| Merlin Channon - 1955-1962 |
"Anyone who attended WHS knows that the performaing arts were something quite extraordinary there, both in music and drama, and Merlin’s contribution during his tenure as Head of Music was stupendous. Each WHS era was of course different from the others, but with a vein of sheer excellence running through the entire life of the school. Merlin Channon played an unforgettable part in establishing the quality that WHS became renowned for and which was so phenomenally maintained by his successor Barry Salmon. Merlin was indeed a musical colossus. His encouragement of talent, those great productions (often in close partnership with Leslie Johnstone), his putting together of orchestras of such quality for a small school, and when we needed a boost, getting in such good pro's that we could listen to and admire. I remember in particular some first-class violinist guests for various productions and then a wonderful oboeist for "Amahl & the Night Visitors". |
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Merlin was creative to his fingertips, but also determinedly practical - a "get-it-done" person - brilliant at getting orchestras, actors, producers and the powers to be to put it all together. And of course, he had a great image - rubbing shoulders with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears - and always off to Aldeburgh or somewhere. similar.
This level and intensity of music was new for most of us lower school kids, but even though I was a rugbyman so to speak I got caught up in the excitement and enjoyment of music. I remember him being a good communicator even with unimportant little oiks in the first year: interested in our musical progress, always encouraging - even though he was always very busy! We never heard him play the cornet enough, but when we did it was exciting.
Musical experiences at Wolverstone remain unforgettable for me - more than that, sublime, exciting, participative, creative, magical. He was not called Merlin for nothing. It seemed to me to be a disaster when he left, but then came his phenomenal successor Barry Salmon! What luck we had!" (Chris Snuggs - November 2021)
footnote from Chris Fuller: "Practical as well as creative, Merlin was the one who brought girls to Woolverstone so that we wouldn't have to dress up as girls in all his productions. For most of us, that was a double blessing! "
Merlin's daughter Biddy writes:
When Ann and Merlin moved to Suffolk in 1955 they first lived on a barge which was moored just below Woolverstone Hall. Merlin didn’t have far to walk to school but at high tide had to walk the gang plank. This was a picture of the barge that he painted.
From 1956 (when I was born) until 1962 we lived next door to Erwarton Hall at The Old Rectory, Erwarton. Mind you, next door was near St Mary’s Church, Erwarton about 1/2 a mile up the road. We lived there until Merlin left WHS, when he first went to St Paul’s College, Cheltenham to train music teachers. He of course continued putting on operas and conducting choirs. After 3 years doing this, he became an HMI specialising in music in the West Midlands. He was delighted to be moved back to the Ipswich office in 1972. Although I was too young to remember much about Woolverstone days, I have heard many stories over the years. As for me, I became a flute player, obtained a music degree and have taught for many years. Last July I retired and am loving retirement!!