University News Last updated 30 March 2011
We learned with great sadness that Nicholas Hunka died peacefully at home on Sunday 6 March 2011. Thanks to sensitive and expert nursing he enjoyed a comfortable standard of life after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer last November.
Nick had been a bassoon tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire since 2005. His career began with the BBC in Manchester, but he was soon appointed principal bassoon of the CBSO. From there he moved to the LSO where he remained until his retirement in 2007.
Nick's influence as a teacher was wide ranging. He was active at the RCM, the Conservatoire, and as the coach for many years of the NYO bassoon section.
He loved food and wine, and, even as recently as a few weeks before his death, Michael Harris drove him round to his local for a pint of his favourite ale!
Nick will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his many friends, students, colleagues and, of course, his family, to whom we extend our condolences.