Remembering Redditch's talented music lover Graham Moseley - The Redditch Standard

Remembering Redditch's talented music lover Graham Moseley

Redditch Editorial 27th Mar, 2019   0

GRAHAM Moseley had a habit of getting lost in music.

Asked to play the organ at Southwark Cathedral in London for his stepson’s wedding, he carried on after the ceremony to the delight of people popping in to visit the historic building, who thought he was there for their entertainment.

Born and bred in Redditch, for 60 years Graham was organist at Headless Cross Methodist Church before it was demolished.

As it happened this freed him up to play at other churches including St Stephen’s, St George’s and at Emmanuel Church in the Ecumenical Centre where he played his final service a week before he died, aged 88, last month.




“He loved to improvise on the keyboard, and if you asked him to write it down he never could because it was there and then gone,” said Pat, his wife of 25 years.

“At home he’d sit there with his earphones on playing and if tea was ready I’d have to stand in front of him so he’d know.”


The son of piano teacher Cyril Moseley, music was Graham’s life.

Such was his talent he quickly became the musician of choice both in church on the organ and, when sat at the piano, for choirs and choral societies.

“Any special services, memorial services, the civic services, right up until last year, he played them all,” said Pat.

“He was also in demand with all the choirs as he had a special feel for the music which you need when they are singing.”

The couple, who had both been widowed, met when Graham arrived to play accompaniment for Arrow Vale Singers where Pat was a member.

They became friends and love blossomed.

Pat then moved on to the Primrose Choir, where Graham played accompaniment for six years.

He also played for Alcester Male Voice Choir, Redditch Choral Society – where he became a firm friend of its renowned music director Alma Bright Clarke – and countless others.

Church organist and local historian Philip Jarvis, who spoke at Graham’s funeral said: “People of Graham’s ability are a special breed.

“Within two days of his death the organ at St Stephen’s went wrong, and he wasn’t there to fix it. It was almost as if it was letting us know how upset it was at his passing.”

Graham’s funeral was held at St Stephen’s Church earlier this month.

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