David Ullman (1913-1998).
David Ullman, who died on 12th August 1998 at Lismore in New South Wales, will be remembered with affection not only by those lucky enough to have been taught by him, but by all who knew him.
David Joined the music staff in 1951 and, with his high standards, sense of fun and enormous enthusiasm made an immediate impact on Sherborne. There is no doubt that his greatest contribution was the formation of the Military Band, the like of which the School had never had before. Somehow he assembled, taught, drilled – with Grenadier Guards precision – and inspired 48 ordinary boys, with all the usual physical shortcomings, into a really smart, efficient Unit that became the envy of every other school. Without the Band the CCF would have been just ordinary, but thanks to David’s drive and enthusiasm we were able to mount those huge parades for Field-Marshal Montgomery and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Lord Louis’ comment, ‘The finest Cadet Parade I have seen anywhere in the world’ was really a personal tribute to David.
In 1966 he and Mary and their son, Anthony, emigrated to Australia, first to Perth, initially as Director of Music at Christ Church Grammar School, and latterly to Goonellabah in New South Wales. He was active in many fields but it is probably for his lectures on Music Appreciation that he will be best and most fondly remembered. He had a great gift for communicating his love of music to others, and many in Australia are grateful for the extra dimension he gave to their lives.
There was never a dull moment with David. He was excellent company, despite his inexhaustible fund of excruciating jokes, and a real character, and we in the small pool of Sherborne were fortunate to have him with us for fifteen years.
Michael Earls-Davis.
Old Shirburnian Society Annual Record, November 1998.
David Ullman (1913-1998).
Born 9 September 1913.
ARAM, Stokes Scholar of the Royal Academy of Music.
Band Master of the Grenadier Guards.
Served as Musician no.304861 Grenadier Guards.
Assistant Master (Music), Sherborne School, 1951-1966.
Director of Music, Christ Church Grammar School, Perth, Australia, and Goonellabah, New South Wales, Australia.
Died 12 August 1998.
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