The music world mourns the passing of Leon Bailey, a devoted organist and educator whose passion for music touched countless lives over a long and varied career. He has died at the age of 94.
A Life Dedicated to Music and Education
Born in Portsmouth to May and Robert Bailey, Leon's musical journey began early. After being evacuated to Salisbury in 1939 and attending Queen's College, Taunton, he won an organ scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London in 1948. His national service with the RAF in the early 1950s saw him learn Russian and work in photographic intelligence in Cambridge.
His professional life in music education was extensive. He started with Staffordshire's peripatetic music service before becoming head of music at Cannock Grammar School in 1958. A notable achievement there was staging Benjamin Britten's 'Noye's Fludde'. In 1965, he moved to become a lecturer in music education at West Midlands College of Education in Walsall, also serving as assistant organist at St Matthew's church.
Academic Contributions and Later Life
In 1971, Bailey was appointed head of music at the City of Newcastle College of Education, later teaching on a creative arts BA at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University). His academic pursuits continued at Keele University in 1979, where he earned an MA with a dissertation on Stephen Sondheim.
He maintained a long association with the Open University, teaching music courses and summer schools, receiving a long-service certificate in 2006. Upon retiring from full-time work in 1986, he moved to Worcester and immersed himself in the local music scene.
Worcester's Cultural Pillar
In Worcester, Bailey became a central figure in choral activities. For ten years, he was the pianist for Worcester Cathedral's family service. He also chaired the city's University of the Third Age for three years during the 1990s and remained involved with parish church music until the end.
Leon married Kathleen Andrews in 1958, having first met her when she was his pupil. After Kathleen's death in 1997, he married Valda Moelwyn-Hughes in 2001. Together they enjoyed wide travels, engaging with local cultures. Valda moved to South Africa in 2024, though they did not divorce.
He is survived by Valda, his children Ros and the obituary's author from his first marriage, grandchildren Ruth, Daniel, and William, and great-grandchildren Harry and Michael.
