Choir sings in praise of 'special' founder

MUSIC filled a Derby church yesterday as part of a fitting tribute to a popular composer.

Wallace Ross formed the Derby Bach Choir and its members performed Locus Iste at his funeral at the Church of St John the Evangelist.

More than 40 members of the choir joined about 100 other mourners at the service, during which Canon Michael Brinkworth said "one of God's very special children" was being let into heaven.

A former teacher at Sturgess School, Markeaton Street, Mr Ross also taught hundreds of musicians and singers in the city for more than 40 years.

He was Master of Music at Derby Cathedral from 1958 until 1982 and formed the Derby Bach Choir, the Derby Cathedral Orchestra – later renamed the Derby Symphonic Orchestra – and the Cathedral Brass Ensemble.

Canon Brinkworth told the congregation: "This funeral is done according to Wallace's instructions.

"The hymns were all chosen by him and we hope that we have done things right.

"Wallace was rather eccentric and he liked to do things his own way.

"He would get to the bar at the Dolphin Inn just before closing time with the exact money which he would crash down on the bar, saying, 'A pint of Bass please'."

Mr Ross lived in Park Grove, off Kedleston Road, until he fell ill four years ago, and he died at the Royal Derby Hospital, aged 89.

His coffin was decorated with a white and purple wreath in the shape of a cross.

Canon Brinkworth told those gathered of Mr Ross's love of rugby, recalling the time he raced off after playing the organ at the church as he wanted to watch the varsity rugby match between Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Following the service, members of the congregation were invited to a celebration of his life, at the Mackworth Hotel, in Derby Road.

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