We are saddened to learn of the death of Professor Andrew Barker last week at the age of 78.

Andrew, who became a Fellow of the British Academy in 2005 and Professor Emeritus on his retirement from the University of Birmingham in 2008, was the foremost student of ancient Greek music of his generation. In addition to leaving a remarkable published legacy consisting of half a dozen books and many dozens of articles, he was the founding President of MOISA, the International Society for the Study of Greek and Roman Music, and the founding editor of the journal Greek and Roman Musical Studies.

Underneath all this he remained what he had always been, a philosopher, self-deprecating and Socratic - and an adored guru to his many PhD students, several of whom became academics in their own right - notably in Greece, Italy and Canada. He was also the kindest of colleagues, one much appreciated for his wisdom and good humour. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.