Dr Guy Newbury

It is with deep sadness that the College reports the death of Dr Guy Newbury, Lecturer in Music at Pembroke for over 27 years.  Guy was a much-loved colleague, tutor, composer and musician, and will be dearly missed.

Born in Inverness, Guy arrived in Oxford in 1982 to study Music at Magdalen College.  He also studied piano with Denis Matthews and Audrey Inness, and composition with John Joubert and Jonathan Harvey.  Upon completion of his BA, Guy moved on to postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex and then the University of Durham, where he earned a PhD in Composition.

In 1989 he began teaching in Oxford, and four years later was appointed Lecturer in Music at Pembroke, a post he held until his death.  During his nearly three decades here, Guy was responsible for the Pembroke undergraduate Music cohort, in addition to teaching students from a wide range of colleges in Techniques of Composition, Analysis, Composition and Orchestration.  He also regularly assisted with Solo Performance as an interactive pianist, and in 2018 marked his 80th accompaniment in the Final Honour School Solo Performance. 

Guy’s great dedication to his students was clear to see.  Over the last five years, more than half of Pembroke’s musicians have gained first class degrees, a testament to Guy’s care and attention.  He continued to accompany many of his students after they graduated and went on to Music College, with several later becoming accomplished and well-known musicians and composers.

Guy is remembered by his students not only as a talented musician, but for the kindness, generosity, warmth and humour he demonstrated at all times.  His students recall that he was always available – in person or at the end of a phone call – whether for an eleventh-hour meeting to help with composition problems before a deadline, or simply as a kind, listening ear.  He responded to his students’ needs with enthusiasm and always with his warm sense of humour.  This attention to student welfare from his earliest years as a tutor has had an impact on the lives of generations of musicians, both during their time at Pembroke and long after.

His involvement in the musical life of the College extended beyond his teaching responsibilities.  Guy was a visible participant in fortnightly evening recitals in the Master’s Lodgings, as the accompanist of choice for instrumentalists of all styles and standards.  In the mid-2010s, with the completion of the College’s new Rokos facilities, Guy established the popular lunchtime recital series.  These weekly recitals brought guest performers into College as well as showcasing the talents of our own students and alumni to members of the local Oxford community.  Guy’s lunchtime recitals remain a central part of College life for musicians and others alike. 

The musical life and ministry of the chapel was equally close to Guy’s heart: he attended weekly, offering gentle suggestions and subtle guidance, and was involved in the selection and maintenance of organ scholars for over three decades.

Guy’s own musical accomplishments are extensive.  He has a significant number of vocal, chamber and instrumental compositions to his name, many having been performed by leading soloists and ensembles including the BBC Philharmonic, the BBC Singers, the Chamber Group of Scotland, Peter Lawson and Andrew Ball.  He also received commissions from the Choir of Magdalen College and from the Oxford Sinfonietta.  Guy was a regular pianist for the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra Residency Programme and Young Artist’s Platform, and a founder member of Oxford University’s ISIS Ensemble.

Guy has guided generations of Music students through our doors, and will be sorely missed by the Pembroke community and across the University.  We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.