Obit!! Lionel Dakers, organ master; Guardian (boring)
Hyfler/Rosner
Organ master who revived the state of Anglican church music
John Harper
Saturday March 22, 2003
The Guardian
Lionel Dakers, who has died aged 79, used his time as director of the Royal
School of Church Music (1972-89), to reshape the organisation, extend its
international work, and employ his influence and charm in church and related
spheres. As a director of Hymns Ancient And Modern (1976-2003), he helped to
shape two central Anglican hymnals; as writer and lecturer, he brought
common sense and practicality to church music skills and issues; and, as
music editor, he sustained the choral traditions of Anglican church music.
Dakers was brought up and educated in Rochester, Kent, where he was a
cathedral chorister. During the first two years of his military service in
the Royal Army Education Corps (1943-47), he studied the organ with Sir
Edward Bairstow, in preparation for his diplomas as an associate, and then
fellow, of the Royal College of Organists; he combined the last two years
with his duties as organist of Cairo cathedral.
A student at the Royal Academy of Music from 1947 to 1951, he completed an
external Durham BMus. During this time, he was organist of Finchley parish
church, in north London, before being appointed to assist Sir William Harris
at St George's chapel, Windsor, in 1950. He also taught at Eton for two
years.
Four years later, Dakers took the post of organist of Ripon cathedral, a
tough assignment at a time when there was no choir school. In 1957, he moved
on to become organist and master of the choristers at Exeter cathedral. For
more than 15 years, he directed its music, lectured in music at St Luke's
teaching training college, and contributed significantly to the musical life
of the city. His achievement was recognised by his appointment as a fellow
of both the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Church Music.
Dakers's administrative ability, educational experience and broad grasp of
Church Music At The Crossroads - the title of his first book (1970) - marked
him out to become the third director of the Royal School of Church Music
(RSCM).
He took over at a time when liturgical change in the Church of England was
gaining rapid momentum: the first services in "you" form had been introduced
in 1970, and preparation of the Alternative Service Book (1980) was
underway. Responding to the changes, Dakers took a pragmatic middle course,
promulgating good relations between clergy and musicians, commissioning
practical new music, and supporting new hymn writing.
He also made significant changes. He closed the residential College of St
Nicolas, at Addington palace, which then became a centre for short courses,
expanded music publishing, strengthened the regional provision of
committees, and encouraged ecumenical outreach. The closure of the college
was a sensible decision at the time - it was expensive, and was not
recruiting well; but, with hindsight, it removed the educational core, and
the RSCM did not develop the comprehensive training for parish church
musicians that its founder had envisaged - and the churches still badly
need.
Under Dakers, however, the RSCM expanded its membership and activities, and
enjoyed an unprecedented period of administrative and financial stability.
Overseas summer schools, great festival gatherings, and training courses -
especially for children - had a lasting impact on the participants.
With an able chief executive, Vincent Waterhouse, running the organisation,
and his own wife, Elisabeth, capably overseeing the domestic running of
Addington palace, Dakers was able to exploit his role as an ambassador for
church music, and his skills as networker. He made more than 60 tours abroad
in 16 years, and is well remembered throughout the English- speaking church
music world. He enjoyed travel and foreign food - and warned his hosts, in
advance, of his dislike of both rice pudding and showers.
At home, he lobbied to protect choir schools from government threats, and
was a member of the archbishops' commission on church music. He moved
smoothly through the rooms of the Athenaeum, and his knowing wink informed
many a fruitful conversation.
He engaged with a variety of other bodies, including the Cathedral
Organists' Association, the Royal College of Organists, and the Incorporated
Association of Organists, and examined for the Associated Board for 30
years.
Dakers retired to Salisbury, engaging with cathedral life as a lay canon and
joining several diocesan committees. His ongoing work with Hymns Ancient And
Modern included the most recent manifestation - Common Praise (2000) - and
among his other editing and writing were the New Church Anthem Book (1992)
and an autobiography, Places Where They Sing (1995).
He continued to extend his collection of fine books and printing. Elisabeth,
whom he married in 1951, died in 1997; their four daughters survive him.
· Lionel Frederick Dakers, organist and administrator, born February 24
1924; died March 10 2003