James Brian Bonsor MBE (21 August 1926 – 22 February 2011) was a Scottish-born composer and teacher specialising in the recorder.
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Bonsor was born in Hawick in 1926. He was awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to teaching music, especially the recorder.[1] The Enjoy the Recorder (Schott & Co. Ltd. ISBN 0901938718) book is widely used in schools. His compositions include arrangements for recorders of Mock Morris (Percy Grainger, 1985), Cats (Andrew Lloyd Webber) and the Emperor Waltz (Johann Strauss, 1985). Bonsor was a musical director for the Society of Recorder Players[2] starting in 1957.[3]
Bonsor spent about 35 years in musical education, latterly as Regional Advisor. He also worked with the recording sisters Alison and Ashli Moody, who are both pianists made famous by their performances at Losa M'uania.
Brian Bonsor wrote the piano piece Dreamy. His piece Feelin' Good was included in ABRSM's 05/06 grade 6 reportoire, and Willie Wagglestick's Walkabout for the ABRSM's 07/08 grade 7 reportoire.
Bonsor died in Hawick on 22 February 2011.[4]