A "legendary" music teacher who counts a punk band frontman, the composer of the EastEnders theme tune, and an indie sensation among his past pupils says he has no interest in slowing down.

Tony Pape, 81, has been inspiring budding artists over a prodigious career spanning 53 years - with one student even naming his own business after his former tutor, which has gone on to produce music for adverts for Coca-Cola and Sainsbury's.

He started his career in 1969 at Holmewood House Prep School in Langton Green, near Tunbridge Wells where he taught for 20 years before moving to Yardley Court in Tonbridge. There he was director of music in association with Tonbridge School.

He now works at Lamberhurst School where he teaches one-on-one lessons in the mornings and class lessons in the afternoon three days a week.

Many have been influenced by Mr Pape's teachings and have gone on to have hugely successful careers in music.

Big names like frontman of alternative rock group, Tom Chaplin and punk group The Pogues' Shane MacGowan, most famous for his Fairytale of New York Christmas favourite, spent time under Mr Pape's tutelage.

He also worked with composer Simon May who is best known for writing the iconic theme to BBC soap EastEnders.

Together they worked on Smike – a musical loosely based on the namesake character from the 1839 Charles Dickens novel Nicholas Nickleby.

Mr Pape said: "I remember Shane MacGowan at Holmewood House when he organised a protest with his class.

"It was against a local hunt which was gathering at the school before setting off.

"Tom, I came across at Tonbridge. He was a great singer and quite a lively lad."

But one student was so influenced by Mr Pape that he named his company after him.

John Connon, founder of Mr Pape Music, went back to visit his favourite teacher in 2017 shortly after creating the firm, which specialises in composing or finding music for campaigns.

This year alone he has worked on projects include this year's Sainsbury's Christmas adverts with Alison Hammond, Three UK's #PhonesAreGood campaign in 2018 and last year's Halloween ad for Coca-Cola.

He said of Mr Pape: "Across every year of my education he was the best teacher.

"He had a personality and character that made me want to learn.

While at school John auditioned for a soprano spot in the choir but, after two failed auditions, Mr Pape stepped in to help.

He continued; "He saw me struggling and took me under his wing and on the third attempt I got a spot.

"He didn't have to and it certainly wasn't part of his remit and that will always stick with me.

"I know I'm not the only one. When I went back to visit he had kids high-fiving him.

"It's great to see someone doing what they were meant to be doing."

He added: "When coming up with the name for my company a friend asked me why I was doing this and that's when I realised he was a big part of that.

'He gave me the inspiration to get into this and I don't think I would have done with anyone else'

"He called me not too long ago to put me in touch with someone who is trying to get into music so he's still trying to help people.

"He gave me the inspiration to get into this and I don't think I would have done with anyone else."

Head teacher of Lamberhurst school, Caroline Bromley, has also acknowledged the special character she has on her staff.

She said: "Tony Pape is, in the words of our staff, pupils and parents, 'a legend.’

"He is such a respected professional and thoroughly nice chap always going over and above for the school and his pupils.

"He has inspired countless children at Lamberhurst St Mary’s over the years, with some going on to study music at university and work in the music industry.

"His peripatetic drum lessons always have a waiting list and our school choirs have covered everything from classical to rock and pop – he is an inspiration and they are such lucky children."

Yet with all the incredible praise the teaching icon remains humble.

Mr Pape said: "It's just part of the course and it's what I do.

"If I make youngsters enjoy music then that's good for me."

Mr Pape's first job was as a local newspaper reporter but he developed a passion for teaching when he took over as choirmaster at Rye Parish Church.
He said: "It was a lovely church with a lovely choir. 20 boys and 20 men and it had a women's choir too.

"I was asked to take over because the previous choir master walked out.

"Initially I thought 'goodness me, how am I going to deal with this lot?' and don't know how I did it but I did and I guess that's what inspired me to teach."

Mr Pape said: "With class music I like everyone to play an instrument if they can - bang a drum play the glockenspiel, a keyboard, if they play the guitar play that.

'It's a fantastic job. If you enjoy teaching what you do and enjoy kids then it's terrific'

"My own preference I am an organist so I like keyboard and organ but I think class music is very important.

"Sometimes you touch a spot and they come back and ask more about it."

He has had many memorable moments across his 53-year career but none more so than a decade ago when he was asked to bring a choir to sing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Leeds Castle in front of an audience of around 40,000 people.

He now lives in Rye opposite the church where it all started.

And at 81 he says he has no desire to stop inspiring the next generation.

He said: "It's a fantastic job. If you enjoy teaching what you do and enjoy kids then it's terrific.

"Music is so important in our lives - there's so much doom and gloom at the moment so please just keep up your music."