Ian le Grice

Ian le Grice interviewed by Alison Grant 18 Sept 2013.

Ian joined the choir in 1957, becoming head chorister. In 1983 he became the Assistant Organist, until his retirement in 2012. In addition to his work at the Temple Church he has taught at the Royal College of Music, the University of Reading and the Trinity College of Music. He is also a proficient song writer.

Alison Grant grew up in North Wales and was called to the Bar in 2012. She currently works as a Deputy Director for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC). 

The interview covers Ian Le Grice’s experiences of the Temple Church and surroundings as a choir boy and his interactions with the Director of the Temple Church Choir and organist George Thalben-Ball (1896 – 1987) who worked here for over 60 years and whose direction the choir achieved international acclaim.

The interview includes details of Le Grice’s early experiences as a choir boy in the Temple Church choir, the games and pranks the boys would play, descriptions of the Temple, the Inns of Court, its various characters and Le Grice’s transition to organ playing after his voice broke.

The run time is 1 hour, 8 minutes and 10 seconds.

Catalogue Number: AVR/8/2/23