Musicians and singers aged from six to sixty-plus rounded off the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival with a final concert celebrating the life of local music teacher the late Jean Middlemiss.
Each of the performances commemorated an aspect of Jean’s contribution to musical education, especially in teaching young musicians; her encouragement as an accompanist to numerous local artists; and her inspiration in supporting and promoting concerts and events.
Joshua Ballance, the festival’s musical director, congratulated local performers for the way they had come together to commemorate Jean’s life, to provide a fitting finale to what had been their most ambitious festival with five concerts spread over the previous two weeks.
Jean, who lived in High Barnet at Ravenscroft Park with her sister Barbara, died in 2020 at the age of 94.
An obituary in The Guardian reflected on the contribution she had made to British musical life describing her as a distinguished musician and teacher.
She studied the innovative method of music teaching inspired in Japan by Dr Shinichi Suzuki – and a performance by the Barnet Suzuki Group was one of the highlights at the concert at Barnet Parish Church.
Hannah Biss, who is the group’s founder and teacher, says she first met Jean after completing her training at Manchester and she gave her every encouragement.
“When I set up my Suzuki group in Barnet, I realised that Jean lived round the corner, and had a stream of children she knew who should learn with me. She came to every single concert I had with my group.
Another group supported by Jean was the Barnet Madrigal Group which performed three of the numbers that she had loved.
In her tribute, Norma King said that Jean had been a committed and enthusiastic member of the Barnet Madrigal Society and her expertise and cheerful personality had contributed so much to the group’s performances over the last 30 years at charity events, lunch clubs and parties in retirement homes.
“Right up to her final days, Jean was not only piano accompanist for the U3A choir but also active in the local musical community.”
The concert opened with a performance by the Barnet Young Cellists with Sara Bethge and Christopher Bevan.
Sara said Jean had worked tirelessly at her aim that every child should have the experience of making great music with others.
“She would be glad to see so many young people performing in her memorial concert.
“Jean was an inspiration to me, not only on the musical side but in her immense appreciation of life and her ability to include us all in her enthusiasms and infectious joie de vivre. She was unique.”
In a tribute after her contribution, Clare Hoffman (violin) said she missed her early morning walks with Jean around the fields at Barnet.
“She would often wear a ‘statement’ summer dress and told me fashion always comes full circle.
“Her lovely 94th birthday part was the best celebration ever. Jean hired a boat to travel the Thames and danced with friends to her favourite songs on the top deck.”
In thanking all the musicians who had taken part in the festival, Joshua Ballance paid tribute to Esi Ugboma (left) and Patricia Yorke whose idea it was to stage a concert to celebrate Jean’s life.
“They pitched the idea of a special concert ten months ago and then set to work, suggesting and choosing the performers and making all the arrangements.”
A retiring collection was held in support of Barnet Carers and the Jean Middlemiss Award which is to be administered by the Robert Anderson Trust and will support the studies of a violist at the Royal College of Music.
