Jane Midwinter

I’m Jane Midwinter, trustee and singing leader for Music for the Memory and I feel privileged and delighted to be part of this wonderful charity.

My passion for music started at the age of six, when one day, I climbed up onto the piano stool and started playing ‘Spanish Eyes’ – a 1966 hit single by Al Martino – on our old upright!  I used to love watching Dad playing and I wanted to play just like him.  Dad played brilliantly, by ear, unable to read a single musical note, but he told me he wanted me to learn how to play ‘properly’!  I was therefore given piano lessons and soon discovered that the patterns of dots and lines, squiggles and shapes on the paper in front of me, translated into wonderful sounds that I was able to make… I was hooked!

My working life started in public relations and secretarial work, back in the late 1970s.  However, I retrained as a teacher just after I was married, qualifying in 1987.  My career in teaching spans over 30 years, with my current role being a Head of School.  In my many different teaching roles, I have led the primary music curriculum, singing groups for pre-school children, school choirs, orchestras and community choirs and have had the pleasure of working on a school project with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which culminated in the school children performing at Glyndebourne!  I have run Indian drumming workshops with professional musicians, played in samba bands, led recorder clubs and given piano lessons, and written and co-directed a school musical in celebration of the millennium!  In short – music has always been an important part of my personal and professional life.

I have two wonderful children, two gorgeous grandchildren, a patient husband, three chickens, an allotment, a very old house and a vintage caravan at the bottom of my garden (where I hide when I want a bit of peace and quiet!) and I count myself very lucky to have my Mum and most of my family living close by.

I joined Music for the Memory over two years ago and am thrilled to still be singing with our members each week – despite the pandemic!  Yes – we’re currently online!  Now, working alongside the other trustees, I look forward to continuing to support our members in many different ways, and ensuring the sustained success of Music for the Memory.