John Joubert is known as one of South Africa's greatest composers of classical music and regarded in the very highest echelons of British composers and musicians. Parallel to his career as a composer, he was a legendary teacher for many years.

He attended Bishops from 1935 - 1944.   

He excelled at Music at school, earning a distinction in this subject in his Matric year.

After leaving Bishops he went to UCT where he studied music, and after that proceeded to Durham University where he obtained a further degree in music. He spent two decades of his professional life teaching composition at The University of Birmingham (after teaching at the University of Hull from 1950-1962) before retiring to focus on composition.  He was an integral and influential part of the development of Birmingham's reputation as a centre of music excellence.

From notes in the Bishops archives sent in by Nicholas Bicket (1973FH), himself an accomplished musician, Joubert's early influence and mentor was Dr Claude Brown who was the Director of Music at Bishops from 1934 - 1965.  According to Nicky’s notes referring to Joubert it says: "John loved Bishops and was ready at every possible moment to talk about his happy times at School". He is known to generations of Bishops boys (and others) as the composer of the carol "Torches" which since it was written has been sung at almost every Bishops Carol Service.

Sadly, John passed away on 07 January 2019.

His funeral service was held at St Nicolas Church in King's Norton in Birmingham, where the congregation was huge, and of which Nicky Bicket was part.     

Nicky reports: The choral music was sung by the Birmingham Bach Choir and Ex Cathedra, conducted by Paul Spicer.  David Saint was the organist.  There were two anthems, Braham's Geistliches Lied and John's own, very beautiful The Souls of the Righteous.  Of the four hymns, Give us Wings of Faith was composed by John and another, Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost was sung to the tune Capetown.  A fitting moving closure.

The eulogies at the service focused on John's compassion, modesty, imagination, musicality and huge intellect (Nicky Bicket).

According to Nicky, the fond memories of Bishops, especially the reflective Sunday evensong left a huge impact on John. 

He taught and inspired countless young people in music.

This year the Memorial Chapel at Bishops will commemorate its 100th year, constructed six months before the John Pierre Herman Joubert was born, OD Extraordinaire.

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Further information - as a result of sharing the posting above with John's daughter Anna Joubert, invaluable information was sent by her.

Anna writes: "Dad won a Performing Right Society scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music which prompted his relocation to London. Dad wrote this biography himself which also refers to Diocesan College: https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/composer/802/John-Joubert/ ".

John was married to Mary whom he met at the Royal Academy and she is still a very sprightly 95 year old!

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(Postscript):

Nicky Bicket recently wrote in to share the news that Londinium (one of London’s leading choirs) will be recording a CD of John Jouberts' previously unrecorded choral works, a wonderful tribute to his talent and all the beautiful music that he composed.

Andy Wood (1977GH) the Executive Director at the ODU recently wrote to Anna Joubert the daughter of John congratulating her on her Father's great achievements.

An article by David Wordsworth on John Joubert can be found on the website 'https://johnjoubert.org.uk/'

Reading the Music report in the Diocesan College Magazine from December 1944, written by John Joubert the secretary of the society, and student in Ogilvie House, it does not come as a surprise that this person one day would follow a career in music that would reach the highest possible heights.