John Crosdale
Founder of Sweet Rhythm Big Band
With grateful thanks to The Manchester Beethoven Orchestra (https://www.beethovenorchestra.co.uk/) for giving us permission to share their obituary for John on our website
It was with deep regret that we announced the death, in October 2004, of our Conductor and Musical
Director, John Crosdale. John served the orchestra for 36 years giving freely of his professional experience
as a fine conductor and orchestral player. His good-natured direction of our orchestra ensured that
rehearsals and concerts were always an enjoyable experience for all members. His sure and relaxed
command invariably brought the best from the orchestra. Through his many friends in the musical world, he
was able to attract the finest performers and enable us to perform at prestigious events. Not least , it was
through his generosity in giving his time for the orchestra, that we have been able for so many years to give
the proceeds from almost all of our concerts to charity. Luke was born in Stockton-on-Tees in 1981 and
started playing the violin at six years old under the direction of Martin Bainbridge. At the age of 9 he
became a member of the National Children’s Orchestra and played with them until he was 14. Having passed
Grade 8 with distinction at 15, he went on to become a member of the Northern Junior Philharmonic
Orchestra. In his first year he was awarded the Tippett Prize for the most promising player. In 1997, whilst
at Sixth Form, he began studying with Gillian Bradley at the Royal Northern College of Music’s Junior
Department.
John was born in Manchester, the son of a policeman who played the trumpet in the police band. As a young
child he suffered badly from asthma, and went to boarding school in North Wales until he was 11. He then
returned full time to Manchester and attended the Manchester Grammar school, where his school report told
him that he was mistaken to think that a good career could be made out of music, a piece of advice that he
chose to ignore
He studied piano, and later began to learn the trumpet from his father. A period of National Service followed
with the RAF Band, and he then studied music at the Northern School in Manchester. After graduating from
the Northern, he gained his first professional post as Second trumpet in the Scottish National Orchestra, and
also played for Scottish Ballet and Opera. He then returned to Manchester to freelance with the leading
northern symphony orchestras before joining the Hallé. It was at this time that his interest in conducting
really developed, and he was fortunate to have the support of Sir John Barbirolli in gaining a scholarship to
study conducting at Tanglewood in the USA, where he worked with Aaron Copland and with Pierre Monteux.
Further studies followed with George Hurst at Canford, and at Hilversum in Holland.
John always gained great pleasure from working with young people and developing their interest in the
opportunities which existed within music. He worked for Trafford Education Committee, teaching both
within the classroom and as a peripatetic brass teacher. He was also responsible for the foundation of a
dance band for young musicians, to fill what he saw as a gap in the market. He conducted “Sweet Rhythm”
for many years, before becoming its president!
Throughout his life, John particularly enjoyed working with amateur music makers in the North of England,
conducting orchestras in Sheffield, Gorton, Salford, and above all the Manchester Beethoven Society, of
which he had been musical director since 1967, the longest serving conductor in the orchestra’s history.
Together he and the orchestra had tackled varied and increasing challenging programmes. Especially
memorable were performances of Beethoven’s 9th symphony for the orchestra’s centenary, and again to
celebrate the millennium in Manchester cathedral. Other concerts were held in a variety of venues
throughout the area, including two festival concerts at the Royal Northern College. In recent years, John was
especially proud to build a link with the Royal Northern College, who provided the orchestra with
outstanding young soloists at the start of their careers, something which gave him enormous pleasure. He
was deeply touched that his daughter played her first concerto with the orchestra – a moment of deep family
pride.
His death was sudden, and unexpected. He had been preparing parts of tonight’s programme at the time. It
seems only fitting that he will be remembered through the foundation of a prize at the Junior Royal Northern
College to continue to help young musicians start in that most difficult but most rewarding of careers.