We are saddened to report the death of Robert ‘Berty’ Rice, alumni of Tiffin School and a distinguished singer, teacher, and musician. He is remembered with deep affection and admiration by colleagues, friends, and former teachers, as well as by the many students whose musical lives he shaped. 

At Tiffin School, Berty was immersed in the full breadth of musical life. He was a central member of the Special Choir under Neville Creed, singing as both a treble and later as a baritone, and was widely regarded as one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic choristers of his 
generation. Neville Creed recalled him as “a leading light” in the choirs, whose presence brought strength and confidence to any part he sang. He, together with his friend, Paul Sheehan, would often arrive early to rehearsals in order to prepare the seating in the Range (always a challenge!) and put the music out. They would then remain afterwards to help clear up, embodying a quiet sense of responsibility and service. 

During his school years, Berty also played the cello and took part in a historic performance of Mahler’s Third Symphony at the Proms. Outside of music, he discovered a lifelong passion for skiing on a school trip, and later developed a great enthusiasm for cycling.

He was a fine singer who developed a rich baritone voice, supported by superb aural and sight-reading skills. It was clear from an early age that he would pursue a musical career, and he went on to a choral scholarship at King’s College, Cambridge. He studied French, German, and Music at A-level before going to King’s College, Cambridge, where he read Music. After Cambridge, Berty held positions as a lay clerk at Southwark Cathedral and Assistant Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral. He undertook postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music, gaining its highest performance award, the DipRAM, and establishing a distinctive professional career.

Alongside his performing career, Berty was an outstanding teacher, known for a rare combination of knowledge, curiosity, and dedication. His creative work left a lasting mark; his arrangements, including those for The King’s Singers, combined ingenuity, wit, and craftsmanship. Though characteristically self-effacing, these achievements stand as an enduring testament to his artistry.

Berty Rice is remembered for his exceptional musicianship and his character: modest, thoughtful, and quietly humorous. A supportive colleague and beloved teacher, his death is a profound loss to the many musical communities of which he was a part.