I was looking through old photographs, and found this black and white picture of Avril. It was at my first junior camp in 1971, and the first time I met her.
She really was an inspiration. I have met so many people who attended her teachers courses and said what an impression they made on them. I went to a few to help Avril when I was at college, and I have to say they were not only informative, but FUN.
Avril was always "Up for anything". She would travel all over the world to music conferences or to adjudicate. The sheer fact that she had the idea of starting a music camp and actually making it happen shows what sort of person she was (is). I don't think people realise how respected she was musically in her own right. Most people have known Avril as "John Dankworth's sister"
Avril had a passion for providing musical opportunities for ORDINARY kids. She loved camping, and music making, and wanted young people to be able to experience both of these things together.
The second picture is of Avril and Les (her husband)at camp. He often joked that he had married a music camp.
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19 comments:
Dear Sarah,
I was planting some potatoes in my garden whilst listening to a tape of a broadcast from Wavenden on New Year's Day, c.1998. I was intrigued to discover where Avril Dankworth who was featured playing piano alongside a classical violinist, fits into the Dankworth
dynasty. Your excellent site provided the answer. Thanks and good wishes with your musical journey.
Bill Christie
Thanks for your comment Bill, I am always thrilled to get them.
Avril is still around, but in a nursing home. I visit her quite often. There are one or two more posts about her on the blog. The violinist you mention is Peter Fisher. Leader of the London Chamber Ensemble ( also featured if you look hard enough).
All the best
Sarah
We are five former Students from Stockwell College in Bromley which we attended 50 years ago (1958-60). Hence we are reminiscing. We remember Avril Dankworth as our Music Tutor and producer of a College production of "The Bartered bride". We were interested in hearing about Avril since leaving Stockwell. How old is she now? We wish her well and hope she is still making music in the Nursing Home. "The Bottom East Five"
Thanks so much for leaving your comment.
Avril was 83 (or 4) on 1st April. Her memory isn't good now, but she is always pleased to see people if they go and see her. She does play the piano from time to time, and a lady goes in to play piano duets occasionally. I do talk to her about people who send regards. I'm not sure she always remembers who they are, but likes to hear about them.
I remember her talking about your production, she often mentioned her time in Bromley.
Hi Sarah! I was very interested to read your details in respect of Avril, who is my second cousin. My mother Kathleen Levenson, nee Dankworth, (who died 19 January this year) was first cousin to John and Avril. Their father Bill and my grandfather Henry were brothers. I remember Avril very well, from being a small child, when I used to visit John, his Mum and Dad with my parents and vowed to marry John when I grew up! Avril is a delightful person and I recall her liveliness warmth and sense of fun. Please remember me to her when you next visit - I would like to write to her if that would be possible. Very best wishes Sarah, from Carol Leach (nee Levenson)
Thanks for your comment Carol. It is nice to piece together other members of the family. John gave me away when I got married, so we are practically related!!.
I am sure it would be fine for you to visit Avril if you would like to.
Dear Sarah,
I attended Avril's music camps from the first one in 1970, I think, until I was too old for the teenage camp, and then I did a couple of years as a helper. They were such good fun, and I made some good friends as a result of them. We must have been there at the same time - I was pals with Dot Blackaby, Helen Adcock, Ben Miller et al. I have also seen Paula Gardiner, guitarist then, bassist now, at the Brecon Jazz Festival relatively recently (ie within the last 15 years).
I have often wondered about Avril, who was a good friend of my father's cousin, Celia Wheeler (now 91 and in a care home)- they attended the same school - Walthamstow High School. Our family and the Dankworths were old Walthamstow families and I remember New Year musical get-togethers as a child. It was through Celia's friendship with Avril that I started attending the music camps.
Celia and Avril fell out of contact a few years back and I have never been able to get any information out of Celia as to Avril's whereabouts. Looking at old photos today I took it into my head to google Avril, and here you are!
If you see her please pass on mine and Celia's best wishes. Also if you are able to let me know where she is, I would love to either visit her or at least write. I can let you have Celia's address if Avril wants it.
Best wishes, Carole
Dear Sarah
I have just looked through my music camp photos and have found one in 1974 of a "Sarah" - longish light coloured hair holding a recorder. Could this be you?
Best wishes
Carole
My goodness!! yes, and I remember you. I would love to hear what you are doing. If you go to my website www.sarah-watts.com there is a contact section. Kevin mayhews will pass info to me, and I will Email you
What a nice surprise
Sarah
Carole I have just read your second post, and remember all the people you mention. I met celia several times. I am in contact with Alison Cooper and Jane Clare both from that era. It is the camps 40th anniversary soon, and it would be great to get together. Please would you mind contacting my website mentioned above and i will get in touch.
Sarah
Hi Carole,
It's Jane can you ever forget the Dracula and helping straight after the last Teenage camp we did?
Sarah will give you my email if you want to get in touch xx
Dear Sarah,
I remember Avril in a slightly different context. Between 1968 and 1972, I sang with an organisation called 'Sing for Pleasure', which still exists and
which brings music to all.
She took over conducting the London Choir in about 1971, and was still conducting it when I left to work abroad in 1972.
Hi,
I was browsing for some music info and stumbled upon this web-site. I just wanted to say I have fond memories of 'Miss Dankworth' (Avril) who was my music teacher at primary school between 1964-1968.
Alan.
Thank you so much. I bet she was a great fun teacher.
Dear Sarah,
I was at Teacher Training College 1959 - 1961 at Maria Assumpta Training College in Kensington Square and we were lucky enough to have her teaching us for a while. She took over the choir of which I was a member, and was the most inspirational teacher I remember. I particularly remember our production of Didi and Aeneas with her conducting. I met Avril several years later at a teachers' course and she was so pleased to see me and still giving out inspirational ideas. Her piano playing was lovely too. On this sad day of John Dankworth's death I hope she has a peaceful time for the rest of her hard working and dedicated life.
Pamela Bassett
Hello,
Just wanted to add my thoughts on this evocative day, like Alan, just before me, I was fortunate enough to have been taught music by Avril at my Primary School during the mid-sixties, it may have even been the same one, Lionel Road School in Brentford. I particularly remember her enthusiastic involvement with a school production of Hiawatha. She also encouraged the whole class to play a musical instrument, as I recall there was a choice of 4 wind instruments, harmonica, recorder, clarina & melodica, I chose the latter, I still have it!
Happy days! All the best!!
Ian Longman
Hearing the sad news about Sir John made me google Avril - of whom I think so many times while teaching music as I still use many of the "tricks" and other fun things she taught us when I attended a music course at Bulawayo Teachers' College during the early seventies. Would you believe I still refer to the notes and handouts from that course regularly? I subsequently had the privilege of seeing Avril and husband Les at work at Wilf Budd's National Musicamp in Rhodesia (where she directed John Dankworth's "Tom Sawyer's Saturday" that year), and then was able to re-live many of those wonderful memories when I roomed with Avril at ISME in the King Hotel in Amsterdam in 1996. Our room was on the fourth floor, with no elevator (!) and no air conditioning during a heat wave - has she ever forgiven me?
Please let her know I am thinking about her and wish her well.
Liselotte Jongedijk
Director of Education
MUSICA Music School
Toronto, Canada
Its so nice to hear from you. Avril used to tell me of her travels. It was that first camp that inspired her to start the music camp. we still use the logo now. see www.nationalyouthmusiccamp.blogspot.com
Just to let you know my son when the Avril Dankworth trophy at the Leigh on Sea Music Festival last week for his performance of Spring by Vivaldi on the violin
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