Peter Brook – a personal reflection
I have been asked to contribute something to the website about Peter Brook who passed away on 29 February 2008, but what does one say when a dearly-loved friend is taken from us in such sudden and tragic circumstances? It is a loss which remains painful to recall and will do so for a very long time to come. I have to confess it is still difficult to put into writing how I feel, and I suspect that the thoughts below will not do Peter justice.
Peter (or Pete as he has always been known to me) was a dedicated member of the back row of the Abbey Choir for over 13 years. He, like so many choirmen over the years, joined as a result of his sons Matthew (Matt to us) and Nicholas (Nick) joining the front row as young choirboys. Pete would never claim to have been the strongest musician or singer in the choir, yet his contribution was important in the overall sound, and in the support he gave to his long-time friend and colleague Geoff Mordan on the Cantoris tenor line.
Pete could be relied upon to be present whenever family and work commitments permitted; indeed the choir was a very important part of his life and always took a very high priority. He felt immensely proud to have been permitted to sing in a choral group of such high standing, and was always highly supportive of everything the choir did, what it achieved, and what it stood for.
Pete served for a number of years on the FORAC Committee, notably including periods as editor of Keynotes, and as Chairman. His calm, down-to-earth and practical approach was always appreciated, together with his gentle and subtle humour. He was highly respected and his opinions highly valued.
For many years the entire Brook family (including Bridget and Meghann) were stalwarts of the annual choir holiday, and at various times amongst other things Pete took on the responsibilities of minibus driver, housemaster, and more recently dormitory inspections with his usual efficiency and commitment.
He was also a key player in the Epiphany Supper Entertainments, never really shaking off the type-casting as a female, or as Earnest Headstrong (of 12 Mill Lane, Romsey). A personal favourite was his part in the backing vocals, together with Jeff Williams, for the song Live And Let Die (sung as Leave a mince pie) in the entertainment focussed on James Bond.
As most readers will know, the Hewett and Brook families were, and remain, extremely close (and indeed are now related by marriage). We have spent many family occasions and holidays together, and words can never express how much Pete will be missed by us all.
But what brought us so close together was our involvement with the Abbey and in particular the choir, a choir which remained so supportive of Pete when things got tough; I know how much we all appreciated the quiet but warm welcome back which Pete was given last autumn.
The music at Peter's funeral was especially poignant, and I am sure that none of us will sing or hear Locus iste or Ubi caritas again without thinking of the wonderful man that was Peter Brook.
Dick Hewett
Abbey Choir, 1986-2007
