John Railton obituary

My friend and colleague John Railton, who has died aged 83, was an extraordinary musician, composer, conductor and teacher. Musicians wanted to play beyond their comfort zone, deeply believed in the ability of all and committed individuals, groups and communities across Britain and abroad, particularly enjoy working with young musicians.

He was born in Streatham, south London, and was educated at Battersea Grammar School and Cranleigh School, Surrey. He studied organ and piano at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1947, he joined the London Bach Society and for many years helped Paul Steinitz, its founder, pianist and assistant conductor test. He took a teaching position at Ealing Primary School, where his voice became very much in demand by the Choir and Symphony Orchestra BBC playing music outside the normal school with directors such as Charles Mackerras, Dor?ti Antal, Colin Davis, Constantin Silvestri and Pierre Boulez.

In 30 years, who lost his left arm to cancer, but this has not affected his work in Ealing, where he flatly refused to see themselves as being disabled.

For 21 years, he has conducted concerts Ernest Read Music Association Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall. As musical adviser established Hertfordshire County Youth Choir and Youth Choir and Orpheus formed in Hitchin Herts Guild of North Orpheus singers and singers. Solo pianist Kate Elmitt formed a professional association of three piano players, giving recitals in London, Australia and Singapore.

• In his last years in the West taught at Dartington College of Arts, led the choir Dartington community adult groups taught music appreciation and has collaborated with the Bach Festival Cornwall, Singers University of Exeter and Exeter Chamber Choir.

founded and directed the Devon Guild singers and instrumentalists and was organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Church, Ashburton. Among the many pieces transcribed first time, Bach's Chaconne for violin was his favorite.

In 1959, he founded the Ealing Youth Orchestra, which has produced many professional musicians. To celebrate its 80th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the orchestra, made two presentations of Verdi's Requiem, giving these young musicians the opportunity to accompany the first major sacred choral work.

He became a member of the Royal Academy of Music in 1968 and was appointed MBE in 2012.
Find best price for : --Devon----Youth----Festival----Hall----Albert----Ernest----music----Royal----Battersea----John--