originally published in 'Beyond the Quire' (August 2021), the newsletter of the Lichfield Cathedral Former Choristers Association by Wealands Bell, former Precentor of Lichfield Cathedral.
Of the many smiling faces I saw on the September Saturday in 2007 when I was installed as Precentor of Lichfield, none gave me more joy than that of Richard Lloyd, attending the Cathedral that day for the usual Evensong for former choristers. This happy meeting renewed a fruitful association with our best-known musical alumnus, leading to the commissioning of new music, and some convivial occasions in 23 The Close, notably his 80th birthday celebration in 2013.
I was a ten-year-old Durham Chorister when Richard arrived as Organist in 1974. With his predecessor in post almost as long as Richard had been alive, he was a much-needed new broom, inspiring each of us to play our part in raising the choir’s profile in a new era. He composed prolifically for us, multiplying his spidery manuscript through the glamorous innovation of the photocopier. His Advent Drop down ye heavens was among my favourites, while his inexhaustible tide of descants was always exhilarating. His rehearsals were enjoyable, punctuated with niche questions on the Prayer Book, music, cricket: correct answers earned sweets or coins, hurled at whichever boy answered successfully.
Yet life was not all fun and English cadences: Richard demanded perfection of himself, and commitment from everyone. Fortunately, standards quickly rose, and we were soon back on Choral Evensong.
Richard’s wife Morwenna and their daughters played a central part in this happy experience, their hospitality offering us respite from the challenging, still-Edwardian regime at school.
Fifty years on, former choristers and colleagues still share ferociously fond memories of Richard, who is honoured and loved more as a friend and father than just as the teacher and musician he quintessentially was. May he rest in peace and rise to loud organs with Christ, Blessed Mary, St Cuthbert and St Chad.
