THE Grahamstown Music society bade farewell to Dr Timothy Radloff with a lifetime chairmanship honour after his retirement from the society. Although he has been chairman since 2003, Radloff’s involvement with the society goes back 38 years.
THE Grahamstown Music society bade farewell to Dr Timothy Radloff with a lifetime chairmanship honour after his retirement from the society. Although he has been chairman since 2003, Radloff’s involvement with the society goes back 38 years.
His first job in the society was selling tickets. Later, he was given more responsible tasks like compiling programme notes, designing posters and writing reviews.
Radloff has enjoyed working for the society but admits there is a lot of ‘background’ activity in running an organisation of this nature. The society organises about eight concerts every year. These are usually confirmed one year in advance.
Assisted by committee members and volunteers, Radloff’s duties included publicity, design, placement of posters, compiling the programme, programme notes , travel and accomodation arrangements.
Growing up on a farm in Modderpoort in the Free State, Radloff studied music at school, specialising in piano. After a stint in the defense force, he enrolled at Rhodes University in 1965 to study for a BA degree. After that he enrolled for a Bachelor of Music degree.
"1970 was my gap year, where I taught piano at the University and was fortunate to secure a post as junior lecturer the following year."
This was when he began assisting in the society as a staff representative.
The highlight of his job engaging with musicians through email, phone calls, and meeting them at the airport.
Other highlights include meeting international musicians like Dutch soprano Elly Ameling and pianists, Julius Katchen and Hans Richter-Haase.
"I enjoy that aspect of my work, it’s not a job, it’s more of a bonus.
Alen Bamford, the treasurer of the Grahamstown Music Society said Radloff will be missed.
Radloff believes that the society needed a change and he is happy to hand over to a younger person.
Next year Radloff will attend two conferences abroad – one focussing on Grieg in Berlin and one celebrating Haydn in Wellington, New Zealand.
"These are two of my favourite composers and I will be conducting research for possible publication in certain music journals. I’m very excited about it," he said.
