Introduction
James Brian Bonsor MBE (21 August 1926 – 22 February 2011) was a Scottish-born composer and teacher specialising in the recorder.
Life and career
Bonsor was born in Hawick in 1926. He was awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to teaching music, especially the recorder. The Enjoy the Recorder (Schott & Co. Ltd. ISBN 0-901938-71-8) book is widely used in schools. His compositions include arrangements for recorders of Mock Morris (Percy Grainger, 1985), Cats (Andrew Lloyd Webber) and the Emperor Waltz (Johann Strauss, 1985). Bonsor was a musical director for the Society of Recorder Players starting in 1957.
Bonsor spent about 35 years in musical education, latterly as Regional Advisor.
Brian Bonsor wrote the piano piece Dreamy, which was featured in Trinity Guildhall's 2012-2014 Grade 6 repertoire. His piece Feelin' Good was included in both the ABRSM's 05/06 grade 6 repertoire and the RCM's grade 7 repertoire, and Willie Wagglestick's Walkabout for the ABRSM's 07/08 grade 7 repertoire.
Bonsor died in Hawick on 22 February 2011.
List of compositions
- Bagatelle
- Beguine For Descant, Treble Recorders & Piano 1959
- Dreamy for Piano
- Feelin' Good
- Willie Wagglestick's Walkabout
- Rumba for Descant + Treble Recorders & Piano
- Three Into 5 for Recorders and Piano
- Tig
List of arrangements
- Mock Morris
- Cats
- Emperor Waltz