|
|
In
1990, during the time when two of Gordon’s most
advanced students were attending the Junior Department
of Trinity College of Music Gordon he was invited by the
principal, Harold Jones to join the staff as ’cello
teacher. This was the start of an exciting time of expansion
of the string department and of its activities. Gordon
approached the task with enthusiasm and eagerness to raise
standards and to help his students to develop their talents
to the full.
He
pushed for more time to be given to string chamber music
and coached many string quartets himself, taking some
to perform in Masterclasses and Competitions outside the
College along with his ’cello students. He was soon
invited to help with auditions, assessments and orchestral
and ensemble work and enjoyed a very fruitful working
relationship with the new principal, Mark Ray until Mark
left to take up an appointment at the Royal Northern College
of Music. He found the job enjoyable and rewarding with
its large number of talented, interesting and enthusiastic
pupils, many of whom developed remarkably well and went
on to study at some of our top music conservatoires, including
The Royal Academy of Music, The Royal College of Music,
The Guildhall College of Music and Drama, The Royal Northern
College of Music, the Brimingham Conservatoire and Trinity
College of Music.
Following
a HEFCE recommendation that the college would benefit
from coordinators for its individual departments, Gordon
was appointed Co-ordinator of the String Department in
September 1997. It gave him the opportunity to continue
his work to expand and improve standards and to |
|
give
the students experience in performance in all areas. He
introduced master classes for instrumentalists and for
string quartets. Each year he prepares three string quartets
to participate in masterclasses given by the world famous
Wihan String Quartet, the occasion being funded by the
CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust.
As
a result of his devoted and tireless efforts and success
in the Trinity College of Music Junior Department, Gordon
was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Trinity College
of Music in 2002. This is one of the greatest honours
awarded by the college and Gordon was the first (and,
so far, only) staff member of the Junior Department in
its 100-year history to have been honoured in this way.
It was fitting that one of the string quartets trained
by Gordon in the Junior College played at the degree ceremony
at which Gordon was honoured. The string quartet playing
in the Junior College reached such high standards under
Gordon’s guidance that it became a custom for one
of them to play at the Senior College Degree ceremonies
and at the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust Senior College
Chamber Music Competition for many years and at other
events in the college calendar, more recently the celebration
of Junior Trinity College’s centenary.
Marion
Friend followed Mark Ray as director of Junior Trinity
College and under her guidance the department has expanded
considerably. Gordon continues his work as ’cello
teacher and Chamber Music coach with enthusiasm and enjoyment.
|