SIR Edward Elgar may have been reluctant to give his autograph, and indeed is rumoured to have charged for it on occasions, but when a new and very nervous nine-year-old chorister, wearing an Eton bum freezer and mortar board, ran after him in Hereford, he gave it willingly and with a kind word.

Sir Edward was walking back with Bernard Shaw from a concert where he had conducted this little boy in The Kingdom. The little boy was Michael Morris, who remembers to this day having enjoyed the experience of being conducted by him so much, that determination overcame shyness.

Now aged 83, Mr Morris looks back with joy at the life of music that he experienced, living within walking distance of the cathedral that has featured to strongly in his life.

In those early days, education was sacrificed to the music and the young boys sang matins most mornings and evensong at 6pm.

The church festivals brought more services, in addition to 90 minutes practice every day, until the voice broke. And what happens when the voice breaks?

Michael was lucky to progress to be a bass singer and his continuing love of the music brought ultimately the post of chorus superintendent for Hereford in the Three Choirs Festivals, reluctantly retiring in 1995 after the death of his wife.

"Fifty years later, my son became a Chorister with Donald Hunt," he said, "learning the art of choral singing under a great tutor, and so much more. Now in his 30s, he is still involved in music - organising pop festivals - but he learnt mental discipline, organisational skills, an ability to meet easily with all ages and all walks of life, self sufficiency, and even now has no watch, but is never late."

By Susan J Dolman