OLD DERBEIAN SOCIETY
Obituary
David Cooper (1960-1967) - Organist at Blackburn and Norwich Cathedrals
At Derby School in the mid-sixties, Dave Cooper was a central figure. He played the piano or organ at school assemblies, served as répétiteur for large concerts such as Carmina Burana, organized smaller ones, and acted as page turner for David Newbold, always praying that the score would not again end up in the music master's lap. He was popular with his contemporaries because he combined his extraordinary academic and musical abilities with a down-to-earth sense of humour. In 1967 he was so successful in the Oxford entrance exams that he was able to choose between a music scholarship and an organ scholarship at Lincoln College. In choosing the latter, he set the path for his future career.On graduating in 1970, the year he became a fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Dave studied for a PGCE at York University and took up a post at St Peter's School, York, before returning to Derbyshire to be Director of Music at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Ashbourne, in 1973.
In 1977 new opportunities opened up for him, as he was appointed assistant organist at Wells cathedral. At Wells he worked with world-famous groups such as the English Chamber Orchestra and the Vienna Boys' Choir, and made recordings and broadcasts. His success in this post then led in 1983 to his appointment as organist and master of the choristers at Blackburn Cathedral, an unglamorous setting but one that he relished. His work with the Blackburn choir - he is described as a rigorous but humorous task-master - led to tours through Europe and America, and to performances on Radio 4's Daily Service and BBC1's Songs of Praise. In Blackburn itself he developed the Blackburn Bach Choir into the award-winning Renaissance Singers. He also wrote church music, motets, chants, responses, and anthems that have retained a place in the repertoire of English cathedrals.
In 1994 Dave moved to Norwich Cathedral, again as organist and master of the choristers, but the retirement of his friend the Dean, Paul Burbidge, seems to have been connected with his leaving the post after only one year. After that he concentrated on his work as an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, living in Ripon but spending much of his time in Hong Kong, where he contributed to the life of the university and of St John's Cathedral. His Times obituary describes him as 'a musician of extraordinary talent and dexterity', a brilliant organist', and 'a great teacher and mentor'.
Dave married Lindsey Thorne in 1983. The marriage was dissolved, but she cared for him in his last two years of illness.
Jim McLaverty
Sources: obituaries in The Times (24 September 2008), Independent (1 October 2008), Church Times (31 October 2008); personal knowledge.
