GFTU BGCM 2019 Minutes

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Doug.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Doug. I would like to second the vote of thanks

to the President. John joined the Executive shortly before I did. I thought that

was the case, but John had about four years on me. When I joined the

Executive John was one of the friendly faces who really made me feel

welcome, made me feel engaged and encouraged contribution. I took great

delight in introducing John earlier before he gave his address and in seconding

the vote of thanks to the President I am sure he will forgive me if I take equal

delight in infusing a touch of mischief into this particular address.

I have had several conversations with John about his distinguished career in

music, which was a distinguished career, by the way, and with typical good

humour he has always been rather self-deprecating about his achievements. I

also recall during his incoming address as President two years that he said that

the joke about tuba players is that they sit there either bored to death or scared

to death awaiting the moment to deliver their brief but important contributions.

There are lengthy periods of inactivity, but when you are called upon you had

better be alert and on point, because you do not get a chance to retrieve the

situation. In this respect the tuba player is rather like the goalkeeper in a

football team. If you do the job well you are respected, but your excellence is

almost taken for granted. However, if you make a mistake, it can be

disastrous, so you have to be alert to everything. You have to display patience,

you have to deliver timely interventions which support and enhance the overall

performance and body of work. In many ways, these mirror some of the

qualities which John has employed throughout his time as a member of the EC,

but, more significantly, during the two years of his presidency.

As Chair of the Executive, together with several other key committees, he has

navigated the GFTU through some challenging situations. Whilst John is a

man of great humour and impeccable good manners, his many years as

General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union and President of the International

Musicians’ Federation have given him the confidence and clarity to lead and

progress meetings efficiently and effectively. I often describe John as a man

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