25 Nov 2025
Tom Cochrane, son of harpsichordist Jill Severs and Maurice Cochrane, has died suddenly at the age of 61. Tom and his family have been a part of the MCO family since the organisation was founded. He was a familiar face to many musicians and followed in his father Maurice’s steps as a keyboard and tuning specialist. Those who knew him found a warm, happy, generous, funny and truly empathetic soul.
Tom grew up in a family of musicians and spent much of his youth playing his cello at Sheila Nelson’s group lessons in Highgate and touring with the ILEA London School’s Symphony Orchestra. He was deeply musical and listened to and loved a wide range of music.
After studying cello at Trinity college of music, Tom managed to combine his unique skills and had a rich and varied career that took him on many adventures and travels. Music was at the centre of his life, but he was also an expert mariner. Having spent his childhood sailing, at the age of 18 he began working as an art director for film and TV. In between film jobs he worked as a delivery skipper and had extensive sailing experience working and living on board vessels in the Mediterranean, Ireland, Scotland, USA and Mexico.
Always on the go and practical, Tom had big dreams and ideas which he often shared and discussed and was able to make many of those dreams happen, delighting in bringing people along with him for the ride.
Father, brother, uncle and son, Tom leaves behind his children, Rosa and Emily, his partner Anna and their young son Benjamin, Benjamin’s big brother Thomas, his mother Jill and three sisters, Tanya, Laura and Lisa, who plays the viola in the English Baroque Soloists.
He will be missed immeasurably.
The Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ Handel: Messiah concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on 16 December will be dedicated to Tom Cochrane’s memory.
