Farewell to Stephen Tooke

Thanks Steve for your incredible eye for detail and for always holding the section to account. We admire the way you so clearly love being a dad and we wish only the best for you, your wife and your son.

Thanks Steve for your reliability and professionalism and for always being such a solid presence in the section with eagle eyes, even when others were still finding their way

Thanks Steve for being one of the very first friendly faces many of us sat next to, for your witty musical observations, pearls of wisdom, and “super sleuth” knack for spotting every discrepancy in the parts. We’ll miss you dearly, but know that your family and your battery-operated technologies will keep you busy.

Thanks Steve for your good humour, playing, stories, attention to detail, and immaculate execution of The Lighting of the Beacons - any week sitting with you was a fun week.

Thanks Steve for being so on the ball, reliable, calm and brilliantly committed; for your friendship, camaraderie and wonderful violin playing; and for being our Captain America, catching editing mistakes and sharing your knowledge - Mr Google!

Thanks Steve for your super-sharp eyes and ears; for being happy to chat about anything and full of interesting information; for stepping up to ask all the questions and for sharing your adventurous family stories.

Steve, you are a loyal colleague and friend who will be missed. As you step into new adventures, may you find joy, rest and music in different ways. We look forward to seeing you back on stage with us in a casual capacity soon (just don’t forget your glasses!).

From ‘The 1st Violin Section’