I first met George when I was 11 years old, a new boy at Watford Grammar School in 1959, the year that he was appointed Head Boy. He was an imposing figure as he marched into the school hall every day at the start of morning assembly, at the head of a line of prefects. Subsequently, he was kind enough to play the piano for my flute diploma exam. Not only was he a fine and perceptive musician, but he taught me many things about life as we rehearsed Bach and Mozart together. He was then, even as a young man, mature beyond his years, with a quiet, gentle determination. Whilst I only came across him briefly in subsequent decades, it is no surprise that he had such an illustrious career. He was a special man and will be greatly missed.