Chapter Ten - ‘You’ve never had it so good’, 1959–91

Summary

‘Indeed, let us be frank about it – most of our people have never had it so good.’

The period 1959–91 was a very good one for the Musical Society. David Willcocks (he was not knighted until 1977) conducted many of the concerts from March 1959 until November 1987. In addition, in 1972, Michael Rose was appointed county music advisor in succession to Roy Rimmer, and he also regularly conducted the Musical Society's concerts from that period.

Following the announcement of Clarence Raybould's resignation at an emergency committee meeting in May 1958, Thurston Dart was booked to conduct Bach's St John Passion with Philomusica, on 10 March 1959. Philomusica could not keep the engagement and asked for the booking to be changed to 11 March. However, this was not possible. It was a decision that was to have momentous consequences. At the 23 July committee meeting, it was reported that approaches had been made to David Willcocks about conducting the St John Passion and providing a small orchestra. He subsequently agreed, and arranged for the Jacques Orchestra to play. The arrangements were confirmed at the 19 November committee meeting and the concert was duly held.

The review of the concert, by J.H.M.S., was very enthusiastic: ‘The performance … was a tour de force for Mr. William Herbert, the tenor soloist, and for the Society's chorus … Stimulated by the clear and forceful leadership of Mr. David Willcocks who conducted, they made of the chorales delicate traceries of sound which could not be bettered.’

The Musical Society was incredibly lucky to have been able to engage David Willcocks. He conducted the Musical Society when he was at his peak – as director of music at King's College, Cambridge, as principal of the Royal College of Music, and while he was conductor of the Bach Choir.

David Willcocks (1919–2015)

David Willcocks was born in Newquay, Cornwall, where his father was the manager of Barclays Bank. His parents were not particularly musical, though his father had sung in a church choir. David Willcocks’ exceptional voice was recognised early, and his parents were advised that he should audition for Westminster Abbey choir; he sang in that choir for four years. His voice broke early at the age of twelve.