As the Metropolitan Police Choir prepares to sing at the funeral of long-standing choir member John Gray, his friend Mark Webster remembers him.
I first met John 21 years ago when I joined the choir and and took my place right next to him. He was already established as one of the most senior members of the tenor section. John sang second tenor and I always marvelled at his easy mastery of the intricacies and difficult melodies of the second tenor lines. He was also very musically gifted and possessed of ‘perfect pitch’. When singing a cappella this was a most wonderful gift. I recall on one occasion John arguing firmly that the accompanying electric piano was out of tune. And he was right!
John Gray (centre) with members of the Metropolitan Police Choir
At the choir’s audition for Britain’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell asked who the oldest member of the choir was. Step forward John then aged 91. The packed London Palladium then broke into frenzied applause and as we left the stage the crowd broke into spontaneous chants of ‘John, John, John’! He was a little bemused by all the fuss so imagine his consternation when we left by the stage door to be met by hordes of screaming fans again chanting his name. We had to escort him away to the safety of the hotel next door. John Gray – unlikely pop star!
The MPC including John Gray (second row, third from right) at the Britain’s Got Talent TV auditions
But he never liked a fuss. It took skilful negotiations just to get him to his own 90th birthday party that we organised! John was, however, totally committed to this choir. This is the man who instead of choosing not to attend a rehearsal during a train strike rode four buses to make sure he was there. This devotion extended to making arduous journeys to some pretty distant destinations in order to perform. After we became a mixed choir I asked John whether he liked the new format. “It’s the best thing we have ever done” he replied. “The ladies are so kind. I love coming to choir and it gives me a purpose and something to look forward to. I just hope I can continue for a few more years’. It brought a lump to my throat.
At his 90th birthday celebrations with fellow chorister Lee de Montfort
Finally John had yet another talent that we were fortunate enough to enjoy, that of writing poetry. John wrote the most eloquent soliloquies which he would recite at concerts and for special occasions. I was fortunate to have received his crafted words for my 60th birthday. I will always treasure it. But now at last we come to say our goodbyes.
John, my dear friend, you will be sorely missed. I hope you will approve of our performance tomorrow as we sing for you one final time to see you to your rest.