Brian SANDLE Obituary

It was 1962 when Brian began teaching me the cello: he was 17 and still at Boys´ High, and I was 13, in the 3rd Form at Hillmorton High.
Brian remained my teacher for 5 years, until the end of 1966, by which time he had guided me from a veritable "beginner", through Grades 7 & 8 Royal Schools of Music examinations and Grade 5 Theory of Music, also under his tuition. In addition, I achieved a place in the 1966 National Youth Orchestra, of which, as Co-Principal cellist, he was also a member. It always seemed to me a great tribute to his teaching skills, to find a teacher and pupil in that orchestra, simultaneously, given that 23 was the maximum age limit.

As a `cellist, Brian was supremely talented and I have never forgotten his superb playing, as soloist with the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, of Saint-Saëns´ Cello Concerto! He was an instinctive musician and teacher, with an innate ability to impart his knowledge clearly, and with the aid of some vivid original metaphors and allusions. His musicianship, encouragement and example motivated me towards further goals, and it is a testimony to his teaching that I was able to achieve my orchestral career.

Moving to Wellington in 1968, I caught up with Brian a few times while he was living there and saw him occasionally over the intervening years when the NZSO visited Christchurch, but it has been a pleasure, in recent years, to catch up with him again, both in Christchurch and in Kapiti.

It remains for me to acknowledge Brian, again, for his musicianship, his teaching skill, his guidance and encouragement, and, more recently, his friendship. The world is a duller place without him.
Thank you for the music, Brian. May you Rest in Peace

To my good friends Nick & June and family; to Rod & family; to Julie & family; to Brian´s nieces and nephews; and to his friend, Sue, and his other loyal friends - my sincerest condolences at your loss.

Primary school classmate. Nick named Brains Sandle as I recall, for good reason.