Desmond chose Bach for his funeral
MOURNERS at the service for organist Desmond Greef listened to his favourite music – chosen by himself for his own funeral.
More than 200 filled St Mary’s Church at Old Hunstanton on Wednesday in honour of the popular Thornham music teacher and church organist.
Mr Greef, pictured, who was made an MBE in the 2000 New Year’s Honours List for services to music in Norfolk, died in Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 27, aged 75.
Rev Lawrence Campbell, rector of Old Hunstanton and five other coastal parishes, said Mr Greef prepared his own funeral service ten years ago, laying out the music he would like and who he wanted to play it, and his wishes were met.
Distinguished organist Dr Gerald Gifford played at the service and many of Mr Greef’s past pupils and some fellow organists were there.
“Music was his life. He was involved in all sorts of things and was always ready to give advice to anyone about organs and pianos, and to help musicians,” Rev Campbell said. “He was a good violinist, as well as a pianist and organist.”
After being presented with the MBE in the music room at his Thornham home by the then Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Sir Timothy Colman, Mr Greef said: “It was a great honour. It was not just an award for me but for all of the parishes where I have worked.”
He was organist at St Mary’s Church, Old Hunstanton, from 1958 until last October, when he had a stroke and his eyesight deteriorated, and had been involved in playing music at All Saints’ Church, Thornham, from the age of 14.
Mr Greef played at church services even while he was doing national service, at RAF Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire, from 1950 to 1952.
He was director of music at Hunstanton’s Glebe House School from 1958 to 1989 and he acted as a representative in North West Norfolk for the Royal School of Church Music for a number of years until 1995.
Mr Greef was chairman of the annual Hunstanton Festival of Arts music competition until 1990 and he continued to give private tuition in music and singing after leaving Glebe House.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
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