Derek Sutton

DEREK Sutton's love of church music and fine tenor voice set the course of a life which took him from his home in York to London, where he spent much of his career. But on his retirement, Derek, who has died aged 83, returned to York and renewed his association with the Minster where his enthusiasm and talents were first nurtured.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Apr 2010, 21:17 BST
Updated 16th Apr 2010, 21:17 BST

With two older sisters, Derek Arthur Sutton, right, was born in the city, the son of Joseph and Annie Sutton. Their father was a tram driver who could sing well enough to entertain in the local working men's clubs, and on occasion Derek would accompany him.

He went to Tang Hall School, but it was soon apparent that he had a good natural singing voice, and he was accepted as a probationer at the York Minster Song School in 1935, becoming a fully fledged member of the choir the following year and rising to the position of head chorister.

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He then progressed to Archbishop Holgate's Grammar School, winning a choral scholarship to King's College, Cambridge.

His National Service was deferred – not at his own request – until he had graduated and gained his Certificate in Education in 1948, having undertaken teaching practice at The Perse School, Cambridge.

He was surprised to be rejected by the RAF Education Branch on medical grounds and was confined to Fairfield Sanatorium in York for the treatment of tuberculosis; he always claimed that the diagnosis was wrong.

He took up the offer of a dual appointment as a tenor lay vicar at Salisbury Cathedral and an assistant master at the Cathedral School, remaining there for seven years.

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In 1956 he was appointed resident assistant master at Colet Court, the preparatory School of St Paul's, in Hammersmith, where he taught history and some English, French and junior maths, plus games.

He sang whenever he could, joining both the Purcell Singers and the Elizabethan Singers.

In 1974 he was persuaded by a colleague to apply for the headship at St Paul's Cathedral Choir School, and being successful, was the first layman to take up the post. In order to perform duties at the

Cathedral, he also became a licensed Reader at St Paul's.

He was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.

In 1987 aged 60, Derek retired and moved back to York, renewing his links with York Minster, to become a Minster steward and a volunteer at the Minster Library.

Derek Sutton remained a bachelor and was a generous and much-loved uncle to his sister's children, Christine Douglas and Peter and Stephen Dew.

Related topics:YorkLondonYork Minster