Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 10:25 PM

It would be good to know the time of the service to pause and remember today.

I intended to be there but I guess this one should be for family and those so close, as there will be so many.

Richard

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Sue Rule
Date: 02 Oct 13 - 03:57 AM

Only just heard this sad, sad news. I did not know Sarah well, but she was one of the people who shaped my folk journey. To lose her so soon is tragic. Deepest sympathies to those close to her.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Dave/MaryGoulder
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 08:56 AM

Taking a long time to get used to this sad news. A one-off special, Sarah will be missed by so many in so many different ways. The memories are still flooding back after such a long friendship. Sincere condolences to all who were close to Sarah.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 08:14 AM

A glass (Or Several) was raised for Sarah in Portland Maine last Wednesday ~

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,flyingcat(moira)
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 07:15 AM

The viva for sarah's doctorate took place last night. the University agreed for it to go ahead without her. Carolyn conducted Wnchester choir, 2 members who were on the Choir leaders course led and taught two pieces of new and work in process pieces and Carolyn, mary eagle and myself sang three songs that Sarah had either written or created the harmonies for. It was a brilliant night and the examiners were visably moved.
We hope for her to become Dr Sarah Morgan and be formally recognised for her work in folk music and community choirs.

Moira

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 07:38 AM

Moira-
Sarah's gifts and grace are well matched by those of her close friends. Thank you all for your efforts in her honor.

Subject: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,flyingcat(moira)
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:41 AM

Message via Chrissie Ferngrove.

"I am very proud to announce that Sarah has just been awarded the Professional Doctorate by Contribution to Public Work at the University of Winchester. The examiners were extremely impressed with her submission and were very happy to make the posthumous award. Congratulations Sarah, we are all very proud of your work and what a wonderful legacy to leave to all of us. You are greatly missed and an inspiration to everyone xx"

Absolutely brilliant, I never doubted it for a moment. The Viva was a wonderful representation of what she achieved. well done to everyone involved
Moira
Yaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:48 AM

HOw wonderful -Sarah would have been so proud.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 09:03 AM

Wet eyes here. Well done, Sarah, family, and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 09:57 AM

Excellent news, but also so sad..
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 01:12 PM

Congratulations to Moira, Carolyn and Mary. And, of course, to the Good Doctor, who I didn't know but anyone who is awarded a Doctorate impresses me a LOT. RIP, Doctor.

Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 07:15 PM

Justly deserved and very fitting . I have to admit to having had damp eyes when I read the news - but no surprise.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:04 PM

And from me too. I have sung several of CMR's songs (often Sarah's arrangements) since first hearing that she was ill. "Crossing the Bar" at Penicuik last night, which was where I first met/heard CMR around 2007.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Simon Furey
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 10:18 AM

How very understanding of the university to grant Sarah her (well-deserved) doctorate, and how sad that she never lived to receive it. It's a fitting tribute to a smashing and gifted person whom I had been privileged to know since 1971. I love the viva concert video as well.
Keep you in peace, Sarah.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Howard Kaplan
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 03:29 PM

What viva concert video? Is it on-line?

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: RTim
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 07:06 PM

Here is the link to the Viva Presentation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgxRwHIfQ14&feature=youtu.be

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Simon Furey
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 04:12 AM

Does anybody know if and how Sarah's song books are still available to buy? They were available from her personally, but of course not now. I have friends and family across the world who want them having seen the video.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 05:19 AM

Thanks so much for the Video link Tim - it was amazing to watch and such a testiment to Sarah's genius. I was in tears at the end as well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 06:45 AM

Simon Furey and others- Plenty of inspiration in the form of books and cds right here:
http://www.cmr-harmony.org.uk/.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 06:57 AM

Thanks Maeve, but sadly the CMR website contains only links to Sarah for her books. That's my point.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 07:46 AM

Her singing partners, Caroline and Moira, will certainly be the ones to consult. Their contact information is on the website. It may take some time for orders to be filled- I'm guessing- but no harm in inquiring.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Simon Furey
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 12:28 PM

Thanks, Maeve. I'll try that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Carolyn Wacher
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 08:25 AM

CMR came to Aberystwyth in early July this year, gave a fantastic workshop followed by a concert in the evening, in which our choir, Heartsong was the warm-up act.

I and another member, Peter had sung with CMR previously at Whitby and other places, but the rest of the choir were overwhelmed by their wonderful harmonies, so many of them written by Sarah. We had no inkling of Sarah's illness, and her death was such a shock.

We were so lucky to have had the experience of working with Sarah, Carolyn and Moira. I've just watched the Viva performance and will send it round to other members of the choir.

Thank you Sarah, Carolyn and Moira for all your magnificent work and our condolences for the loss of such a good friend and colleague.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 29 Oct 13 - 04:30 PM

This is the first time I have tuned in to Mudcat for long time.
So late it may be to make a comment, but...........
I consider myself fortunate to have met Sarah and enjoyed her music.
From the days she visited llandeilo club and the times I met her with Moira and Carolyn ..............Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 07:53 AM

I just happened to spot, in the Guardian last Wednesday (and unexpected, because so belatedly published) this affectionate tribute from Suse. I'm not clear why it only appeared in hard print this month when the date online is 19 December.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 08:20 AM

Kitty.... increasingly, the Guardian is putting obits (especially Other Lives) on the website in advance of print publication, and some do not get print published as well. ... Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 08:25 AM

Thanks so much for posting this, Kitty! I think this part bears repeating:

In the last weeks of her life she finished her doctoral submission (her PhD was awarded posthumously by Winchester University). Her thesis, "Community Choirs - A Musical Transformation: A Review of My Work in Management, Music, Choir Leadership and Folk Song", will be published as an ebook; a Sarah Morgan Foundation is being created to continue her work.


Sarah, Ralphie, now Pete Seeger… can't see for the tears...

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 09:03 AM

I remember once hearing a delightful account of how an unsuspecting group of carol singers knocked at Sarah's door, and were treated to a much better performance of their carol, from the occupants of the house.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 09:22 AM

Here is the text from Herga Kitty's link a couple of posts back- well worth including it here:

Sarah Morgan obituary       Su Jordan
    The Guardian, Thursday 19 December 2013 09.52 EST        

"Sarah Morgan, who has died from cancer aged 65, was a linchpin of the English traditional folk scene. What had begun as a musical interest led her through a capella harmony singing with Mary Eagle, Bread & Roses and Hen Party, to the trio Craig, Morgan, Robson.

She performed regularly, led harmony workshops at folk festivals including Chippenham and Whitby, and founded community choirs in Winchester and Andover with English folk music at the heart of their repertoires – including many of her own arrangements. Recently, she ran conferences on community choirs at Winchester University and at the folk arts centre Cecil Sharp House in London. Her hobby became her profession.

Born in Epsom, Surrey, into an RAF family, Sarah inherited her father Philip Groom's love of music and wicked sense of humour, and her mother Lynette's love of nature. She performed in musicals at her church youth group as a teenager, and a boyfriend encouraged her in solo singing.

After A-levels, Sarah spent time teaching in working-class schools in Liverpool, and this started a journey on which she would find fulfilment through enabling development in others.

In Brighton in the 1960s, while training as a teacher, she married Don Morgan, helping bring up his young children and becoming immersed in the vibrant folk scene. Over the next 25 years, she went from horse-riding instruction to youth training to management training (latterly for Ofcom).

Sarah completed an English degree as a mature student at Reading University. Wanting to continue her education beyond this, in the last weeks of her life she finished her doctoral submission (her PhD was awarded posthumously by Winchester University). Her thesis, Community Choirs - A Musical Transformation: A Review of My Work in Management, Music, Choir Leadership and Folk Song, will be published as an ebook; a Sarah Morgan Foundation is being created to continue her work.

In 1992, she married Steve Jordan, gaining another stepchild – me. In 1995, they moved from Winchester to the small Hampshire village of St Mary Bourne, where Sarah lived and maintained her beautiful cottage and garden until her death. Sarah was an affectionate, generous, highly intelligent woman with a successful career and a busy, full life; an inspirational role model.

Sarah and Steve divorced four years ago. She is survived by another stepdaughter, Angela, me and my daughter Clio - her beloved new grandchild."

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 12:28 PM

Lovely. Thanks for posting.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 01:36 PM

Thanks Maeve - it's still worth clicking on the link for Angus's lovely photo of Sarah and her choir!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Dr. Sarah Morgan R.I.P. (Sep 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 01:51 PM

Agreed- it's a lovely photo!