WALLACE ROSSWallace Ross, who led hundreds of musicians and singers in the city for more than 40 years, died on January 20, aged 89.
He moved to Derby in 1958 to become Master of Music at the cathedral and also taught music, Latin, Greek and history at the former Sturgess School, in Markeaton Street.
Wallace, who lived in Park Grove, off Kedleston Road, until he fell ill four years ago, was Master of Music at Derby Cathedral from 1958 until 1982.
He formed the Derby Bach Choir, the Derby Cathedral Orchestra, which was later renamed the Derby Symphonic Orchestra, and the Cathedral Brass Ensemble.
He used to take the cathedral choir to Cadeby in Leicestershire every year where they would sing carols around the village.
Wallace's other main passion was steam engines and he used to see a friend who had a narrow gauge steam railway. He was also a fan of rugby and real ale.
Russ Hamer, a former pupil of Wallace's, contacted the Derby Telegraph after hearing of his teacher's death.
He said: "There will, without a shadow of a doubt, not be another quite like him.
"He was one of the most influential people in my life and I wish I had taken the time to seek him out and vocalise this while he lived."
For the last four years of his life, Wallace lived at Kilburn Nursing Home after suffering a fall near his Derby home.
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