The Beecham School of Music has recently acquired a ‘spinet’, built in 1975 by John Morley. It is the generous donation of OR Dr John Benson (M, 1858-66). The spinet is an early music keyboard instrument similar to a harpsichord, but smaller and made to a design that was more intended for domestic use. We are delighted to now have this instrument in our care, and on February 7th, Simon Walker, Director of Music at Rossall School, visited John in his Wigan music studio to collect the instrument and enjoy a long chat about music and his time at Rossall.

We first looked at the instrument and John posed for a final photo with it. He explained to me that it is very suitable for practising any early keyboard music, but can also find use in an accompanying role, perhaps with a solo singer or instrumentalist, or alongside a cello playing a ‘basso continuo’. As a keyboardist myself, I am looking forward to trying out early repertoire on it, from Byrd and Gibbons, Bach and Handel, perhaps even some Mozart. After the late 18th Century the newly invented pianoforte rendered plucked keyboard instruments a thing of the past, until there was a rediscovered interest in the 20th Century. 

After detaching the legs and carefully lifting the instrument into my Volvo estate, John shared with me some memories of his time at Rossall School. It was at Rossall that he developed his love of music, studying the organ as well as piano, and also the violin and oboe. John started in James House (1958 age 11) and entered Mitre House in 1960, later becoming House Captain. The Assistant Director of Music at the time was George Suart, who was an inspiration to John, along with Keith Burton-Nickson from the Junior School and Reg Pease, the Director of Music. He passed the ARCO diploma (Associate of the Royal College of Organists) in 1965, an exceptional achievement while still at school, and he proudly wore his academic gown in chapel! John went on to Cambridge University as organ scholar of Pembroke College (along with fellow OR John Naylor who took up a choral scholarship at St John’s Cambridge simultaneously.) In later years he also earned a PhD in music from Salford, and the coveted Fellowship diploma from the RCO. 

John’s relationship with Rossall didn’t end when he left school in 1966. Eight years later in 1974 he returned as Assistant Director of Music, just after his marriage to Rita. Around this time the chapel organ was rebuilt, and John emphasised to me that he did not approve of some tonal changes made to the instrument at the time! He was pleased to hear that the instrument was part-restored and returned to its 1920’s specification a couple of years ago thanks to Rossall Foundation funding. Deciding to go into private teaching back in Wigan, John left his post at Rossall in 1977. However he continued to visit school once a week to assist with, and later run, the CCF RAF section until 1995. After he qualified as a flying instructor in 1981, he was able to officially instruct RAF cadets in flying at Blackpool Airport. There was the occasional return in the 80s to help with accompaniments and concerts/recitals, in addition to a freelance work which took him to cathedrals right across the country.  

When I asked John about which memories he recalls the most from his early days at Rossall, he told me about the fire that ravaged Fleur de Lys in his first term in 1958. He happened to have his camera handy and showed me black and white photos that he took of smoke billowing from the roof! John also remembered the exceptionally cold outdoor swimming pool, (unheated sea water!) and the full sized snooker table located in the school hospital. Mr Suart also ran the photography lab and the observatory, so John naturally followed this interest too, even gaining permission to keep some lenses at home so he could visit the observatory and stargaze during the holidays! One slightly dubious recollection from John's last year was his decision, as vice school captain, to administer the whole school with a ‘School Parade’ sanction as a consequence of excessive noise during the supper time grace, which was said in Latin by the senior master or school monitor. Students and cadets were still reminding him of this legendary act 30 years later!

As a lifelong organist and choral musician myself, it was most inspiring to talk to John about his musical career and wider interests. He has had a varied and rich life. I was really glad to hear how he had enjoyed his time at Rossall, and gained so much from it. He told me he was delighted to have made contact again with Rossall after 30 years.  Before it was time for me to leave, John played me the ‘Carmen Rosalliense’ from memory on his Bechstein grand piano, and he was thrilled to hear that every pupil in the school is still taught to sing it, and expected to perform it exuberantly at assembly each week.