James Robert HUNTER

Teacher, Musician, Person of High Standards

James Hunter will always stand in my memory as someone not only representing, but also living out high standards which applied to all areas of his life. The high standards he expected/demanded of his students were equal or greater for himself. He also demonstrated in many ways that he was a profoundly genuine person. His compassion towards students and their situations was always apparent.

Mr. Hunter regularly used a few short phrases which conveyed significant meaning: "sort this out" and "nail that down." He wasn't known for lengthy speeches but his economy of words demanded a response.

Humility is the quality that speaks louder than words with Mr. Hunter's life and in my memory. As I became more familiar with the world-renown musicians with whom he had performed or known personally, I was always impressed that he never took any opportunity to boast.

A person with such high standards and humility - a rare breed!!

My condolences to Winnifred, the children, and all family members. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks, Mr. Hunter!

My Experience

Mr. Hunter was a very important part of many of our lives.
He was tough and demanding. He held us accountable, yet was encouraging.
He enjoyed a good story or joke and walk around the lake or the along the waterfront.
He enjoyed sailing, swimming, flying kites.
He read a lot and constantly imparted his newly discovered break-throughs regarding life, music and cello playing to all who were around him. As Anne already mentioned, he sought knowledge and truth constantly.
He enjoyed good food, from Chish and Fips, to a bowl of soup, to a well mixed vinagrette
with keens mustard, or a spaghetti dinner with the sauce that Tony showed him how to make,
to Jungle juice, raw green peppers he would share if the lesson got a bit heavy, to the old standard pot of tea (a two bagger).
Though we never knew his children too much personally, we felt like we did as he always spoke highly of them all and was a very proud grandpère. Thank you for sharing your dad, as he devoted many hours to sharing his knowledge of music with us. We are thinking of Mrs. Hunter too, a gifted musician herself. Mr. Hunter was proud to say they had the longest marriage in 'the business'. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.
There is so much to say, but that's my contribution for now. He won't be forgotten.

We were honoured to have known James Hunter and to have been in Victoria for those golden years of the Conservatory. So many were beneficiaries of his life and so together, we salute him.
Here's to Mr. Hunter. Merci Beaucoup, Monsieur.

Never a harsh or unkind word. As a person and musician,peerless. The best teacher ever. I will not be alone in missing him.

James Hunter was a man of great integrity and distinction whose example influenced, not only all the students who had the opportunity to study with him, but his peers as well. We loved him for the kind and generous man he was, who shared all his accumulated knowledge about the cello with us.James encouraged us to be life-long seekers of knowledge and to be true to ourselves.This Honorary Citizen of Victoria cared about every person that entered his studio and made us feel that we were valued and important to him. My deepest condolences to Winnifred and their family.