V Chavarría
19-06 2020 19:22
wrote:
We snapped this selfie at the end of conducting auditions in 2018, back when we were allowed to observe. The selfie is really a pretext for the background, which is the panel of three old men in conference. Chris was a serious musician, but he had this cheeky sense of humour that made him a brilliant colleague. Some of our best times together were spent in rehearsals, offering caustic commentary on any number of subjects. He instituted our weekly office hour, which consisted of caffeine, diaries, and gossip. He also taught me to use the Senior Common Room with impunity.
Because of the way College was set up, we didn’t spend as much time together outside of class as we would’ve liked, something I regret. But he was an amazing musician, and he had the measure of me as much as I did of him.
Perhaps most importantly, he challenged the cynicism that runs deep in our profession by proving that you CAN be a good, kind human AND a good conductor and musician. And he did this with a smile and kind word. No matter how hard a day he might’ve had, he always had an ear and a smile, and he made time for you. That is so rare these days.
We’ll miss you, mate. I’ll miss you. Over and out.
-V
V Chavarría
19-06 2020 19:22
wrote:
We snapped this selfie at the end of conducting auditions in 2018, back when we were allowed to observe. The selfie is really a pretext for the background, which is the panel of three old men in conference. Chris was a serious musician, but he had this cheeky sense of humour that made him a brilliant colleague. Some of our best times together were spent in rehearsals, offering caustic commentary on any number of subjects. He instituted our weekly office hour, which consisted of caffeine, diaries, and gossip. He also taught me to use the Senior Common Room with impunity.
Because of the way College was set up, we didn’t spend as much time together outside of class as we would’ve liked, something I regret. But he was an amazing musician, and he had the measure of me as much as I did of him.
Perhaps most importantly, he challenged the cynicism that runs deep in our profession by proving that you CAN be a good, kind human AND a good conductor and musician. And he did this with a smile and kind word. No matter how hard a day he might’ve had, he always had an ear and a smile, and he made time for you. That is so rare these days.
We’ll miss you, mate. I’ll miss you. Over and out.
-V
