The obituary notice of Alan CALDER

I have only found out about this now and it saddens me to hear this news. My most prominent memory of Mr Calder was when I was a pupil at K.A. I wanted to get involved in Pantomime but was nervous about having to sing. Noticing this Mr Calder belted out a tune and then promptly asked me "Do you think I can sing?" when I didn't answer he looked at me deadpan and said "No, I can't. But I'm confident when I do, and that's all that matters." and that it a lesson that's stuck with me since. Rest in Peace sir.

Only Just learned about the passing of this great man. Music was without a doubt my favourite class and Mr Calder was without a doubt my favourite teacher. I wont forget the countless times we watched amadeus, mr bean playing the invisible drums or playing peter, paul and mary (which mr Calder always joined in). He was a great teacher, I'm truly sad that I will never be able to thank him for what he musically did for me. He was an incredible musician and I hope that he will rest in paradise forever.

I remember Mr Calder fondly from my time at school in the early 90s as one of the best teachers I had.

Unlike other subjects - his classes were laidback, unique and fun - he used to make us laugh and have a laugh with us. I remember his wit, sarcasm & a temper (I still recall him flying through the door of our keyboard room when we’d put all the keyboards into auto-play & cranked up the volume...which he could hear down the other end of the hall....supposedly!) - so it was justified!

He was also a great pianist. He would sit behind the old brown piano in class & allow his fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys - whether it be a pub knees up or a Bach concerto - depending on his mood or for comic effect. He managed to persuade me to sing for my Higher grades (I got a B)...lyrics I still find myself singing even today!

I learned that “there is no such thing as classical music”; to define music by its proper period & never to say, ever....that Johann Strauss was a good composer.

So it’s sad to learn of his passing - when I think back to my school days - it’s his classes that I remember - and some of our teachers who had funny names!

Thank you for such heart-filling tributes. Uncle Alan was such a special special man to so many people. Very much missed already.

Deeply saddened by the news, easily one of the best teachers of my time at the academy

Mr Calder - My all time favourite teacher. A wonderful, funny and kind man. Just loved him xxx