Elizabeth Moore
1941-2024

Liz Moore joined Sevenoaks School as a cello teacher in 1971. She had been a cellist in the National Youth Orchestra before being awarded the Sterndale Bennett Scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music. Those who were around in January of 1971 will remember the bitterly cold temperatures and New Year snowfalls that made for a demanding start to the year. This would never have deterred Liz, whose time at Sevenoaks was characterised by resilience and determination.

Liz was a devoted teacher, always challenging her students to greater achievements and consistent standards. For those students hooked in by the high bar she set, fast learning ensued. Liz was a perfectionist and when at her best, the cello playing at Sevenoaks School was absolutely outstanding; there were many occasions where this excellence was evident. One piece she coached many times, and to notable success on two occasions in the National Chamber Music Competition for Schools (the forerunner of Pro Corda), was Heitor Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 for solo soprano and eight cellos. The piece was also performed in the Pamoja Hall for the inaugural concert at The Space on 27 April 2010.

Liz was continuo cellist for the Thomas Tallis Society for 10 years and performed regularly with the local Cantate Choir. She played on radio programmes, including Classic FM’s Masterclass in 1994 with the Amicitia String Quartet and for the BBC In Praise of God series in 1998 with The Chantry Choir.

Liz retired from Sevenoaks in 2014 and was a wonderful team player, devoted to her craft and an absolutely terrific ambassador for music at Sevenoaks School.

Christopher Dyer