Honouring the life and work of Judy Tarling
27 May 2026
News Story
Judy was a much-loved and respected tutor and member of the Benslow Music community. Judy touched many lives through her years of playing and teaching violin and viola.
She was born and educated in Brighton. Her music studies took her to Dartington College of Arts, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London.
After a period playing in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Judy became interested in early music and its performance. She ran her own chamber group, Brighton Baroque, in the 70s, and subsequently worked with the Academy of Ancient Music, Parley of Instruments, The Hanover Band, The Brandenburg Consort, Opera Restor’d and Cambridge Baroque Camerata. Judy was a thoughtful teacher. She helped musicians at the European Union Baroque Orchestra. She lectured on Baroque style at University of Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.
At Benslow Music, Judy led our annual Baroque Opera/Oratorio Project for many years, most recently leading a performance of sacred music by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. She also shared her love and knowledge of 17th-century string music and J S Bach’s cantata in specialist courses.
She was also a published author whose work encompassed her love of baroque music and garden history.
Our whole community will feel her loss, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Judy’s family and friends
Share your memories
Judy was an important part of the Benslow Music community whose knowledge and friendship touched many of us. If you would like to email a favourite memory of her to us, please email anna.fearon@benslowmusic.org and we will share it on our website in her honour.
Memories from our community
I first met Judy when I attended Benslow for my first experience of Baroque opera 15 or more years ago - it was Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. She was so insightful and inspirational, and that week opened up a whole new world of music hitherto unknown to me. She had high standards and expected them from others, although always tempered with kindness to help anyone struggling. As well as music her knowledge of all things Baroque was amazing, in particular extending to gardening, on which she wrote extensively. We went on to meet every year at Benslow for the opera or oratorio, as well as other events. Judy changed my life, firing up my passion and appreciation of Baroque music. Her death will leave a huge gap in my life and I will miss her so much.
I absolutely love Judy’s books and recommend them to all my colleagues and students in the U.S. She did amazing work and will be sorely missed.
I read with great sadness that our wonderful tutor is not with us anymore. I came to Benslow for many years to study and perform a baroque opera or oratorio and that was the highlight of the year for me. Judy loved to visit the Netherlands and we talked about what she had seen and what she liked. I still see her sitting on her high chair instructing the strings . I will miss her very much! Last year we studied and performed Charpentiers messe pour Mr Maurois. I took a picture of all the tutors. I had a wonderful week that I will never forget. I cannot believe I will never see you anymore. Dear Judy, rest in peace. I will miss you and your great playing.