Malcolm McKeown, BA, DipEd MEd (died October 2001)

(Press Extract from Eastern Daily Press and North Norfolk News)

Malcolm McKeown, who devoted his life to music and education died in October 2001, aged 72.  Malcolm was born and brought up in Belfast where he attended Belfast Royal Academy and Queen's University.  In his early teaching days he taught James Galway, who in his autobiography, described Mr McKeown as 'the teacher to whom I owe most'.  A postgraduate year at Queen's studying psychology, was followed by his appointment as Educational Psychologist to the Belfast Education Authority.

In 1965 Malcolm and his family moved to Norwich, where he took up the post of Educational Psychologist for the City Education
Authority.  He brought on the development of the Child Guidance Clinic, and was instrumental in the building of Harford Manor Special School, Eaton Hall Residential School and the opening of the City's Teachers' Centre. In 1974 he was appointed Area Education Officer for North Norfolk, a post he held until his retirement in 1989.

Malcolm's musical life in performance began at Queen's.  He was a member of the Aeolian singers and trained as an organist at St Anne's Cathedral.  He toured Ireland with the Studio Opera Group, sang with Heather Harper, and a certain Val Doonican was his backing when he appeared on Ulster TV in its early days.  He also broadcast regularly as a soloist on BBC NI.

When Malcolm moved to Norwich, all his musical energy was put to the service of the Cathedral, where he was tenor cantoris for almost twenty years.  It was a source of much pride to him, that each of this two sons became Head Choristers in their turn, and it is entirely fitting that Malcolm's funeral service was held in the Cathedral, and it is there that he has been finally laid to rest.  His family home remains in Norwich, and he leaves a wife, two sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren.

 

 

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