For most people, taking an exam after turning 50 seems daunting. Now, imagine sitting for the highest-graded practical music exam at 88 and not just passing but earning a distinction. That’s exactly what Ray Eveleigh accomplished—67 years after completing his Grade 7 piano exam.
Ray, a retired reverend from Kilham, East Yorkshire, was motivated by his wife Brenda, a singer, and his daughter Jenny to pursue the milestone. With six months of rigorous preparation under the guidance of his teacher, Ann Martin-Davis, he achieved what many would consider extraordinary.
Calling the piano his “personal friend,” Eveleigh credited the instrument with keeping his mind sharp and providing him a purposeful way to spend his time. “At my age, I sometimes get very tired,” he shared with The Guardian. “But then I think, ‘This is no good. I don’t want to spend my life dozing in an armchair. Come on, Eveleigh, get up and play the piano.’ It’s a privilege to play music written by geniuses like Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart.”
Though his younger self wasn’t particularly diligent in practising, this changed at Cardiff University, where he met Brenda. “She was a soprano at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff,” Ray explained. “She needed an accompanist, so I had to put in the effort. That’s how I really learned to read music.”
Decades later, he has now passed the prestigious Grade 8 exam, often considered the pinnacle for many musicians. His story comes amidst a wave of attention on older musicians, like 97-year-old conductor Herbert Blomstedt, who continues to wow audiences worldwide. Such feats seem to reinforce the belief that music keeps one youthful.
Reflecting on the surprising attention his achievement has garnered, Ray expressed modesty. “I never expected this much notice,” he said. “There’s so much going on—weather issues, wars, politics in America—and then here’s this old guy from Kilham who passed Grade 8 piano. It feels a bit silly, really!”
Ray’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to pursue passion and excellence, no matter the age.
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