Death of former principal of Scots music academy

Dr Havergal, who, with his penchant for wide-brimmed hats and elegant

bow ties, cut a familiar figure in Glasgow, arrived to take the reins of

the academy at a crucial stage in the development of that institution.

His arrival, and his impact, were described yesterday by a former

colleague as ''of the utmost significance''.

Previous principals of the RSAM, as it was then known, had also held

the post of Gardiner Professor at the University of Glasgow. With the

separation of the two posts, each institution could proceed with the

development of its individual character and qualities.

Henry MacLeod Havergal brought to the post the rich experience of

almost 30 years as an educationist. He had already held consecutively

four senior posts in education -- at Fettes College, Haileybury College,

Harrow, and as Master of Music at Winchester College.

''Henry thus had a very wide ranging experience of the educational

function of music,'' said Frederick Rimmer, former Gardiner Professor of

Music at Glasgow University, speaking yesterday. ''And his particular

role and influence at the academy was that he reorganised the whole of

its function and developed all aspects of its work.''

The groundwork for the RSAMD as we know it today was laid by Henry

Havergal, said Professor Rimmer: ''His grand plan was to achieve for the

RSAMD a prestige and importance equal to that of the London institutions

but without sacrificing the Scottish character and quality of the

academy.''

As a character, Dr Havergal was warm and persuasive, said Frederick

Rimmer. He knew exactly what he wanted, but never pursued his objectives

through dictatorialism. ''His wide-ranging experience of people made him

extremely persuasive in having policies implemented. Throughout the

whole of his career, he induced effortlessly respect and affection.''

Dr Havergal's retirement in 1969 was, in a sense, notional, as he was

in great demand, internationally, as an external examiner. A further

career opened to him in 1973 when he was offered the directorship of the

School of Music in Jamaica, to which he allegedly retorted: ''You must

be mad -- I'm over 70.'' He took the post nonetheless.

His own tastes in music favoured the classics of the 18th and 19th

centuries, with a special affection for the great English school of

Elgar and Vaughn Williams, whose music he conducted and championed.

Dr Havergal, who was 87, is survived by his wife Nina, and two sons,

including Giles Havergal, artistic director of the Citizens' Theatre.