Alan H. Morris (1904 -1996)

With the passing of Alan Morris we have lost a self-effacing yet steadfast supporter of the Society and its teaching. He was one of a group of organists who have, not alone of course, contributed to standards 0(general musicianship among us. There were to start with Gilbert Curtis and Dr. (of Music) Laurence West, soon joined by Alan and later by Charles Cleall. Of these we still have the two who are Fellows of the Royal College of Organists, Laurie at lOO years old having enjoyed that status for 82 years. Alan himself was an Associate of the College though not a musician by profession, while Gilbert, though a dazzling performer, thought that as a non-professional he should not seek those honours.

Alan and I first met during the second war. He was at the time organist of a church in north London and wanted to know what he should expect of his choir and how to help them give of their best. So he came to me for lessons in a house next door to the one at number 5 Marlborough (later Mercator) Road, Lewisham, where I had had my first lessons with EGW. The flat had in fact been recommended to me by Mrs White, still living in the west country after Ernest George's death. But it was hit by a flying bomb in the summer of 1944, when fortunately no one was at home, and thereafter we worked under difficulties. But Alan stuck at it, and though without pretensions as a singer himself, developed a pleasing light baritone. Regrettably there was no opportunity to persuade him to sing at out meetings.

But we formed a firm and lasting friendship and he readily gave his support to the newly formed Society. Until he came on the scene we had no professionally qualified treasurer. Alan was an accountant, in charge of the financial affairs of the University College Hospital Medical School. So when the vacancy occurred, in 1967 soon after the Society became a charitable Trust, he was the inevitable, timely and willing choice for a new Treasurer of the Society, accepting a responsibility which he bore ably and faithfully for as long as 24 years almost. That was his tribute for the help that EGW had, if indirectly, afforded him in his "spare time activity". He has been replaced as Treasurer, but is sadly missed as a quiet and reliable friend and colleague. As one contributor to our celebration of his 80th birthday wrote: "We should be hard pressed to find his equal for courtesy and efficiency".

Arthur Hewlett