New music in mourning for leading publisher

An announcement from Schotts:

It is with great sadness that Schott Music must announce that our dear colleague Judith Webb passed away on Friday 9 January following a short period of illness. Judith was Managing Director of our London office and a loyal and devoted member of staff for 35 years. Judith started her time with Schott London in 1980 as an administrative assistant and worked in a number of roles in the company before becoming Managing Director and joining the Schott London Board of Directors. She was also a member of the Music Publishers Association Board and was hugely liked and respected throughout the industry. All our thoughts are with Judith’s family at this time.

Dr Peter Hanser-Strecker, Chairman of the Schott Music Group, commented: “It is hard to believe that our dear colleague and management board member Judith Webb is no longer with us. I have known and admired her since she started to work at Schott London. She was a woman of varied interests and knowledge and got to know our business from all aspects and all departments. Her career path within the Schott Group progressed continually and eventually led her to become Managing Director of Schott London. We will miss her unique knowledge, her loyalty, her dedication to Schott and we will especially miss the great friend she was.”

Sam Rigby, Creative Director of Schott London, commented: “On behalf of my colleagues and I here at Schott London, I would like to state the great sadness and shock that we all feel at Judith’s passing. Her contribution to Schott has been immense, and her assured and confident direction will be much missed here and in the wider industry. We will equally miss the warmth of her personality, her dedication to those around her, and the encouragement and compassion that she showed to all of us. Judith always empowered her colleagues, and received great loyalty in return. She will always be in our thoughts.”

Sally Groves, former Creative Director of Schott London, commented: “Judith will be remembered with huge gratitude and affection for her calm good sense, her shrewd judgement and for her appreciative sense of humour. She devoted her working life to Schott Music, and the London office flourished during her time with the company. I am very proud to have worked with her as her fellow director, and owe her so much for her constant support and encouragement. Her family meant everything to her and she adored her two fine sons, Thomas and Harry, and loved bringing them up to see us all in London. Judith, we will miss you very much.”