Jean Burrow (CR 1971-89)
A former member of the music department, Jean died on 17th January 2022 aged 82.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Jean was an accomplished and influential musician. She sang with and contributed to many significant and special choirs, such as the Bach Choir in London; and left a personal legacy of choral singing in the Marlborough area particularly. She taught music not just at Marlborough, but also Notting Hill & Ealing High School and City of London School for Girls. Many of her pupils went on to have distinguished careers of their own.
Music took Jean all over the world, whether it was touring South Africa, Israel, and the USA with the Bach Choir; overseeing music examinations for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in Hong Kong, Malaysia and New Zealand; or taking a personal sabbatical to study Vivaldi in Venice. She was an adventurous traveller, fully immersing herself in the culture of the places she visited, and making deep and lasting connections with the people she met.
Jean was an exuberant, unforgettable character with a gift for friendship and communication across generations. She had an extraordinary ability to touch people very profoundly, even in just a short time, and to inspire them to bring the best out of themselves. She will be intensely missed by her family, her huge number of friends, and everyone who met her.
A donation site for the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain has been set up. The charity provides financial assistance and guidance to musicians whose lives have been affected by accident or illness.
