Leo Bryll ^People

He started studying music formally at the age of 13 and was soon appointed choirmaster at his local synagogue.In order to further his musical studies he travelled to Russia, France, Belgium, Italy and Ireland, and he gave public performances, not only in Cantorial singing, but also of Opera, oratorio and other secular genres.For these performances he used other names such as Leonid and Brylli. During the time he studied at the Irish Academy of Music he was awarded gold and silver medals for singing. In the early part of his career he sang as a baritone, and he per- formed in Elijah while he was in Ireland. As he matured his voice lightened and he retained the ability to sing even to top 'C' at an advanced age! At the age of 25 he was appointed Chazan to the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation where he officia- ted at the famous Middle Street Synagogue. He remained there for just five years and then went to another prestigious post in the Bayswater Synagogue in London where, in competition with fifteen other applicants, he succeeded the Rev David M Klein.He remained until he resigned over a matter of principle in 1955. He became Chazan to the then fledgling congregation of Marble Arch, in London, and then served as its choir master until 1963. The Rev Bryll was lecturer in Chazanut at Jews' College, for more than 32 years, and he was justifiably proud of the fact that pupils of hisserved congregations throughout the world.