4BR has been informed of the death of the Cornish composer and organist Montague James Pearce, known to all as 'Monty', who died on January 29th.

Redruth native

A native of Redruth, his musical education started aged seven when he commenced piano lessons with Donald Broad, the organist and choirmaster at Redruth Methodist Chapel.

A few years later he joined his father Ernest and brothers Jack and Leonard in Redruth Town Band, starting on baritone, transferring to euphonium and finally settling on bass trombone.

Good stead

At the age of eighteen he was appointed Deputy Bandmaster, experience which stood him in good stead in his later life as a professional musician.

He went on to enjoy great success and became well known all over the country for his outstanding talent as an organist. He played on many musical tours on cruise liners and visits to several other countries.

A modest and engaging man, Monty Pearce wore his considerable talent lightly, always ready for a friendly word with all he met and he was a familiar figure at brass band events4BR

Composer

His interest in composing had started by the late 1940’s and he became particularly well known for his hymn tunes, the first of which, 'Mowbray', was published in 1950.

Monty had that innate skill, so often found in Cornish composers, of being able to write memorable hymn tunes and set them to the most appropriate words.

Eight of them arranged for brass band, were published in 1991, the most popular being 'Treskerby', which he had named after the birthplace of his wife, Florence.

Dedication

In recent years he had been working with the young Cornish composer, Gareth Churcher, in arranging some of the pieces for brass band.

As well as dedication to his family, Monty fitted many other activities into his busy life, including ownership of Hayle Cinema and a music shop in Redruth.

Modest man

A modest and engaging man, Monty Pearce wore his considerable talent lightly, always ready for a friendly word with all he met and he was a familiar figure at brass band events.

There was no doubt that everyone at his Funeral at Redruth Methodist Church agreed with the Reverend Amanda Stevens when she summed Monty up as, 'A True Cornish Gentleman'.

Thanks to Philip Hunt