ANNETTE Martin, who died last month, aged 76, was a talented, natural and inspiring music and singing teacher.
She trained at Trinity College, London, in the 1950s and completed a post-graduate course in music therapy in 1986.
She loved music, always taking care to allow the music to communicate through her spirit, energy and musicianship. She sought to inspire all her pupils and choristers to maximise whatever talent they possessed.
She moved here from London in 1973 and wrote numerous compositions for voices, carols, arrangements of Beatles numbers (she was adept at choral interpretation of these popular tunes), instrumental combinations involving flute and guitar and piano compositions.
She also taught music at Archbishop King Middle School, Newport.
Her legacy also involves solo singing roles such as the Angel in Elgar’s Gerontius, incidental music for plays, acting roles at the Apollo Theatre, teaching and coaching and, most importantly, inspiring young people.
She was also political, like her father, and campaigned for CND and was also an active supporter of Amnesty International and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development for many years.
She often wrote letters to the County Press.
Her funeral took place on Wednesday last week, at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Newport, celebrated by Fr Gerard Flynn, with Douglas Potts playing the organ.
Singers from many Isle of Wight choirs attended the service and, with her family, paid musical tribute.
She leaves a daughter, four sons and six grandchildren.
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