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Carrington D. Excerpts from obituary in Musical Opinion, 1998.
The death of Charles Arthur Myers on 27 Feb, at the age of 74, brings to an end an era of music making by this remarkably active church musician in Lancashire.
Born in Kensington, London an 29 Sept 1923, Charles was educated at the King's School in Worcester. Here he became a Cathedral chorister under Sir Ivor Atkins, where he sang in the last performance to be directed by Sir Edward Elgar. An early interest in the organ led to his becoming an articled pupil of Herbert Sumison at Gloucester Cathedral, leading to a life-long interest in the Three Choirs Festival, where Charles was a rehearsal accompanist.
Many a young man has been fascinated by the cinema organ and Charles was no exception. He studied with John Bee of the West Midlands circuit, becoming proficient in this aspect of performance. In 1988 he gave a superb performance at an evening of silent films following the refurbishment of the Willis Organ in Liverpool's St George's Hall.
His first teaching appointment was at Moncton Combe School, where he first met Rowena Jenner, the School Matron. One of her ancestors was Dr Edward Jenner, who discovered the principle of vaccination against smallpox.
In 1950 when Charles and Rowena were soon to be married, he applied for and was duly appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Clitheroe Church, where he remained until his retirement some years ago. In 1961 he established a series of organ recitals which still continue to the present time. Well known for his recitals in Clitheroe, Charles also gave recitals from Edinburgh to Bristol and beyond and was the soloist on the only LP record of the Clitheroe Parish Church Organ.
The major part of his life was spent teaching music at both the Clitheroe Royal Grammar Schools and to a large number of private pupils. Their examination success rate became legendary and, judging by the hundreds of Christmas cards received each year by Charles and Rowena, he must have been a popular, sympathetic and gifted teacher and she a welcoming hostess. They celebrated their Ruby Wedding in 1990 with a huge party of friends. It was a pleasure to visit their home, full of musical instruments, books and music.
He became editor of Musical Opinion until it changed hands in 1987 when he continued to write and organise The Organ World section.
The Myers' friends always looked forward to receiving their annual Christmas card, invariably featuring a photograph taken by Charles, whose great and principal hobby was photography. It was unfortunate that in his later years failing eyesight became a real hardship.
Charles was a fighter for the causes in which he believed. He was incredibly loyal to his friends and of a kindly and generous disposition. We who are left will mourn his passing whilst remembering, with gratitude, the many moments of musical majesty he brought to our attention.
The Myers Family History -Charles Arthur Myers
Cathy Clarke, Wellington, New Zealand
email: catherine.clarke@clear.net.nz
Last updated: 9 Oct 2009