Spotlight - "Fasten Your Seat Belts, I'm Pulling Out All The Stops" - The Story of Trevor Dawson
Trevor Dawson was appointed the church organist at St Andrew's when he was only 14yrs old.
Trevor, like his father before him is a Church Warden at St Andrew's. His mother cleaned the church, arranged the flowers and helped at jumble sales etc.
The family home is in Fulham not far from the church and this is where Trevor and his brother now live.
During the second world war Trevor's father an electrician by trade was called up and served in the army. He was stationed at Dover and Redhill.
He helped the war effort as a motor bike rider which had its risks especially in the black outs. The bike had black tape on the head lights, allowing only a small strip of light to show the way.
One night he rode over an unseen pot hole and came off the bike, hitting his head badly. After a few days in hospital he was released but often suffered severe headaches.
Trevor was born in 1957, yes! he is the big 50 this month, hence the spotlight. He was baptised in St Andrew's and at the age of 14 was confirmed. He actually played the organ at his confirmation. After the laying of hands by the Bishop of Kensington, Trevor bobbed back to the organ.
Trevor had an older sister but tragically she died in a road accident just before Christmas 1964 when Trevor was 7 yrs old.
He has a younger brother who now shares the family home. Trevor has fond memories of the family holidays spent in the Yorkshire Dales.
On one occasion when he was about 10yrs old, his cousin Alison and he stripped off to their underwear to paddle in the steam. During the fun Trevor slipped and fell in the water soaking his pants.
His mum did not bring any extra pants but Alison's mother did. So for the rest of the day Trevor wore Alison's knickers.
Trevor still pops up to the dales to play the organ in Pateley Bridge, but more of that later.
Trevor sang with the choir and got involved with the music of the church. He started piano lessons with Mrs MacDonald who was a member of the church and later with Diana Page who is today a church member.
At the age of 11 Trevor attended Westminster City Boys' Grammar School. He raced through to grade 5 piano (Associated Board exams), then wished to play the organ. Norris Marshall taught the organ and gave Trevor lessons at St Alban's school in Teddington.
He would travel there to play their magnificant organ until one was installed in Westminster City School. Trevor started his organ practice at 7.45 every morning before his other classes.
Whilst he was in the 6th Form he sat the Associate of the Royal College of Organists exam, which he passed and recieved his diploma with Norris, his head teacher and family looking on.
As mentioned earlier he was appointed organist of St Andrew's by Father Johnson.
One of Trevor's hobbies was Train Spotting. He also developed a passion for aircraft and wondered if he may be an air traffic controller one day.
He was also encouraged by Norris to study to be a Cathedral Organist and went for an audition to be organ scholar at St Catherine’s, Cambridge. The audition went well but he was advised to obtain further experience and come back the following year.
However, Trevor joined Goldsmith College (London University) to study for a degree in education. Here the course covered both Junior and Secondary education. In the sixth form at school he opted out of sport to to do work experince, visiting primary schools and helping them out in all subjects.
He played the piano for special productions and used his extra time and free periods to help out where he could.
Trevor's first job was teaching at St Barnabas Primary School in Pimlico which is near Chelsea army barracks. Fifty percent of the pupils were from army families and consequently when the parents were posted abroad the children had to leave.
The high turnover of pupils meant that Trevor could not complete every students progress. He says, "it is very satisfying to whatch the developement of the students through their years at the school". Sadly this could not always be achieved.
Trevor managed the football team and lost players, sometimes every 6 months.
During his 5 years at St Barnabas Trevor recalls two traumatic experiences.
The first was during the IRA bombing campaign. A nail bomb was detonated near an army bus outside the Chelsea Barracks. One of Trevor's students was injured, he had nails in his hand. Trevor comforted the pupil who was such a brave boy.
Secondly, during the Falklands war a father to one of the students was killed. Trevor was notified of this in the morning but had to keep it from the child. His mother collected him at lunch time. Trevor says, "this was such a tough morning, I had to
carry on teaching the student as normal whih the knowledge that he had just lost his dad."
Trevor's next job was a promotion to Deputy Head at St Dunstan's primary school Cheam. He could have taken his career further but the education system changed. The role of Head Teacher was one of administrator not teacher. Trevor prefered the balance between contact with the students and management of the school, so he stayed Deputy Head and has been for 24 years at this school (29yrs in education altogether).
For 19 years Trevor has been the musical director of Sutton Schools Musical Festival held in the Fairfield Hall, Croyden. 14 primary schools are invovled and after the program is decided, Trevor visits them to rehearse. On the morning of the concert all the schools gather for one last rehearsal. The concert hall holds 1500 people. Parents, family and freinds attend the concert which is held every Spring. One of the theme this year was 'Last Night of the Proms'. Our very own Chrissy Eastwood (that's the vicars wife) sang Rule Britania drapped in a Union Jack with the students joining in the chorus.
I mentioned earlier about Pateley Bridge. Trevor pops up there every year to play in the local church. He has been visiting this part of the country for 40yrs since the family holidays previously mentioned.
All the villagers know Trevor and look forward to his fabulous organ playing.
Trevor plays a complicated piece during the Watch Night Service on New Year's Eve. This starts at 11.30 and ends just before midnight after which mulled wine is served.
Trevor recalls on one of these occasions before the service he enjoyed a special roast meal at his hotel. Trevor says, "The waiter kept topping up my glass of red wine and I lost track of how much I had to drink.
I continued with the evening and went to the church as normal. I had no problem playing the hymns but when it came to the complicated piece certain passages did not relate too closely to the printed page.
However, I don't think the congregation noticed too much!".
We may at St Andrew's during Evensong be wondering, has Trevor had his supper yet?!
Trevor's dream of becoming an airpot traffic controller has not been realised but his passion for aircraft has. He got his Private Pilots License in around 1993 and has flown 550 hours.
It was after his fathers death in 1992 that Trevor decided to learn how to fly. He says, "I thought it was about time I did it as life was moving on and sometimes you have to make things happen!”
During the school summer holidays Trevor was able to get two flights in a day. He flew a Cessna 152, 2 seater to start with and now flys the 4 seater Piper Worrier.
Any bookings must be made in advance, be prepared though, it's basic and over priced. All you get is a bag of peanuts thrown at you from the cockpit, there is no inflight entertainment and there are no facilities!
You have to walk to the aircraft and there is no guarantee of a return trip. If there is an organ at your destination, he will be on it for hours and, if there is red wine, you will never get back!
Trevor Uses the aircraft at Biggin Hill and Sherburn in Elnet, Yorkshire. He has flown to Le Touquet in France and the Isle of White to name a few. He has also flown in Ireland and Scotland. From train spotting to plane spotting to eventually owning his own plane? What will the future hold?
Trevor marked my work and I only got 6/10. I am seeking a second opinion.
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For Information on the St Andrew's Choir, please click Here
New photos - We celebrated Trevor's birthday after mass on Sunday (20th May) at St Andrew's.
Click on the photo of your choice to see the bigger picture.
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