Yesterday, I attended the service to celebrate Mr Bruce Pennick. He was a very influential character during my time as a student at Brentwood County High School, where he was my head of Lower school, taught me woodwork (a subject for which I had very little talent), and also music alongside Derek Harper (a subject that later went on to become my career), and took the school choirs. I also was a member of Brentwood Youth Orchestra, where he was a major part of the team that ran it, and also came across him many times whenever my career as a teacher and performer of bowed strings (violin and viola) took me to the Brentwood area. Whilst at school, my father and brother both passed away, and he was hugely supportive to not only myself, but also my mother on these occasions. He is one of the people I remember being at my brother's funeral, having brought a large representation of my brother's friends to it.
Mr Pennick was always thoughtful, kind, and also had a very dry sense of humour, which he combined with genuine warmth and a caring nature. Even at school, I was aware of what a fabulously natural musician he was, and remember his contributions to school concerts in the staff madrigal group, school choirs and also recorder consorts fondly. I am exceptionally grateful for all he contributed to me in terms of education and musical development. Yesterday, at the service dedicated to him, his Grandson George ended his words about Mr Pennick with a wish that the musical legacy left by him would carry on. I can assure George that it will, and is doing so, not just through me but also through many other professional musicians that I know whose lives were touched by him. Many happy memories of a wonderful teacher, musicians and generous hearted man. Mathew Lee
Mathew Lee
14/11/2025
