I first met Hamish in the 70’s when he became the adviser for music education in Berkshire schools. Unlike previous music advisers he soon made himself known to music teachers. He came to the annual music teachers conference just before taking up his post and mingled amongst us. He was very interested in mixed ability teaching which was being promoted at that time and I had recently worked out a syllabus which incorporated this. He was very excited by this and asked if he could visit my school to see it in action which of course I agreed to thinking he was another teacher. On learning later that he was to be the new music adviser I was very apprehensive about his visit. I need not have been. He was so encouraging and enthusiastic that all my fears were dissipated. Hamish was a man of vision. He revolutionised music teaching in Berkshire, not an easy task as music at that time was not a popular subject in schools, and many teachers lived for their choirs and orchestras etc not being too concerned about the rest of the ‘unmusical’ children. Hamish wanted all children to be involved in music making, and he set out to bring about new ways of teaching, involving youngsters in listening, composing & performing music. This new concept led to opposition from many teachers,who stood firm in refusing to change their ways, making life difficult for Hamish but he persevered with enthusiasm, gradually winning them round. Hamish was also in charge of the peripatetic instrumental teaching in schools. He soon realised that the two were different disciplines and that to carry out each one effectively he needed to employ someone to take over one of them. Hamish chose the classroom music, which could be said to be the least ‘on show’ one and in many ways the most difficult one. As a music adviser he was ahead of his time but determined to see his vision of classroom music come to fruition and he persevered with passion against considerable opposition until he eventually achieved his purpose He appointed me as a advisory teacher to help bring about this way of teaching setting up consortia around the county so that teachers could meet and share their experiences and prepare for the introduction of the GCSE exam and eventually the National Curriculum. He believed in building bridges, communication and sharing of ideas. He was always willing to listen and try out ideas even though he perhaps disagreed with them. He valued each and every teachers contribution to music education. He always thanked us and found something to praise in what we were doing. When he retired he used all these qualities to promote change in the church whilst also valuing tradition and I was privileged to read his papers as they were written and discuss them with him. Hamish I will value your friendship, compassion and belief in me, whilst admiring your deep thinking which always led to action for change where you felt it was needed. You were a very special person in my life and I will really miss but never forget you. Joan Humphreys