I was delighted when on the 6th February 2009 the series started with Carla Rees playing Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, and Andrew Rowe playing the piano and myself (Roger Clayden) playing Cello. l arranged for my business Clayden & Co Jewelers, 14 The Arcade, Bognor Regis to finance the concerts.
Clayden & Co has currently spent a total of £16320.60 which includes the cost of buying the piano. On the 5th May 2017 we celebrated the 100th concert and during those concerts, we have had a wonderful collection of musicians, all performing here at the Regis Centre for a 60-minute concert. The age span of the musicians starts at 14 years old and goes right up to over 80 years old. Each instrument of the orchestra has had a chance to perform from percussion to the harp, from violin to string bass, from trumpet to tuba. Brass quintets, string quartets, trombone quartets, string trios, piano trios, piano quintets, string orchestra, opera singers. It has truly been an amazing 100 concerts, and many of the audience have told me how much they enjoyed the concerts as have many of the musicians that have played or sung.
In the next few months, I have booked a collection of interesting musicians. The string orchestra will return for another Opera Night on the 13th August 2022 and the 29th October 2022 for an orchestra night. roger60minutes@gmail.com for more info.
