CHRISTOPHER COWELL

1945 - 2021

It is with much regret that I have to announce the death of our Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Christopher Cowell, who died peacefully today in hospital after a long illness. He was 76. 

It is no exaggeration to say that without Chris YOST would not exist. As someone who had always loved the great English choral tradition of church music he was very concerned that the apparent dearth of young organists threatened its very survival. His solution was to create a Trust for identifying and supporting young people who might become proficient organ players under the tutelage of established organists in cathedrals and major parish churches. He was well equipped to do this because a long and successful career in education, first as a teacher and then as a headmaster, gave him the necessary skills to make such an ambition real.

The charity which emerged from this ambition bears my name but only because he persuaded me to write the first cheque and because Chris never sought the limelight.  However, the real inspiration and zeal for our work came directly from him. In particular he wanted to ensure that no aspiring young organist would be excluded by virtue of their inability to pay for lessons.  His overarching belief had always been that education has the power to transform young lives and is a right not a privilege. That was something he wanted YOST to exemplify and it remains at the core of what we try to do as a charity. 

I remember he called me one Sunday afternoon to outline his idea and rather sheepishly broached the subject of money. I had no hesitation in backing him there and then. It helped that I had known Chris very well, recognised that he never did things by halves and would simply cajole and pester all and sundry to make this work.

We went back a long way. I had first met him nearly fifty years before at school in Louth, Lincolnshire where I was born and where he taught me History from the age of eleven. He was one of that rare breed of teachers who are able to inspire others because their love and enthusiasm for their subject is so palpable. He was also a mentor and a guide. Without his encouragement and unswerving belief in me as a person I doubt very much that I would have gone on to do many of the things that have defined my adult life. Nor was I alone in this since I continually meet many of his former pupils who recall with great fondness and admiration the huge impact he had on their personal lives   

Christopher very ably chaired YOST in our early years with great energy and determination, only standing down when ill health made it impossible for him to continue. Even then and in characteristic fashion he remained closely involved in all aspects of the charity’s work and was a valuable help of source and guidance even as his own health deteriorated. Indeed, my very last conversation with him was a week ago when he telephoned to discuss an item in the minutes of the last trustee’s meeting. Such was his dedication and commitment to ensuring the future of YOST and our success to date reflects that passion.

He leaves behind his wife of over fifty years, Pam; their two children, Louise and Sarah; and five grandchildren. We extend to them our deepest sympathy and our thanks for sharing such a truly inspirational person.

Dr Martin Clarke, President of the Young Organ Scholars Trust