Coming from the south of Latin America to Brockwood is like going to meet the aroma of Krishnamurti in one of the places where he spent a lot of time, where he walked, slept, and held many conversations with famous people, teachers and students.

Even being so different in size, amenities, customs, our stay here at Brockwood, has been like staying with family, like being in our own school.

I dare say that the same spirit animates both schools. The spirit of the teachings of Krishnamurti which invites us to go beyond likes and dislikes, beyond thought.

Here and there, in our school, students should learn what might be of use to live in this world but our school and yours are not only intended for it.

In any case, the academic demands are secondary, though sometimes we may be in a hurry to run after this or other demands.

I understand that here and there we need to be aware of these issues and not let ourselves be caught by the demands and pressures of the governments or parents.

Possibly, both in Brockwood and in La Cecilia there are difficulties and hard work, but what unites us is the way we walk through them, not letting the challenges become problems in our mind.

I have seen in Brockwood many people seriously interested, others less so, and even some unhappy, if I may say, but it is easy to see that the heart of the school is in the teachings of Krishnamurti and that some people actually live them.

We have always understood that even if one person only was living the teachings, the work would still be worth it, and here there is and the work is worth it.

I wish everyone could see, understand and take advantage of it. This is the current challenge of all these schools, as I see it.

Brockwood, its principals, officers, teachers, students, everyone has been very kind, very warm, very understanding of our language difficulties that, I hope, did not prevent communication.

We have nothing more to say but thank you for everything.

Finally, we want to put our school and ourselves open to you and hope that we come still closer in cooperation and mutual learning.

18 January 2012
Written by Ginés del Castillo and Nancy Cecilia Giúdici
Picture by Mark Apted

These two teachers embodied the strands which run deep in Alan’s musical life: his profound feel for early 20th Century English Music and a deep, lifelong love for Schubert, about whom, in Alan’s own words, he was nothing less than ‘over the moon’. It was Angus Morrison who first introduced Alan to the English composer John Ireland, and the two soon formed a significant musical connection. Alan went on to record Ireland’s complete piano works at the request of the composer himself. With Maria Donska, Alan furthered his love for and understanding of Schubert, and the two also performed in duet many times sharing, aside from a love and passion for the same music, a very similar sense of humour.

Alan continued his involvement with the Royal College of Music for over 35 years, teaching piano to pupils from all over the world. In the early 1960s, following a friend’s suggestion, Alan began to attend Krishnamurti’s meetings in London. For several years he had been finding himself at an impasse in his life and was now experiencing a troubling time full of personal difficulties. Alan often recounted how, after having heard K speak for the first time, he remembered walking the London streets back to his home as if on a cloud, his mind completely transfixed and, perhaps for the first time, deeply at peace.

Dorothy Simmons, Brockwood’s first principal, had a hunch that Alan would benefit greatly from being involved with this new school–which was little more, at the time, than a very ambitious project—and that, likewise, those at Brockwood would profit greatly from having Alan there. It was for many generations of Brockwood piano pupils, enthusiastic choir members, music lovers and friends to discover how right she had been.

By the time I joined Brockwood in 1992, Alan’s legendary status as brilliant musician and music teacher was firmly established. Having firmly been told that music was to be my focus and passion, and tactfully ignoring my insistence that I wanted to spend most of said passion by learning how to play the drums, Colin Foster suggested that I should join the Brockwood Choir. I understood little to no English at the time and didn’t know what the word ‘Choir’ meant, but the degree of reverence and excitement with which everyone spoke it convinced me that ‘Choir’ could only have referred to a very important person. Eventually, upon meeting Alan for the first time, I realised that it was.

It was remarkable the way Alan stood out. In an international community of awkward, rebellious teenagers and adults who pursued an alternative way of life (or, at least, who dressed as though they did) Alan represented a flashback to a dreamy and poetic old England that was no more. Immaculately dressed, extremely well-spoken and with a natural ease for witty, understated humour, he was for me immensely charming and utterly scary. At that time, Alan would grace us, every Saturday night, with an impromptu concert in the Sitting Room, where he would run effortlessly and beautifully through Schubert, Delius, Beethoven or Debussy. On Sunday Mornings he would play a short piece for the Morning Meeting and, that same night, conduct a Choir Rehearsal. Each Monday, after a few more piano lessons, he would return to London, leaving many of us bewitched with that remarkable, timeless quality through which he brought music to life. For everything Alan played on the piano was conveyed with a quiet elegance and a feel for that profound silence in which he let the music speak. Alan played music without ever getting in the way of it as an interpreter, yet his profoundly graceful touch was unmistakeable. The energy that moved in his playing was born out of a deep listening to the pieces as well as to the quality of attention present in the room. The result was often truly magical, and many of us who bore witness to it felt touched by an ineffable, yet vibrant, sense of peaceful joy.

So many of us benefited from his attentive, patient and wonderfully inspiring teaching. Knowing that my interest lay with composition, he would play works by Delius or Ravel, Beethoven or Debussy, stopping and starting and taking the music apart to focus on particular ideas, concepts and movements within the music, always illustrating his thoughts—just as he did in many of his recitals—with perceptive remarks and humorous anecdotes. He always seemed so alive to things and his enthusiasm for music and life appeared boundless. His naturally effervescent and charming personality also spilled into the Choir rehearsals, where he conducted an oftentimes appallingly out of tune bunch (in which I include myself) with calm, patience and a barely disguised half-smile on his lips. Only occasionally did some of us spot the more melancholy moods into which Alan would quietly slip. During such times, the conversation might turn to more fundamental questions, and Alan would speak of his quest for peace and harmony, and his deep interest in Krishnamurti, as well as Douglas Harding and Ramana Maharshi. Alan pursued these questions with curiosity and interest until the end of his life.

Alan eventually retired from the RCM and, some years later, from teaching at Brockwood. Many of his former students took great delight in meeting him in London. I remember how extraordinarily energetic he always seemed to be, despite his advancing years—he regularly and half-jokingly complained that, since he had retired, he had never been so busy. Inevitably we would hear of new piano arrangements of orchestral pieces, performances all over Europe, pupils coming over, piano duets being undertaken, interviews, active participations in numerous music societies, Alexander Technique teaching and trips to India. Then Alan would, with a twinkle in his eye, tell us an old joke, speak of a meeting with Krishnamurti, comment on what it was like to work with John Ireland, then step over to the piano and deliver some blissfully inspiring rendition of a Schubert Impromptu to a few friends in his Sitting Room. Alan remained joyfully and constantly active until a few weeks before his passing, when his cancer took hold and began to affect him seriously. By that time, it seemed to him, he had done enough in his life and was ready to go; and shortly after, he did.

It is difficult to sum up the degree of affection so many of us had for Alan. To many, he was a brilliant musician, a unique interpreter and a truly wonderful and inspiring teacher. To others, he was also a great and deeply cherished friend. I am immensely thankful to be able to say that he was both to me.
All of us at Brockwood remember Alan with joy, friendship and gratitude. His music and presence at the school will never be forgotten.

by Valentin Gerlier, former student and current staff.

During his time at the Menuhin school, Peter trained under legendary teacher and musician Nadia Boulanger. Peter often mentioned her name in his music classes at Brockwood, not only citing her as a tremendous influence on his musical life, but quoting her pearls of wisdom and often regaling us with some of her witticisms. Peter liked to tell and re-tell such anecdotes with gusto and child-like glee, and no matter how many times we had heard the stories before, we students had to laugh again; which we did, partly because they were funny, but also—I must confess—to attempt to postpone the dreaded moment when the laughter would subside, and Peter would pull out his old, beaten-up music theory book, and launch into his well-known adagio—‘and how about clapping and counting out loud?’—to submit us to some extraordinarily complex musical exercises. He would then display a saint-like patience as we clapped and counted away, all silently looking forward to the next joke. Only later did I find out what kind of musician Nadia Boulanger had been: a one-time student of the composer Fauré and collaborator to Stravinsky, she had taught such twentieth century luminaries as Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla and Quincy Jones, to name but a few. It was then I realised that being in the presence of Peter would mean to be in touch with a fantastic musician, and that I would from then on have to pay a little more attention to the dreaded music theory book.

On first appearance, Peter could come across as a shy and retiring man and it was not always easy to get to know him. Yet, despite the great awe so many of us held him in, it was also a delight to talk with Peter, not least for his dry wit and fondness for telling jokes and anecdotes. In class, he taught with clearness and sobriety, but was also a very fair and patient tutor, who never seemed to mind what level any of us were at, so long as we brought dedication and interest to the class. I also remember feeling some shame that the one time music teacher of such stars as Nigel Kennedy should be wasting his time on my absolutely abysmal sight-reading skills.

Yet Peter was patient with me for, as anyone who has experienced his teaching would have been struck by, he was animated by an altogether different force, which seemed to come directly from the music itself rather than from his own ideas. This quality of being extraordinarily alive and responsive to the music was always there, whenever music was in the room. Whether we looked at a simple music exercise for children or a complex symphony score, Peter always responded to the music with complete and undivided attention; a kind of attention that seemed to bring him tremendous vitality and an almost child-like joy and curiosity as to what the music was doing, as though he himself was discovering it for the first time!

Such energy made us understand music in a completely different way, and it also taught us something of the nature of attention which went far beyond ‘just’ musical skills. One session I recall was spent almost entirely playing a simple C major chord on the piano; listening carefully, emphasising different notes, discovering the quality of that particular key, coming to touch and hearing the silent order within it. Everything we did had to be music, for Peter always insisted that everything a musician plays must be music, all the time. And music, we learnt, was born from pure attention.

Peter brought far more to Brockwood than just inspiring music classes. He regularly attended the dialogues, displayed great interest in what was going on in the school and gave generously of his time whenever he could be helpful—including doing, over the years, what must have amounted to a Herculean amount of Rota [washing-up]. Through him, students and staff alike were invited to special concerts and events, where world class musicians played to a small circle of music enthusiasts. Whenever he could, he brought such players to the school, and Soloists, Chamber Music ensembles and String Quartets alike regularly performed in Brockwood’s Assembly Hall. In all these things he displayed immense generosity and willingness to share his passion.

Peter continued to teach at Brockwood until 2007, when his illness, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, forced him to retire. Several years later, a concert was organised in his honour at the school. Peter attended and, though the effects of the illness were noticeable, he still displayed the extraordinary quality of joy and attention towards the music we had all known him for. His last few years saw Peter bear his illness with great dignity, and he was peaceful until the end.

Speaking personally, Peter Norris was without a doubt the most remarkable musician and music teacher I have ever known. Those of us who were privileged to have been his students remember him with immense gratitude, and wish to thank him for all that he did for us and for Brockwood.

by Valentin Gerlier, former student and current staff.

View of the Pavilion site from the North Lawn.

View from near the Assembly Hall with new discreet parking lot on the left.

Walking towards the site from outside the Assembly Hall, with the Art Barn in the distance.

View from the west side of the future courtyard garden.

View from the east side of the future courtyard garden.

Inside Pavilion 3.

Inside one of the bedrooms in Pavilion 4.

View on the back of the Cloisters from bedroom window in Pavilion 4.

Inside Pavilion 5.

Inside Pavilion 5.

View on the Sunken Garden Pond from Pavilion 5 through triple pane windows.

From the 1st floor of Pavilion 5.

Through the skylight of Pavilion 5.

Standing outside right in between Pavilion 5 and 6.

Standing in front of Pavilion 6, tower in the background.

http://www.justgiving.com/PavilionProjectBeautifulNewLandscape

Below are two introductions to this exciting project, a short one from Co-principal Bill Taylor and a Design Brief from former Head Gardener, current Trustee Gary Primrose:

Brief introduction:

Do you remember visiting the Grove on an early spring morning, the grass damp underfoot, the sky blue and full of promise, sunlight touching the tops of the sequoias and the fragrance of azaleas in the air? Do you remember digging for potatoes in the walled garden, or climbing for apples, or hunting strawberries and raspberries and only half of them made it back to the kitchen? Do you remember lying on your back on the South Lawn in the shade of the Cedar of Lebanon – or was it the Tulip tree – staring into the canopy and being filled with wonder?

Brockwood is surrounded by wondrous spaces that nourish us all and impress themselves on the minds and hearts of students, staff and visitors. Now we would like to create a beautiful new space, by landscaping the area between and around our seven Pavilions.

We are fortunate in having Gary Primrose, our former Head Gardener and current Trustee, prepare an attractive and effective design for this project. Here he explains the vision for the space. We hope you will like it as much as we do and assist us as best you can to make it happen.

Bill Taylor, Co-principal

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Design Brief for the Pavilion Courtyard

The courtyard is a secluded, south facing space surrounded on three sides by the adjoining green roofed verandah that connects the seven Pavilions. It will be a popular, protected gathering and studying environment for students and staff. Approximately two thirds of the area will be lawn with a specimen tree and surrounding bench. This sheltered space will be held by sculpted yew hedges at the south end which will double as a stage set for school plays. Behind the hedges will be a ‘hidden garden’ – a rectangular pond bound by mostly native planting and accessed from both sides by a board walk. The entrance through the hedges to the pond will be on a central axis and directed to a focal point – a sculpture or tree behind the pond. A wooden deck adjoining the pond with built in benches will make this area attractive for studying and reflection. It will be hidden from the road by vertical oak stanchions, perennial grasses and shrub planting. The planting throughout the design will favour plants that attract bees, butterflies and birds, be of interest year round and be relatively low maintenance. The courtyard garden will have disabled access.

Gary Primrose, Trustee, former Brockwood Head Gardener
(Gary was born in Kenya in 1950 but grew up in Western Canada. He joined Brockwood as a staff member in 1977 and stayed until 1993 working in the kitchen, garden and teaching. From Brockwood he went to live and work in the English Lake District where he designs and maintains gardens. He completed an MA at Lancaster University in 2006 specializing in the history of the Lake District landscape. In 2010 he became a trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust.)

Our first presentation this term was “Rainforest Etiquette in a World Gone Mad” by alumna and award-winning ecologist Suprabha Seshan. You can see this fascinating talk on our YouTube channel here:

Our second talk was by alumnus and psychiatrist Reuben Weininger. He talked about “What Brockwood was like in the early 1970′s; living with Krishnamurti; the yoga curriculum; and the influence of Brockwood on his further development as a psychiatrist.” See this inspiring presentation here:

Our third and last presentation this term is by alumna and Head of two Children’s Centres, Martina Street. This talk too will be on our YouTube Channel sooner than later: Brockwood Park School Youtube Channel

We would like to invite you to offer something for Present Tense next term. Please send us an email (alumni@brockwood.org.uk), or give a call, if you’d like to either speak yourself or know someone whom you think would be good for such events. We may be able to help with travel costs (within Europe) if required, we can certainly ensure hospitality and a good meal. Most presentations will occur on a Saturday at 5:30pm but dates are negotiable.

Student and staff cooking together in the main kitchen.

Students enjoying the desserts they made for the whole school
Samples of the food festival buffet




Spain.
Japan.
Students collecting and sorting out apples in order to make Brockwood’s own organic apple juice.
Students pressing apples, making delicious juice.
Bon appétit!

Completed Green Roof.


The Green Roof came in little squares!
Head of Maintenance Yannick and Co-principal Bill monitor progress.

Students, Mature Students and Staff taking a tour of the newly erected structures with Carpenter Oak Ltd.

Three of the seven pavilions are currently up.

View from the Art Barn.
View from inside where we can see a railing where a second floor will be.

Putting on one of the roof tops where natural light will bring it all to life once the buildings are finished.





The Carpenter Oak Ltd. team.