In memoriam Ian Horsbrugh AEC Honorary President

In memoriam Ian Horsbrugh
(1941-2006)
AEC Honorary President
IAN HORSBRUGH
Music leader whose influence helped to shape European conservatoires
Ian Horsbrugh, who has died age 64, had a passion for music, education and life which he
shared with countless children, students, musicians and actors. As Principal of the Guildhall
School of Music & Drama, his warmth, humour, openness and inclusiveness helped to bring
a sense of perspective in the at times rarefied world of classical music. These qualities also
served him well as an outstanding President of the European Association of Conservatoires
(AEC), whose vision and commitment enabled the organisation to become a major player in
the European cultural and educational arena.
INTRODUCTIO N
When Ian Horsbrugh died so unexpectedly during the summer of 2006, a message was
sent out from the AEC Office to announce this tragic news. Although the message was sent in
the middle of the summer, a large amount of responses were sent by colleagues from all over
the world. We are very grateful for having received so many moving messages.
In preparation for the Memorial Event for Ian taking place at St. Giles Church in the Barbican on 27 November, the AEC decided to produce this little book with some personal
memories of Ian. It also contains an obituary written by Peter Renshaw written for The
Guardian and a CD recording made of the concert dedicated to Ian during the Peter the Great
Festival in Groningen.
Hopefully this small publication will help us keep the memories of this great man alive.
Johannes Johansson (AEC President) and Martin Prchal (AEC Chief Executive)
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Born in Welwyn Garden City, Ian was educated at Colet Court School, St. Paul’s and Morley College, where he met Caroline, his wife and loyal supporter for 41 years. His enthusiasm
for music crystallised comparatively late at the age of 17 and he entered the Guildhall in 1962,
where he studied piano, with Sydney Harrison, ‘cello and conducting. Ian’s love of conducting stemmed from directing a performance of Mozart’s Magic Flute at Morley College, whilst
at the Guildhall he ran a student orchestra led by Peter Cropper, later leader of the Lindsay
Quartet. After further study on the keyboard with David Parkhouse at the Royal College of
Music, Ian began his career as a pianist and arranger for the Royal Ballet, moving on to the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as Concert Manager.
His long-standing interest in education began in 1968 when he trained to be a teacher at
Philippa Fawcett College of Education. From 1969 – 1979 Ian was Head of Music in two London
comprehensive schools. The challenge of working in such culturally diverse environments
helped to inform his later work in Higher Education with its developing commitment to
widening opportunities and social inclusion. He was then appointed Deputy Warden of the
Inner London Education Authority Music Centre with specific responsibility for organising
holiday music courses, including the London Schools Symphony Orchestra and overseas tours.
At the hub of contact between schools and the London orchestras, he developed schemes for
pupils to attend public concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and for musicians from the orchestras to visit schools. Ian’s role in initiating these partnerships (e.g., with Michael Viner and
the London Sinfonietta and with Michael Kaye, Managing Director of the Royal Festival Hall),
was actively encouraged by John Stephens, then ILEA’s Staff Inspector for Music, and they
sowed the seeds for the Education programmes that are now integral to the work of all orchestras. By bringing professional musicians and schools closer together Ian’s work enriched the
lives of many pupils, teachers and musicians.
This dual background of working with schools and the profession served as an ideal
springboard for Ian’s senior management roles in conservatoires: first, as Vice-Director of the
Royal College of Music from 1985 – 1988 and then as Principal of the Guildhall from 1988 to
his retirement in 2002. In both positions he brought a capacity to support others in making
their ideas come alive. This could only have been achieved by being able to listen well and to
understand the essentials of music. He had the skill of being able to embrace apparently contradictory viewpoints and find a middle way. One of his many strengths was to give everyone
space to flourish in their fields of practice and at the Guildhall he was always keen to promote
new developments, such as the introduction of degrees in performance through City University, the creation of a Research Centre in Teaching and Learning, and the initial exploration
of a new building at Milton Court. Whilst a firm advocate for quality in the more traditional,
specialist areas of music and drama, he also openly encouraged creativity, collaboration and
innovation. He wanted to move conservatoires into the 21st Century. Long before it was politically fashionable, Ian was the living embodiment of ‘access’ and ‘inclusion’. He greatly
appreciated the diversity of the music world and cherished the opportunity to see first-hand
new work in the widest possible range of settings, be it in a school in East London, a festival
in Australia or a conference in Rumania. His natural ease in different contexts came through
his connection to people and a genuine sense of the value of participation in the arts. This
sense of inclusiveness led to him being particularly appreciative of cross-arts collaborations, a
dimension of work at the Guildhall that was a constant pride to him.
Ian brought a much respected sense of community to the Guildhall through his own personality and through initiatives such as the Principal’s Address at the start of each term, the
Guildhall Festival every Christmas and his conducting a light-hearted showcase in the Barbican to mark his retirement. To achieve this at a conservatoire was nothing short of an extraordinary achievement. So much of this was not only Ian, but also Ian and Caroline. It brought
humanity and a sense of family to every project, event or challenge faced by the Guildhall.
Ian always had a lively international outlook but his distinguished contribution to the
AEC marked him as a strong European. During his Presidency from 1996 to 2004, he helped
to steer the AEC through a fundamental period of change and development. It was not long
before the organisation began to flourish, thanks to the shared leadership of Ian and Martin
Prchal, the Chief Executive. The AEC regained its sense of purpose with its membership growing substantially and it becoming a strong independent organisation, moving from Paris to
Utrecht in 2001. With the establishment by the AEC of the ERASMUS Thematic Network for
Music ‘Polifonia’ in 2004, music was accepted for the first time as an autonomous discipline
in the Thematic Network system in the ERASMUS Programme of the EU. Politically the AEC
became very active in helping to shape and implement the future of music training within
the Bologna Declaration process. Ian was at the core of these developments and as a mark of
respect for his leadership he was given the title AEC Honorary President in 2004.
tion in The Netherlands. As a mark of recognition for his services to music Ian was awarded
honorary doctorates from City University and the New England Conservatory of Music in
Boston, and fellowships from the Guildhall, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy
of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music &
Dramatic Art.
The former Chief Executive of London Arts, Sue Robertson, recently made a very perceptive comment about Ian: “He always appeared quietly amused by the noise and jostling of
arts politics and could courteously cut through pomposity or posturing of any kind. Keen to
encourage and support new ideas and new ways of working, he remained essentially practical
and committed to what he saw to be the core values of music and education. He had a genial contempt for unnecessary bureaucracy and was not one for long discussions of policy or
protocol, preferring simply to get on with sorting out a problem or helping to make things
happen – in particular with creating more opportunities for people to enjoy and take part in
music-making of the highest quality”.
This practical approach helped to drive Ian in recent years when he greatly valued the opportunity to build his own home in southern France. His capacity to learn on the job and ‘to
make it happen’ with a light-hearted and amiable edge was perhaps typical of his whole life.
Ian will be remembered with much affection by many colleagues and friends. He is survived
by his wife and staunch ally, Caroline, and his four children, Ben, Lucy, Candy and Matt.
Peter Renshaw for ‘The Guardian’, August 2006
As in his personal life, Ian’s career was characterised by wide-ranging interests, including
broadcasting, music criticism and writing. In 1981 he published the first biography in English of the Czech composer Leos Janácek. He was also much in demand on committees and
Boards. He sat on the Arts Council’s Music Panel (chairing its New Music Sub-Committee),
was Chair of the New MacNaughton Concerts, Chair of the Committee of Heads of Music Colleges (1990-94), member of the Music Advisory Committee of the British Council, the Countess
of Munster Musical Trust, the Piccolo Concerts and the National Studio at the South Bank.
As a trustee he served on the London Arts Board (1991-99), the Bath Festivals Board, English
Touring Opera, City of London Festival and the Purcell School. In 1994 he was a member of the
Hoffman Enquiry into London Orchestras and in 2004 chaired an international committee
that produced a report, Conservatoires in Transition, for the Inspectorate of Higher Educa-
On stage at the Oviedo Congress with Peter Renshaw
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A PERSONAL MEMORY OF IAN
It was always a great pleasure to meet with Ian at some of the numerous AEC gatherings
in Utrecht or elsewhere. This is a memory to cherish and to be thankful for. AEC meetings
with Ian were always longed for as opportunities to see a very good friend, and at the same
time one always experienced his amazing leadership. He was blessed with the gift of being
able to create a very special atmosphere of ease around him. He radiated a friendship and an
openness that made all of us feel safe and made us experience joy and freedom in the group.
This sense of freedom should not be mistaken for indolence towards the work we had to do.
On the contrary, it released everyone’s capacity and helped everyone to focus on the task.
Ian led all working sessions gently but firmly and always gave everyone space to contribute.
When group members lost track during discussion and were carried away too far along some
side-line idea, a kind word from Ian brought them back to the subject. His sense of humour
and wit always offered a way out when arguments sometimes led to clashes of opinions.
The first time I met Ian was at a meeting of a TEMPUS-project in Prague in the early nineties. My involvement in this European project was somewhat of a coincidence: being a cello
student at the coordinating institution (the Utrecht Conservatory) at the time, I had no intentions being part of the project’s management, but was invited to help out simply because
I spoke Czech. In Prague, the directors of institutions involved in the project came together
and from that meeting I remember clearly Ian’s remarkable kindness and genuine interest. At
that time, I had certainly no idea of how close we would become many years later.
It has been said that it was due to Ian’s leadership that the AEC regained its sense of purpose. I think this is very true and worth constant consideration. He always understood the
deepest meaning of higher music education. He reminded us all of the true mission behind
all academic, political or strategic implications that influences the work in an international
organization like the AEC. His love for music and his commitment to give new generations of
young people the best possible preparation for a life in music guided his vision at all times.
The rare combination of a clear and powerful vision and a gentle hand with people made Ian’s
leadership so special. The phrase suaviter in modo, fortiter in re applies very well on Ian’s
leadership. He had an exceptional ability to combine his own strong visions with a generously
supportive and encouraging approach to people around him.
I miss Ian immensely, but his leadership is a great source of inspiration to me and many
of us. I feel a humble gratitude to have had the privilege to work together with Ian closely
during several years in the AEC.
Johannes Johansson, AEC President
Another memorable moment was an event Ian organised at the Guildhall in 1998, inviting representatives from European conservatoires to meet for a two-day seminar. During
this meeting, it was clear there was a feeling in the air that the AEC needed a new direction.
This ‘feeling’ became reality later that year, when Ian was elected AEC President and MarcOlivier Dupin (director of the Conservatoire de Paris at the time) AEC Secretary General
during the General Assembly in Copenhagen. This formidable duo gave the AEC an enormous
push, supported by Isabelle Replumaz from the AEC Office in Paris. However, Ian had a vision
that was even more ambitious: he understood that, if the AEC wanted its growth to continue,
it would need to operate with a permanent base and staff, instead of moving the office each
time with the election of a new Secretary General. A plan, including a move of the AEC Office
to The Netherlands and the appointment of a chief executive, was developed and presented
to the membership during the General Assembly in Vicenza in 2000. I will never forget how
Ian presented this plan (which was not without controversy) step by step during the extraordinary General Assembly, sitting completely alone on the stage of the hall the meeting took
place. I was impressed by his diplomacy, vision and courage at that important moment in the
Association’s history.
In early 2001, the AEC Office was moved to Utrecht and I was appointed by Ian as the first
AEC Chief Executive. Until this day, I am grateful to Ian for his confidence and trust by giving
me this assignment. During the first year in Utrecht, the situation was quite unstable. But all
went well due to Ian’s leadership and constant encouragement to me and my newly appointed
colleague Janneke Vrijland. The situation was also greatly advanced by the efficient approach
to the Association’s financial situation by the new Secretary General Johannes Johansson,
and the support given by Rineke Smilde (later AEC vice-president) and her Conservatoire in
Groningen to the organisation of the AEC 2001 Annual Congress.
With his successor Johannes Johansson
In the years that followed, Ian and I worked closely together. When he was still principal
of the Guildhall School, I visited him there regularly. I enjoyed these trips to London, as I was
always warmly welcomed by Ian and his staff, and somehow Ian would always give the impression he had plenty of time to talk to me; one would almost forget that his main obligation was
to run a highly prestigious music college. After his retirement, he had even more time to devote to the Association, which was very important at the time, as there were many issues to be
taken care of. We were in regular contact, and his advice and guidance were always helpful and
effective: whenever I called him with something I thought was a major problem, after talking
to Ian it had evolved into a minor problem. In 2004, we reached the AEC General Assembly in
Oviedo, when Ian stepped down as AEC President. This was such an emotional moment that I
left the stage during the General Assembly, afraid that I would burst into tears. Fortunately, I
learned very quickly that in Johannes the AEC had found another brilliant President and that
Ian would remain involved due to his appointment as Honorary President.
Over the years, I witnessed Ian at many, many occasions, ranging from AEC Congresses
and Council meetings to sessions with Eurocrats in Brussels. I was always impressed how he
functioned in these situations. He showed great respect for cultural diversity in the European setting of the AEC, and a genuine interest in the views of the persons present, giving
space to people to contribute. His behaviour was always impeccably correct, but at the same
time he knew what he wanted to achieve. I was also very impressed by Ian when he chaired
the audition committees for the Dutch ‘Support Scheme for Young Talented Musicians’, for
which I acted as the coordinator for a short time. The way he handled the committee experts,
the teachers and the students not only showed his exceptional leadership skills, but also his
profound musical knowledge and understanding of conservatoire training. I also clearly remember several of his brilliant speeches, such as at the 50th Anniversary AEC Congress in
Karlsruhe or at a meeting for Dutch conservatoires after Ian had chaired a review of the institutions in The Netherlands in 2003. At some point, I even found out that Ian had written the
first English biography of my favourite composer Leos Janácek. I discovered this not because
Ian had told me so, but because I found the book in a second-hand book shop in London. This
was typical of Ian: achieve great things and then move on quietly.
ing something was terribly wrong. Back home, I heard a message from Peter Renshaw Ian had
passed away that afternoon.
Ian’s funeral took place on 1 August. It was a sober but beautiful service and it was encouraging to see so many persons had come to pay a last tribute to Ian. I greatly admired Caroline
and her children for their courage, but watching Ian’s coffin being carried out of the church
was unbearable. The service was followed by a convivial party, very much ‘Ian-style’. Back in
the AEC Office the following day, I found it impossible to concentrate, as I was surrounded
by matters with a direct connection to Ian. I simply could not imagine working for the AEC
with him no longer there. But as days passed by, it occurred to me that Ian would hate to see
people depressed and that he would want the AEC, so very much his brain child, to continue
in its development. It gave me and my colleagues a renewed purpose to work even harder for
this remarkable organisation.
I believe that in our lives people exist that come at crucial moments and help us to move
ahead. For me, Ian was exactly such a person. I will always be deeply grateful for his confidence, guidance, friendship and for all the many, many things I learned from him.
Martin Prchal, AEC Chief Executive
Utrecht, October 2006
We travelled together extensively during these years and this was always a pleasant experience. Ian would always ask about my wife and children, and kept me informed about the
grand project he and Caroline had started with the renovation of their house in France. I never
saw him in a bad mood, distracted or stressed. And of course his famous sense of humour
made it even more enjoyable. I remember how we once arrived at a hotel (I am afraid I can’t
remember where it exactly was) and somehow a double room had been mistakenly reserved
for ‘Mr Horsbrugh and Mrs Prchal’. Ian, at his best in such moments, looked at me and said:
“Oh Martin, I love you dearly, but I do not think you could stand my snoring”.
The last time I saw Ian was during a meeting of the AEC ‘Mundus Musicalis’ project in
Trondheim in May 2006, during which Ian was present in his capacity as external evaluator.
During the flight there, Ian told me he was experiencing some stomach problems. One could
see he had lost some weight. But during the weekend, he was fine and even managed to create
an embarrassing moment for me at the meeting, when he pointed out friendly but clearly I
was giving information that was not quite identical to the application I had written for the
European Union. That was typically Ian too: he could be very to-the-point during a meeting,
but afterwards we all had a good time over a drink or meal.
With Martin Prchal and George Caird
Ian got very seriously ill after the Trondheim meeting. During the following weeks, I was
in almost daily contact with Caroline and during June it seemed he would recover. In July,
however, his situation deteriorated and it became clear very quickly there was nothing the
doctors could do. On 22 July during our summer holidays, I went swimming in the sea with
my 4-year old daughter Larissa. We had a wonderful time, but suddenly I got the strong feel-
Dearest Ian,
I remember as if it were yesterday our first meeting in January 1992 – I had come to London with Xavier Darasse to renew the relationship with Guildhall and the Conservatoire. You
greeted us with such warmth, humour and cheerfulness that we felt immediately at home,
knowing we had met a new and wonderful friend.
From then on, our paths crossed often, in literally dozens of European cities – we would
share a meal and when there was free time, venture out to explore, something you did with zest
and a sense of wonder. You had this immense curiosity, respect and openness to other cultures,
and ultimately this would lead to the magical years when you lead the AEC with such abundant vision and wisdom, bringing your brilliant analytical skills, vision and love of people.
You were someone who never stopped growing: when you decided, with Caroline, to buy
a house in southern France you set to learning French – how I admired your determination!
– relishing the challenge with your proverbial sense of humour. I remember being amazed
when, at a breakfast in Lisbon a year before your death, you spoke of the math courses you
were taking with the Open University, stepping up to a challenge that would make you think
differently. Your modesty and enthusiasm made it all seem so simple...similarly, you spoke of
the house renovations and your delight in working manually with the multitude of friends
you’d made in France.
Above and beyond our professional ties – above all else, you were a dear and wonderful
friend. One of our favourite activities when we got together was to share our latest readings,
often passing books one to one another. We shared good times and bad, and when I was having a particularly hard time, your support and kindness made a world of difference. You were
loyal in friendship, generous, warm, and kind.
The memories are as varied as a kaleidoscope: what ties them together is this gift you had
of living in the present, your hope and vitality, your ability to make connections, your immense kindness and generosity, and your profound respect for each and every one of us. This
capacity to be fully present, wherever you found yourself, was in fact the ultimate gift to us all.
And so it is that I can hear your wonderful laugh even now, I can see your sparkling eyes, and I
can feel the warmth of your being. I shall miss you terribly, but know too that you will be with
me always.
Dear Ian
Il y a deux façons de cultiver la mémoire, celle qui se nourrit de la nostalgie du souvenir
en revisitant et interrogeant le passé et celle qui prend corps dans le présent, une mémoire en
acte, vivante, qui restitue du sens.
Je crois intimement que c’est cette dernière que nous partagions.
Nous nous sommes rencontrés peu de fois mais il m’a toujours semblé que nous nous connaissions depuis bien longtemps.
La musique bien sûr, mais aussi le rugby, la dégustation toute sensuelle d’un bon vin français
jusqu’à cette région, l’Ariège, où tu étais installé et où était née ma grand mère, rythmaient
invariablement nos conversations.
Conversations qui traduisaient la vivacité de ton esprit mêlant le léger et le grave avec toujours ce recul pudique d’un humour exquis qui m’amenait délicieusement au rire que je ne
pouvais parfois contenir.
Tu t’amusais avec une juste malice de mon si détestable accent anglais et m’assurais à chaque
fois de mes maigres progrès. Alors nous rêvions à cette musique des langues qui te permettait
d’échanger avec ce peuple languedocien à l’expression rude et imagée, parmi lequel tu avais
choisi de vivre. J’en recevais en retour des témoignages et des interprétations que traduisait la
force d’une vision poétique où ta pensée aimait se tenir.
Ian, ce n’est pas ton absence ce manque abstrait, mais ta présence qui réunit maintenant “l’Assemblée des Musiciens”, tes amis de la Guidhall, de l’AEC et ceux qui ont croisés ta
route.
Nous sommes tes héritiers Ian.
Déjà, tu accompagne notre marche.
ADESSIAS IAN! Comme tu as du l’entendre si souvent en Languedoc.
Tu sais aussi que ce terme est intraduisible en anglais comme en Français avec le mystère de
ce double sens: Adieu et Bonjour assemblés dans la même locution.
Je vais ce samedi assister au match France/All Blacks.Mais, comme d’habitude, tu auras le
résultat avant moi.
Henry Fourès, CNSMD de Lyon
With all my love,
Gretchen Amussen, Conservatoire de Paris
With Laima Bakiene, Gretchen Amussen and Herb Koerselman
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Ian Horsbrugh , an inspiring example
The account of my friendship with Ian, meant as a contribution to him, will be quite a
personal one. Those of us who have known him will hopefully recognise a lot; those who have
not known him will hopefully understand more of him after having read this.
Ian has been a great influence on my professional development. My first encounter with
the AEC was during a visit to the Luxembourg Conference in 1995. The programme intrigued
me; professional integration being one of its core themes, prepared by the Conservatoire de
Paris and initiated by Marc Olivier Dupin, who was director there at that time. I felt enormously inspired, both by what happened in the programme and by the people I met informally. Ian Horsbrugh was one of them. I liked him tremendously from the very first moment
and we got along extremely well, which lead to a friendship that lasted until the end of his
life. He told me about the Guildhall School, about his wife Caroline and their four children. At
some point we had dinner, together with Martin Prchal and Gretchen Amussen and Martin
told us enthusiastically that he had found Ian’s book about Janacek in a bookshop. Ian then
asked us whether we were aware that he was writing a new book. We said, ‘we haven’t heard,
what is it about?’ Ian answered, ‘well, it’s called Gretchen, her True Story!’
The next time I met Ian was in The Hague in the beginning of 1996. The Guildhall School
and the Royal Conservatoire had given shape to a joint production of Purcell’s Fairy Queen
and we met while attending one of the performances. On that occasion he told me that he
meant to organise a meeting in the Guildhall School in May, in order to go on with the many
good discussions that took place at the last conference in Luxembourg. He felt that, having
met so many ‘angry young people’ full of ideas and commitment, it was time for the AEC to
do more than just have annual conferences. He wanted to develop this idea and asked me
whether I would like to attend. I was more than happy to. The meeting at the Guildhall School
was immensely inspiring and to my idea it was the very beginning of a rich and fruitful time
in the AEC. From that moment on ideas that had been picked up and worked out by several
people were given shape in various European projects.
Ian was a great friend and supporter. When, in 1998, I had a really hard time in the school because of budget cuts, reorganisations and a merger, he was always very supportive, by phoning me regularly and encouraging me. I was very honoured when in 2001 I was chosen as
honorary member of the Guildhall School, and even more so when Ian took the effort to come
all the way to Groningen, together with Caroline, at my resignation as director of the North
Netherlands Conservatoire in 2003, to give a speech at my goodbye ceremony.
Last, but not least, the memories of having fun together are numerous. The idea of having
a cider pouring contest, for example, emerged in Oviedo in 2001, when we were there together
with Cristobal Zamora for a pilot project in the framework of the AEC project Promuse on
Continuing Education.
Ian brought together the ‘formal and informal’ in the AEC. He did this with warmth and
humour, but first and foremost by being and always remaining himself, and by his real and
genuine interest in other people. We honoured him by dedicating a concert to his memory
on August 8, 2006 in Groningen, exactly one week after we had to say our farewells to him in
London. Cellist Michel Strauss and pianist Macha Beloovssova gave a recital in his honour.
And it goes without saying that Janáçek was included.
Rineke Smilde, Prince Claus Conservatoire Groningen
Ian was chosen as President of the AEC in the same year, 1996, at the Copenhagen conference. That was the start of a really prosperous time in the AEC. One year later, at the Brussels
Conference, I was elected to the AEC Council, and I served in this group until November 2005.
This means that we worked together closely for seven years. It became a period of great and
important changes, the biggest of them being the emergence of the AEC as a really professional organisation with an office in Utrecht, lead by a chief executive.
These were wonderful and inspirational years. Ian was a kind of mentor to me, in the
first place by the example he set in the way he lead the council. He showed great faith in me
by inviting me to take on a role in diverse working groups. I am very grateful to him for this,
because it brought me so much, and helped me shape my professional development.
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With AEC Council members Thüring Bräm, Dan Buciu, Erling Aksdal and Rineke Smilde
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Hommage à I an
R emembering Ian H orsbrugh
Ian, que j’ai découvert grâce à l’AEC, avait le don particulier de mettre toujours tout le
monde à l’aise, d’écouter, de faire confiance. Fin psychologue et grand humaniste, il a créé
une ambiance et inculqué une méthode de travail et d’action qui auront marqué l’histoire de
l’AEC.
Ian was for me the perfect example of a good leader. He could listen and he showed respect
to whatever partner he was meeting. I remember a scene within AEC when some English
members insisted that something had to be done their way. When I intervened with a remark
that what was good for the British schools right now may not be the same for the schools in
smaller countries like Lithuania, Albania or Switzerland, he answered: “Sorry, did we think
too much in colonial terms again?” And with that light touch, he had everybody smiling and
on his side. His main idea was that Europe should think together, in a unifying way.
Sur un plan plus personnel, lié sûrement au fait que Ian aimait mon pays et y habitait
de plus en plus souvent, nous avions une relation amicale, à la fois sérieuse et rieuse, qui me
faisait toujours attendre avec plaisir la prochaine rencontre.
Sa profonde gentillesse, sa grande sensibilité et son humilité n’avaient d’égal que la très
grande intelligence avec laquelle il appréhendait les situations et imaginait l’avenir.
Ian m’a tout de suite manqué, mais je garde précieusement son souvenir.
Marie-Claude SEGARD, Conservatoire National de Région de Strasbourg
Among the interviews I regularly wrote for our university newspaper was one with Ian
about leadership. One of my questions was: What are the most important skills the head of a
conservatory needs in order not only to survive but also to have the authority and the respect
needed to bring changes about?
Ian’s reply: “Such a person needs a thick skin, a lot of musical knowledge, as well as psychological intuition in order to deal with all kinds of people, i.e. he must listen, try to understand,
motivate and create new opportunities for their growth. One has to be aware about how to
deal with one’s own, but also the other-person’s anger and frustrations. One has to be able to
realize great visions and implement them with generous thinking, in a diplomatic way. One
has to accept mistakes and to survive criticism. And in spite of all the respect for the many
existing opinions one has to have one’s own point-of-view which one has to communicate.”
Concerning dealing with students, he said: “One has to have an immense knowledge
about musical thinking and one has to understand how young people function. One needs
professional skills, political awareness plus mental and physical energy.” To which he added:
“The balance to this challenge comes in my case from private life.”
What I value about these words is the fact that they were not just words. Ian lived and
acted according to these ideas. He never lost the vision of excellent music making as a tool for
maintaining a sense of community on a high cultural level.
In the AEC, we all felt his convictions and wanted to work together with him on the global building of humanity through the means of music. I can only say: Thank you, Ian, for all
you shared with us.
Thüring Bräm, conductor and composer
Member of the AEC Council 2000-2006
Former director of the Lucerne Conservatory in Switzerland
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October 2006
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Cher Ian, ta disparition est cruelle. Elle touche tant de proches qui t’aiment.
The University Mozarteum is deeply grieved by the death of Ian HORSBRUGH, the remarkable President of the AEC from 1996 to 2004. All members of our institution who had the
plea-sure to meet Ian would like to express their hard felt regrets.
Je pense souvent à ces innombrables moments passés avec toi. Nous avons beaucoup et
bien travaillé ensemble. Grâce à toi, nous avons véritablement réalisé une révolution culturelle au sein de l’AEC. Du congrès de Lisbonne au développement de ces dernières années,
cette association est passée d’un club de gentleman pompeux, à une organisation véritablement moderne au service des étudiants, des enseignants et des responsables musicaux de
l’Europe d’aujourd’hui.
Par ton sens de la diplomatie, ton humour extraordinaire, ta voix douce et ton anglais
toujours distingué, tu savais faire prendre les tournants les plus raides avec une souplesse de
chat. Tu embobinais les plus réactionnaires avec un savoir-faire tellement drôle ; tu calmais
les plus cosaques – dont je faisais partie -, avec sérénité. Te voyant faire, je pensais parfois en
réunion, à l’un de mes auteurs favoris, P.G. Woodhouse... J’admirais, ta force tranquille, ta
persévérance.
The merits of Ian Horsbrugh in the field of music and conservatoire training and in
particular his support of the AEC will remain unforgettable. As its president he contributed
enormously to the development of the AEC and the continuously increasing number of member institutions. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the AEC, founded 1953 in Salzburg,
at the University of Music Karlsruhe in 2003 was a big success for the AEC, but was also recognized as reward for the work of its president. And we will always remember the merry hours
shared with him like the festivities in Oviedo when he passed on the presidency to Johannes
Johansson.
Thank you Ian Horsbrugh!
Dr. Ilse Kainz, Universität ‘Mozarteum’, 19.10.2006
Pour moi, tu as toujours été un ami attentif, sachant écouter et être présent, en particulier
dans les moments difficiles de la vie – il y en eut... Tu savais voir l’absurde et le ridicule des
situations, nous en riions beaucoup. Nous partagions le goût des bons gueuletons. De ce point
de vue aussi, l’Europe était pour nous une source de ravissement....
Je t’ai moins suivi dans ton goût pour la plomberie mais je reste véritablement impressionné par ce sens du concret qui faisait de toi un homme si complet.
Tu avais à ta manière beaucoup de sagesse.
J’aime la peinture de Caroline. Une de ses aquarelles est devant mes yeux tous les jours. Sa
peinture et sa personne demeurent un lien si amical à toi. Je l’embrasse et pense à vous deux.
Marc-Olivier Dupin
Director Orchestre d’Ile de France and composer
Past director Conservatoire de Paris and past Secretary General AEC
Cutting the traditional ‘congress cake’ with Johannes Johansson
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In M emoriam I an H orsbrugh ( 1 9 4 1 -20 0 6 )
(This text was published in the Sibelius Academy Journal 3/2006)
Ian Horsbrugh passed away in July after a short, serious illness in London. Horsbrugh was
President of AEC (1996-2004) and Principal of Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1988-2002).
He and the institutions he was in charge of had many relations to the Sibelius Academy.
Under the patronage of Horsbrugh GSMD developed into one of the most esteemed music conservatories in the world. Besides assuring the high quality of the education Horsbrugh
worked decisively for new projects and openings concerning artistic activities. A remarkable
international field, also put to start in Finland, is the programme of creative performing
skills, which created a research centre for education and learning in GSMD.
For Sibelius Academy it was a great honour to arrange and host the AEC congress in 1998
in Helsinki. Self-evidently it happened in strong co-operation with Ian Horsbrugh. At least
since that Helsinki and Sibelius Academy had a strong place in the opinions and statements
of Ian Horsbrugh. For that we are greatly thankful to him. I am convinced that it has helped
to spread the reputation of Sibelius Academy internationally.
Tuula Kotilainen
Vice Rector of Sibelius Academy 1990-2002
Board member of AEC in 1998-2002 and AEC Vice President in 2000-2002
From his educational and professional background Ian Horsbrugh was a versatile musician and pedagogue. Long before it became a topic of the official education policy Horsbrugh
created meeting platforms for different groups of listeners and musicians, thus lowering the
fences between the different music genres.
Beside the already mentioned background Horsbrugh became a top leader due to his personal qualities. He was a balanced, harmonious person, non-bureaucratic, and productive,
who had a strong belief in skills of other persons. He made space for them. This led to success
both as Principal of the conservatory and as esteemed and adored leader of an international
organization. On top of all he had an excellent sense of humour, verbal skills and a positive
mind. He had a special skill to catch the moment and find just the right words, in all contacts,
events; everywhere, always and with everybody. This ability was of course connected to good
thinking and clear visions.
I had the great privilege of collaborating with Ian Horsbrugh for several years in AEC
circles. The board of AEC had members from 12 countries and we came to the meetings from
different parts of Europe for working weekends after busy working weeks. In spite of the
speed, the meetings were successful and effective. Nobody felt excluded but everyone could
experience him- or herself taking part and having an influence. Decisions were made and
great things were promoted. Ian Horsbrugh created an atmosphere of energy and warmth; he
respected everyone and wanted to hear different ideas and questions expressed.
I was also very grateful for the opportunity to work as a member of the Music Review
Committee chaired by Ian Horsbrugh, in the assessing process of Dutch conservatories, in
2004. The tours, visits to conservatories and the discussions after long days were a brilliant
experience, and with greatest admiration I remember Ian’s virtuoso-like chairmanship.
The AEC Council at the AEC General Assembly in Oviedo in 2004
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Der plötzliche Tod von Ian Horsbrugh hinterlässt in unserer Mitte eine schmerzliche
Lücke, die sich wohl kaum so bald schließen wird.
Sein gewinnendes zurückhaltendes Wesen gemeinsam mit seiner unglaublichen Fachkompetenz und gepaart mit dezent - ostinater Verfolgung seiner Ziele ließen Ian Horsbrugh zur
Idealbesetzung eines Präsidenten der AEC werden.
Kaum ein anderer wäre imstande gewesen, die teilweise prononciert individualistischen
Interessen der Vertreter der unterschiedlichsten europäischen Musik- und Kunstausbildungsinstitutionen mit seiner stets freundlich-gelassenen Güte so zu bündeln, dass unter
Bedachtnahme auf die lokalen und nationalen Eigenheiten ein gemeinsames Ziel zu formulieren war. Dieses dann nach außen zu tragen und so geschickt zu vertreten, indem er sich
virtuos der nationalen und europäischen institutionellen und finanziellen Infrastruktur bediente, ließen in den Jahren seiner Präsidentschaft den AEC zu einer europäischen politischen
Größe von stetig steigendem Einfluss erstarken.
Sein trockener Humor voll gewinnender Herzlichkeit und sein offenes Wesen im Umgang mit jedem Einzelnen waren integraler Bestandteil seiner Persönlichkeit, dessen Charme
sich keiner entziehen konnte und die wesentlich zu seinem Erfolg betrug.
Sowohl als Präsident als auch danach als Ehrenpräsident brachte Ian Horsbrugh der
Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien als einer der größten europäischen tertiären Musikausbildungsinstitutionen stets besonderes Wohlwollen, ja verständnisvolle Bewunderung entgegen, die hierorts nicht nur sehr geschätzt wurde, sondern auch die Integration Wiens in die europäische Bildungslandschaft entscheidend prägte.
Mit dem Hinscheiden Ian Horsbrughs verliert die AEC, aber auch die Musikuniversität einen wahren Freund und Förderer der nicht zu ersetzen ist. Die Universität für Musik
und darstellende Kunst Wien wird Ian Horsbrugh stets in ehrendem Andenken und hochachtungsvoller Erinnerung bewahren.
Wolfgang Klos, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
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J’ai eu le privilège de rencontrer Ian à un moment crucial de l’histoire de l’AEC.
Avec la chute du mur de Berlin, la fin de la guerre froide et l’élargissement de l’Union
européenne, l’AEC fut confrontée à des défis et de responsabilités croissantes en termes de
représentativité et de lobbying.
Autour du secrétaire général Marc-Olivier Dupin, nous fûmes plusieurs au sein du
Comité d’alors à penser qu’Ian avait toutes les qualités requises pour en devenir le président,
et l’Assemblée générale entérina cette proposition lors du Congrès de Copenhague.
La suite a montré combien les membres de l’AEC avaient eu raison de lui confier les rênes
de l’organisation : épaulé par Martin Prchal comme directeur exécutif et Johannes Johansson comme secrétaire général, par le Comité et toute l’équipe du Bureau d’Utrecht, Ian a remodelé de fond en comble l’Association en l’espace de quelques années. La coopération et les
projets entre les membres ont fleuri de manière significative tandis que les relations avec les
organismes extérieurs – à commencer par l’Union européenne elle-même - se développaient
de manière considérable, à telle enseigne que le nombre de membres doublait et que l’AEC
devenait un interlocuteur incontournable dans le domaine de la formation musicale professionnelle du continent.
Au-delà des qualités professionnelles d’Ian, de sa vaste culture, de son expérience à conduire des équipes et de son habileté politique, nous sommes également immensément redevables de ses qualités humaines, de son intérêt et de sa curiosité pour chaque personne
rencontrée derrière ses fonctions professionnelles et de son légendaire sens de l’humour. Une
véritable communauté s’est ainsi constituée autour de lui, où l’amitié vient à chaque instant
renforcer et justifier les liens noués autour de la musique et de sa transmission.
Ian se réjouissait énormément de sa retraite et évoquait avec passion sa famille et sa maison dans le village du Sud-Ouest de la France où il chantait dans le chœur paroissial ! La perspective de cette retraite ne l’empêchait du reste nullement de continuer à s’intéresser de près
aux affaires de l’AEC. J’en ai eu une dernière preuve en janvier dernier à Utrecht, où il prodiguait avec sa pertinence habituelle remarques et conseils avisés aux responsables du vaste
projet Polifonia.
Mes pensées vont à Caroline et à ses enfants et petits-enfants ainsi qu’à l’équipe de direction de l’AEC et à tous ses membres. Puisse la tristesse de perdre Ian si tôt ne pas nous faire
oublier l’immense gratitude pour l’héritage et l’esprit qu’il nous lègue et que nous nous efforcerons de transmettre à nos successeurs.
Philippe Dinkel, Directeur HEM Conservatoire de Musique de Genève
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T hat good man called I an
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For many years I thought that English people were human beings with a round hat, umbrella, not talking to the others unless they were previously introduced, organizers of too
formal occasions and always avoiding to exteriorize their emotions. Some years ago at an AEC
congress (in Copenhagen I think it was) I met a fellow musician with a lovely sense of humour, speaking English very well, French with a lovely English accent, but showing a very
different behaviour than the one mentioned above.
The very first time we talked to each other we were not previously introduced and I had
the feeling of knowing him for a long time. His name was Ian. Through the years we became
friends and somehow his personality has certain qualities impossible to forget.
“When Ian visited the Conservatorium Maastricht as a chairman of the visitation committee in 2004, I was impressed by the way he approached the subject. On the one hand he
was absolutely sympathetic in his assessment of the complex situation of “Conservatoires in
Transition”, on the other hand he was analytical precise and sharp in getting to the critical
point. One of his questions was: “Harrie, what is your conservatoire exactly about?” Trying to
buy some time in order to answer this relatively difficult question, I said: “I think you know
exactly what a good conservatoire is about”. He smiled and said: “Well, be careful in trying to
reed my mind!”
We haven’t forgotten his question: it still occupies our mind and helps us to define our exact
position in our society. Ian will be missed, also by us.”
Ian, thank you for letting me feel you close, thank you for letting me feel your feelings,
thank you for making difficult situations easy ... Be sure that many of us, when facing a problem, will think how you would have solved it.
Harrie van den Elsen, Director Conservatorium Maastricht.
I shall never forget the last night of Oviedo’s congress when we had dinner together, I had
just come out of hospital and Ian and his wife Caroline made my evening.
The sudden death of Ian Horsbrugh has filled me with great sadness. Ian was a good
friend and we held each other in high esteem. During his visit to Tel-Aviv at the end of the
nineties we celebrated his birthday at my house, and he was a wonderful host at Guildhall
during my visit to London.
I shall never forget about that good man called Ian.
Cristóbal Zamora, Conservatorio Supérior de Musica “E. Martinez Torner” Oviedo
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Ian was truly special, as a person and as a scholar. Besides being universally courteous,
and endowed with a delicious sense of humour, he was a profoundly kind and helpful man.
His loss will be deeply felt by all his friends and colleagues.
Ami Maayani, Former head of school and emeritus professor, Buchmann-Mehta School of Music,
Tel-Aviv University
With Cristobal Zamora
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Three memorable early mornings encounters
Wenn eine so erschütternde Nachricht wie diese über den plötzlichen Tod unseres
Freundes Ian Horsbrugh hereinbricht, sucht das Gefühl der Trauer einen Rettungsanker. Für
alle, die ihn kannten und sein Werk kennen, hat Ian einen solchen hinterlassen: seine geistige
Kraft, seine konzeptiven Zukunftsleistungen, seine Liebenswürdigkeit und Heiterkeit. Er ist
so gut wie nicht wegzudenken und so ist er eben noch da und hilft uns, die Trauer um ihn zu
ertragen.
Like many other people do, I know Ian Horsbrugh as a very capable and professional
person from meeting, conferences and congresses. One of those events was the Music World
Forum of the IMC, early October 2005 in Los Angeles, USA. During the day Ian and I would
see each in all kinds of meetings, break out sessions, workshops lunches, dinners, concerts
and what not. But we also met unintended every morning at the swimming pool. We did
not speak much; we were swimming, simply swimming. While all the other guests were still
asleep or just waking up, we were the only ones in this oddly shaped big pool. Ian enjoyed this
little pleasure immensely. And it was very special: the cold refreshing water at the beginning
of a long day, the sound of the city that was slowly waking up, the sky that changed colour
every second while the sun was rising, the cool wind of the Indian fall. Sharing this with Ian,
I will never forget...
Prof. Dr. Otto Kolleritsch, Rektor der Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz
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May 19th - after a fruitful two day meeting under the chairmanship of Ian we happily
finished our work to be continued 3 weeks later. Ian, the ideal leader of our group had again
shown his superb ability to combine seriousness with cheerfulness, severity with friendliness, strictness with humour, competence with sympathy to all.
Wouter Turkenburg, Chairman European Music Council
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We planned for the future, for next meetings as well as for his and Caroline’s visit to Vienna,
where Ute and I looked forward to host our friends. Ian said “see you soon” - but.... ‘Media in
vita in morte sumus’ as a medieval choral teaches us.
This is a very sad message; I cannot really believe it, remembering Ian from last November as lively and with lots of ‘esprit’ as ever. It must have been quite a shock for you and for all
the people close to him.
We lost a great man, an outstanding personality, a wonderful friend, but he will remain
in the best of our memories.
Ruth Jakobi, Exectuive Director European Music Council
Gottfried Scholz, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
With Johannes Johansson and George Caird at the cider-pouring party
during the AEC Congress in Oviedo
With Gottfried Scholz
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I felt very sad to read the news of the death of Honorary President Ian Horsbrugh who
we held in high regards as one of the vital personalities whose work had a great impact on
the development of the AEC. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy which we express also to
his family, colleagues and all his friends on behalf of all members of the Academy of Music in
Ljubljana
On behalf of the “George Enescu” University of Arts in Iasi, Romania, we want to express
our sincere condolences to Mr. Ian Horsbrugh’s family. We had planned to meet him last autumn, in October 2005, when we celebrated the 145th anniversary of the modern artistic high
education at our university, but, due to his health, he couldn’t attend the event after having
confirmed his participation.
Pavel Mihelcic, Dean Academy of Music Ljubljana, Slovenia
At this moment, our board feels sorry that the opportunity to know him personally has
been lost forever.
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I had the honour to get to know Ian Horsbrugh on many occasions both in his position
as Principal of Guildhall School of Music and as President of the AEC. Every time we met
I was impressed with the easiness and simplicity he was capable of expressing his deepest
thoughts and the charm with which he faced the most difficult matters. We continue to miss
his permanent smile capable of overcoming anything and everything. His smile was not only
a gesture but an essential characteristic of his spirit.
The last time I saw Ian was in the spring of 2005 when we both were jury members of the
Yehudi Menuhin Prize for the Integration of the Arts and Education. The award was granted
to Claudio Abbado during a delicious meeting at my home in Madrid when Ian was particularly brilliant. The following day he was kind enough to accompany me to the Gala Ceremony
closing the academic year of the Escuela de Música Reina Sofía, presided by Her Majesty. I have
lost a very dear and great friend.
PhD Professor Composer Viorel Munteanu, President, Iasi
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Très triste nouvelle...
Inattendue, car à Prague, aucune alerte sérieuse autre que cette hospitalisation sans plus de
précisions...
Sa gentillesse naturelle lui permettait de donner à chacun - quand bien même on ne le
voyait qu’une ou deux fois l’an - le sentiment qu’il était un ami, toujours à l’écoute. Pour
nous, à Lyon, c’était aussi cette passion partagée du rugby...
Vous tous qui avez travaillé de très près et fréquemment avec Ian devez ressentir cruellement le vide ainsi créé. C’est donc aussi à vous que nos pensées se destinent, vous qui avez
accompli à ses côtés un aussi remarquable travail, à la hauteur de sa vision pour l’AEC.
Paloma O’Shea, Founder President Escuela de Música Reina Sofía
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On behalf of the community of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, we would
like to share our deepest condolence to Caroline, wife of the late Ian Horsbrugh, his family
and to the AEC Executive Committee, the AEC Council, AEC Office and all our colleagues at
member institutions of the AEC. We have wonderful memories of working closely with Ian
Horsbrugh, such a great leader and a wonderful person, while organising the AEC Congress
2002 in Vilnius.
Cette synergie et les résultats obtenus nous rendent heureux et fiers de pouvoir collaborer
avec vous, et nous assurent que “l’héritage” de Ian sera toujours vivant. C’est par tout ce que
vous nous permettez de réaliser aujourd’hui et dans l’avenir, que nous lui rendons le plus bel
hommage.
Avec toute mon amitié,
Jacques Moreau, CNSMD de Lyon, France
He will remain in our hearts.
Eduardas Gabnys, LMTA Rector
Juozas Antanavicius, LMTA Senate Leader
Laima Bakiene, LMTA International Relations Director
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Die Nachricht vom Tode des AEC-Ehrenpräsidenten Ian Horsbrugh hat mich tief erschüttert. Wenn ich an ihn denke, habe ich sofort seine melodiöse, sonore Stimme im Ohr
und sein so überaus freundliches, humorvolles Wesen vor Augen. Ich weiß, wie wichtig er
für die Entwicklung der AEC war. Er wird uns allen bei der Generalversammlung in Salzburg sehr fehlen. Ich möchte Euch im Namen aller Rektoren und Präsidenten der deutschen
Musikhochschulen meine herzliche Teilnahme ausprechen und bitte Euch, mein Beileid an
Ian’s Familie zu übermitteln.
I would like to say that Ian was dedicated to the European ideal and worked unstintingly
to this end from his position as President of the AEC.
Auch wir deutschen Musikhochschulen haben Ian viel zu verdanken. Er hat die Idee von
einer großen europäischen Gemeinschaft der professionellen Musikausbildungsinstitute
mit großem Engagement befördert und weiterentwickelt. Wir sollten im Angedenken an Ian
dieses Vermächtnis dankbar annehmen und mit aller Kraft daran weiterarbeiten.
Patrick Dinslage, Vizepräsident der Universität der Künste Berlin und Dekan der Fakultät Musik
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I am very sad to hear about the great loss we all - the whole artistic community far beyond
the boundaries of one discipline - suffer with the death of Ian. He was not only a profound
thinker and administrator; he was a person to turn to in many ways, blessed as well with an
enviable sense of humour. We have a great lot to thank him for.
Martin Rennert, President Universität der Künste Berlin, Germany
Edmond Fivet, Principal, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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I am so very sorry to hear this news. I met Ian a number of years ago and have always been
so impressed with his vision and his leadership abilities. I am sure he will be sadly missed in
the European arts community.
Karen L. Wolff, Dean Emerita School of Music,
University of Michigan, past president National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
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What sad news I received from you this morning. Ian was a person of whom I can say that
I really enjoyed every single time we spent together.
Bjørn F. Boysen, Norges musikkhøgskole and former member AEC Council
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On behalf of Ecole de Musique Ghassan Yammine staff (Lebanon), we would like to express our deepest condolence to the AEC and Ian’s wife.
Ian was exceptional in his ability to unite people and see the good and the interesting in
all. I am sure he will be sadly missed, as I too shall miss him personally. I feel I was privileged
to take the part I did in AEC when I did and this was partly due to Ian. In spite of his absence,
however, I am sure that the AEC will continue to carry out fully its important role in music
teaching in Europe.
Ghassan Yammine, Executive Director Ecole de Musique Ghassan Yammine - Lebanon
Christopher Bochmann, Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, Portugal and former member AEC Council
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We were pained to hear of Mr Horsburgh’s death. We would like to express our deepest
condolences to AEC, to his wife and his family.
It was a total shock to hear the news about Ian. I didn’t know he was sick at all and once
again, like with Margaretha Bergkvist, we loose someone who was not...just someone. He did
mark an era at the AEC that definitely knew a turning point under his Presidency.
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Paul Dimitriadis, Director, State Conservatory of Thessaloniki, Greece
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Cecília de Almeida Goncalves, Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, Portugal
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It is so sad to hear of Ian’s passing away. It was a privilege to have met him in Lithuania,
Karlsruhe and Oviedo. His enthusiasm and zest for life was infectious and inspiring.
I was very sad to hear this. Great loss for our field, and humanity at large.
Patricia Kavanagh, Royal Irish Academy of Music Dublin
Huib Schippers, Director Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Brisbane, Australia
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We have just learned that Ian Horsbrugh, who was President of the AEC for many years,
and still held the position of Honorary President, died last Saturday. This is a shock to all who
knew him and benefited from his great energy and generous personality. We will miss his
wisdom as we develop the work.
A spontaneous line per mail to tell you I was very moved by the announcement of Ian
Horsbrugh’s death! I had thanks to you the opportunity to meet him and his wife during the
Oviedo GA, as he was retiring. How sad and difficult to believe! He was indeed such a warm
person and I won’t ever forget the last evening of this conference.
Darla Crispin, Royal College of Music, London, United Kingdom
Frédérique Chabaud, International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Brussels
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On behalf of ELIA and specifically the people that knew Ian well, like John Butler, Chantal
de Smet, Maarten Regouin and so many others, I would like to express our deep sadness and
our condolences. It must be devastating for those of you who were working so closely with
him.
This is a terrible shock for us all. Ian was admired and respected by us all. He was our visiting External Examiner for our Professional Performance Diplomas at the RNCM for the past
3 years, so it is particularly upsetting for my colleagues here in Manchester.
Prof. Edward Gregson, Principal, Royal Northern College of Music
It is hard to imagine the AEC without the inspiration and enthusiasm of Ian and I wish
you strength in dealing with this terrible loss.
Carla Delfos, Executive Director European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA)
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In the name of Conservatorians, I would like to express to you our pain for this sad notice.
However, we are sure that always Ian Horsbrugh will be between us, because his work is a life
legacy and will be inexhaustible source of inspiration for all. We, and like you, we will have
him in our hearts.
Betty Zanolli Fabila, Conservatorians editor
National Conservatory of Music and National Music School of Mexico
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I heard the news on the day of Ian’s death. I am so grateful that we were such good friends
and colleagues. And that we can build further spiritual and musical buildings on the rock he
build for us.
Chris Fictoor, Prins Claus Conservatorium, The Netherlands
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I have just read the news of Ian’s death and I just had to write with sympathy to you and
the AEC. What a shock, and what a big gap he will leave in all of your work.
Fiona Harvey, Early Years Pilot Programme Manager Association of British Orchestras
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