Death of BBC Chorus baritone, 64

Death of BBC Chorus baritone, 64

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norman lebrecht

April 20, 2020

We’ve been notified of the death of William (Bill) Noce, a popular baritone in the BBC Chorus who was also a Kodaly method teacher.

An IREX scholarship student at the Kodaly Institute in Kecskemet, he went on to study voice at the Liszt Academy with Sylvia Sass and Yevgeni Nesterenko, and later privately with John Shirley-Quirk. In Budapest he gave the first Hungarian performances American art-songs by Aaron Kernis and Harrison Boyle among others.
Though his teaching career included inner city schools in Philadelphia and London, he also held posts at the  American International schools in Budapest, Athens, and for the last dozen years of his life, at London/Surbiton, where he also sang with the BBC Chorus. 

Comments

  • Dave Kent says:

    This is such sad news, though not totally unexpected. I was privileged as the second bass voice rep at the BBC Symphony Chorus for several years to have “Billy from Philly” among my flock. He was a great guy, highly esteemed by colleagues and friends and will be sadly missed.
    R.I.P. Bill.

    • Paul DeVito says:

      I realize this news is more than 2 years old now. I was a student of Bill’s many years ago. Do you know how he died? I lost touch with him about 20 years ago and found this news when I recently looked him up.

  • Randall says:

    R.I.P Bill So Very Glad We Shared A Stage Together. You Were A Talent, Gentleman And Monumental Performer ❤

  • Gary Bland says:

    A more delightful person you couldn’t meet. A heart so big, to match his humour and intellect.

    I got to work with, Bill over several months at the Old Vic, where his enthusiasm and skills were tremendous. Bill, will be missed by all who knew him. RIP.

  • Doug Wild says:

    I am crushed by this news. Although we hadn’t seen each other for lots of years, I will always consider him one of my closest friends. My heart goes out to Rosemarie. Wherever you are my dear friend, I trust you will continue to kick ass and take names. I love you and miss you.

  • Paul DeVito says:

    Bill was a teacher of mine in high school. He also became a friend for many years afterwards. He was a brilliant performer with a voice much better than even he realized. He was a great teacher and a wonderful human being. I am sad to hear of his passing.

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