In loving memory of Anthony Norcliffe G.R.S.M., A.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., A.R.M.C.M. who sadly passed away on 11th November 2017 aged 78 years.
Former head of music at Batley Grammar School and Morley Grammar School, former Director of Music of Morley Music Society and Director of Music at Mill Hill Chapel, Leeds.
I well remember Tony. He asked me to take music for GCE but I chose Geography instead. Still regret my decision. I was part of the choir which performed at Leeds Town Hall. We rehearsed for months to learn Verdi's requiem in latin. He conducted the choir admirably, how he kept all those boys in check I'll never know. A sad loss.
I remember Tony as my music teacher at West Leeds Boys’ High School in the 1960s.
He was an old boy of the school and took the post as music teacher after graduating from the Royal Northern School of Music, Manchester, in 1962/3.
He assembled and rehearsed a large junior choir for a performance at the school Speech Day. I will always remember being part of that choir accompanied by the organ in Leeds Town Hall, with him putting his heart and soul into conducting, to get the best out of us on the night.
I was sad to learn, only recently, that he had passed away.
A very fine musician and teacher. I taught the oboe and cello at Morley Grammar during the mid-70s, Anthony Norcliffe was always welcoming, helpful and kind. His commitment to standards in the Morley Grammar School’s production of Benjamin Britten’s “Noyes Fludde” has never left my memory.
I was very sorry to hear about the sudden death of Anthony Norcliffe. For many years I attended the Organ Recitals at Mill Hill which he arranged.He will be greatly missed.
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