We are very sad to announce that a former Chairman of the Society – Anthony McColl – passed away on December 21st after a short illness. He was for over thirty years the subprincipal oboist at the Royal Opera House. He also taught for many years at Eton College. These were roles he was so proud to have held and which he performed with grace and skill.
His funeral service was held at St Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Vine Road, Molesey at 1.30pm on Wednesday January 10th. It was a very well attended occasion including his brother Colin and a large number of family members. A younger relative Samuel McColl played beautifully in part of Bach’s Partita No 2 during the service.
The oboe world was strongly represented, and among those with strong connections to the BDRS and the ROH were Celia Nicklin, David Presly, David Theodore, Graham Salter, and David Thomas, alongside Deirdre Dundas-Grant – a former Chairman – and two former secretaries, Jefferey Cox and David Moore.
The Catholic Mass was led by Fr John Horn.
In the photograph Anthony is shown at a BDRS Dinner Party given for Lady Evelyn Barbirolli in 2001 on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Â Alongside him are bassoonist Deirdre Dundas- Grant and oboist Sarah Francis (and the hand of Bill Waterhouse!).