Goodbye Mr Mustard
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A MUSIC teacher who quit his job on a point of principle has been given a fond send-off.
John Mustard resigned last month as Moray Council's head of music the day after the local authority tabled proposals to hike up tuition fees by an enormous 85 per cent.
His stance arguably contributed to the council's eventual decision to raise them by just 10 per cent.
Music students both past and present turned out in force for a farewell concert in Elgin Academy on Saturday.
Amongst the performers were Moray Concerts Brass, the Senior Wind Band and the Senior String Orchestra.
Mr Mustard, who has worked for the council for the past 30 years, said he had no regrets about his decision.
The 56-year-old added: "If the fees had gone up by as much as first suggested it would have become prohibitive for the majority of students to learn an instrument.
"I believe that music teaches so many useful things to young people, such as resilience, concentration and teamwork. It can even improve their behaviour and increase their self-confidence."
The "odd one out" in a family of farmers, Mr Mustard's career as a music teacher began in 1989.
Now, three decades later, he is the father of three daughters and a son who all love music.
His youngest daughter, Shannon, has designs on becoming a professional violinist.
Having already graduated from Chetham’s Music School in Manchester, she is currently nearing the end of her second year in America studying at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Also amongst the performers at Saturday's concert was Mr Mustard himself.
He played a piece called Gabriel's Oboe, which became popular after it featured in the Oscar-winning mid-1980s film The Mission.
Taking hold of the orchestral baton in the meantime was another of his daughters, Kirstin, a cellist and pianist who works as a primary teacher.
He says he now intends to begin giving private tuition and to devote more time to playing music.
