presented to JEFFERY WILSON

by The Worshipful Mayor of COUNCILLOR BOB MASSEY

11th September, 2019 DEBORAH ALOBA

I have only known Jeffery a short time but what I can tell you is that of all the musicians, actors and people in the professional arts that I have worked with for over 30 years I have never met anyone quite like Jeffery, not only is he incredibly talented himself but he puts himself out to assist other musicians.

He is a truly generous person not just with his talent but with his time and advice, on top of that he is humble, a very, very rare quality in today’s world and he is kind. If I could be half the musician and person that he is I would consider myself lucky.

Having never met me before he was willing to give up his time to audition me without any knowledge of who I was or whether I had any ability. He has asked me to perform at the Cramphorn I think on three occasions now, but more importantly on one occasion he sat down and provided me with numerous contacts and potential opportunities to assist me to move forward as a singer. No-one in the 30 years that I have been performing had ever done that for me before to this degree. As I am typing this I am experiencing the sense of wonder and feeling of being overwhelmed that I felt that day as I sat in his studio. I think I had met Jeffery on about 5 occasions at this point.

There are people in your life that you meet and you consider it a privilege and a blessing, those people are few and can be far between but Jeffery is one of them. A blessing not only in my life but in the lives of so many people, I am so glad that he is being honoured in this way, he totally deserves it.

With Kind Regards

Deborah E Aloba HAZEL ARNILL

Galleywood

Dear Jeffery

On this auspicious occasion I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know how much your work with the Cramphorn Lunchtime concerts is appreciated by me. Over the last few years I have played in three of the concerts- twice as a solo recital with piano and once as part of a quartet.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to perform. As an amateur, it is not easy to find places to play where there will actually be an audience. The loyal audience that you have cultivated is fantastic: very appreciative and friendly. It was a huge privilege to perform to them.

Next, I would like to thank you for your tireless and efficient organisation of the concerts. Once the date was booked, I didn’t have to do anything except practice, but knew that all the arrangements were in hand. I know how much is involved in arranging concerts, from those that I have done myself at work and, as a performer, I am extremely grateful that this all happens so smoothly in the background.

Finally as an audience member for the few I have managed to get to, I would like to thank you for the range of acts that you engage. From school groups to professional musicians, the concerts have never failed to be entertaining and enjoyable.

From a purely selfish point of view, I do hope that you will be willing to continue for a few more years, as I am now retired and hope that I will both be able to attend a few more in the coming years and perhaps even perform again soon.

With very grateful thanks and many good wishes

Hazel Arnill BILL BRADLEY

The Cramphorn lunchtime concerts have been a valuable musical resource for performers and musicians, may they long continue.

Bill PAMELA CAMPANELLI

Jeffery has been a great gift in my life. Although I have a B.Mus. in classical clarinet from 1982, I had not played much during the years after that. And it had always been my greatest desire to learn how to play jazz and I had had several failed attempts.

One night in the year 2000 at the Barn Brasserie restaurant in Great Tey, my husband and I were having dinner and they had live music. One person was playing jazz clarinet and saxophone and the other was playing a keyboard. We absolutely loved the music. And with some prodding from my husband, I got up the courage to come up to the clarinet/sax player and say, “We love your music! And do you take students?” The answer was “yes”. And at the time I didn’t realise how renowned Jeffery was!

And he did indeed teach me how to play Jazz! Such joy, Jeffery, thank you! And he also took me through Guildhall ATCL recital certificates in classical clarinet, jazz saxophone and classical saxophone. And helped me before and after with my year of jazz music school at Middlesex University. Most recently he has been my inspiration and coach for composing. Something I thought I would never have be able to do, but I am! Such joy, Jeffery, thank you! And thanks to Jeffery, I became a published composer in the Sempre Music catalogue in June. This is amazing, Jeffery, thank you!

And huge thanks to both Jeffery and the Cramphorn Theatre for the fabulous opportunity and experience to play in front of live audiences!!! I have appreciated this so much from my very first Cramphorn concert in 2001 to my recent opportunity to contribute to a concert in July.

With love and miracles to everyone, Pamela Campanelli CHELMSFORD GUITAR ORCHESTRA

Hi Jeffery,

From all of us at Chelmsford Guitar Orchestra, many thanks for the opportunities we’ve had to play at the Cramphorn Theatre these last eight years and, hopefully, into the future.

Very best wishes to you and hope you will keep up the good work of promoting quality music in Chelmsford.

Roger Montgomery of Chelmsford Guitar Orchestra (Chego) DAVID CHIVERS

I feel very privileged to have been able to perform at the Cramphorn Theatre on several occasions and must thank and congratulate Jeffery on organising them for so long.

To have performed solo and in ensembles and especially alongside Jeffery has been a special experience and one that I shall treasure as a highlight of my performing career. SAMANTHA CHRISTOPHER

Thank you Jeffery for giving me countless opportunities to perform and test the water with new repertoire.

It has helped me immensely to build up my stage presence and explore new and exciting pieces. GAIL COPSEY

I feel truly blessed that Jeffery Wilson crossed my path 30 years ago as he has been my friend, my teacher and my inspiration.

Thank you for your constant belief in me and for all your encouragement and guidance to become a teacher which has brought me so much joy and self fulfilment. I will always be grateful for the positive influence you have had on my life. ‘Your influence and encouragement extends to Georgia and Alex too who benefitted greatly from your endless patience and constant enthusiasm, urging them on with their studies.

Here they are in 2003 at The Cramphorn Theatre. JOHN COX

My journey to the Cramphorn Theatre began when I first met Jeffery at a clarinet event which was held at the Royal Academy. I shared a cup of coffee from my flask with him and he agreed to take me on as a pupil.

Although many years previously I had taken grade 5, he brought me down to earth by starting me off on grade 4. After many years of his patient and enjoyable tuition he got me through to the Guildhall performance certificate examination. On the way there I remember that I lost my way in one of the grade exam pieces until I realised that Jeffery was continually repeating a few bars in order to lead me back in again.

An important part of my musical education from those early days was the lunchtime concerts in which, with his encouragement, I took part. Jeffery was also the catalyst to me making so many friends in the musical world.

What a teacher, what an accompanist and what a friend!

John Cox CROSS HARMONIES

Kathleen, Clive, Ruth, Sue, John, Penny, Guy, Kevin & Peter

Jeffery, what a milestone! Thank you!

You have contributed so much to the cultural life of Chelmsford with organising the lunchtime concerts at the Cramphorn and with your inimitable enthusiasm, expertise and good humour that you bring to all your activities you have drawn in ever increasing numbers in the audiences.

Cross Harmonies, our wind ensemble, has performed on three occasions and experienced the warm reception that greets all the performers there.

We all send our grateful thanks to you and look forward to many more such occasions,

Peter Cross and all members of Cross Harmonies THE DARKWOOD WIND ENSEMBLE

Jeffery is a strong believer in getting his students to play in public and to form into groups to do so. On his suggestion The Darkwood Wind Ensemble was established many years ago, first as a clarinet trio and then as a quartet with saxophones being added later to make programmes even more interesting. The ensemble was based essentially at the Cramphorn Theatre where there were at least two performances each year over many years.

The original members were John Cox, Lynn Gauld and Jo Marsh who sadly died in 2008. Other players came and left during the Ensemble’s busy musical life. Kevin Simpson and Penny Rich joined John and Lynn in the latter years until the Ensemble’s demise in 2017 as players moved on to other things, but all continuing to play regularly with other groups at the Cramphorn Theatre.

The ethos of the group was that the players got on well with each other socially as well as musically, and that they were able to rehearse on a regular basis during the daytime. The ensemble played mainly locally in and around and Suffolk at various types of events and even had invitations to play as far away as Yorkshire. There were also winning performances over the years at the Chelmsford Competitive Music Festival.

For some years the Ensemble supported the Chelmsford Festival organised by the Council. There were performances in a tent adjacent to the Town Sign and a memorable one in Market Square where a gazebo collapsed on the group and put an end to the performance.

Jeffery composed a suite entitled “The Three R’s” which was subsequently published and played by the Ensemble at the Cramphorn Theatre.

An important part of the Ensemble’s time was spent entertaining people in care homes as well as at private functions, music festivals and lunchtime concerts at places such as Colchester, , Braintree,

Witham, Harlow and more locally at Chelmsford Cathedral, Hylands House and, of course, many performances at the Cramphorn Theatre. All this activity was as a result Jeffery Wilson’s continuing guidance and encouragement together with his giving the opportunities to perform at the Cramphorn Theatre.

John Cox DUOLOGUE

Penny and I extend our heartfelt thanks to Jefferey for providing us with our first opportunity to perform as Duologue. Through his encouragement and support, we gave our first concert at the Cramphorn Theatre in March of this year. As if giving us a performance slot was not enough, he also shared his musical expertise with us by playing the piano part in some of our programme pieces. We now look forward to our second Cramphorn performance, again to be made possible by his assistance.

To a large measure, Chelmsford’s vibrant and thriving musical scene owes much to Jefferey’s selfless dedication in promoting and inspiring local musicians. We are so fortunate and grateful to be counted amongst the many beneficiaries of his tireless efforts. Gerry Cabañero TIM EATON

I’ve had the opportunity to appreciate the Lunchtime concerts as both performer and audience. As a novice performer the concerts gave me a chance to hone my playing in a real-live concert situation that I would otherwise have never had. This has been both as a member of the Environ Music Group and as a solo composer/player, for which on one occasion I managed to fill one hours concert with my own work. I have also been fortunate too in hearing other, more experienced, performers bring my compositions to life. Chances like that just don’t

come your way that often and Jeffery is always so supportive of making these chances available.

As an audience member I appreciated the lovely break that these mid-week slots made in the working week, providing an oasis of calm and time-out from the day to day norm with a varied repertoire of the gamut of musical genres.

Many thanks to Jeffery and long may the concerts continue to entertain, inspire and provide these opportunities to enrich the lives of those involved. THE ENVIRON MUSIC GROUP

The Environ Group’s thoughts on the Cramphorn Theatre Lunchtime Concerts:

Thanks to Jeffery I joined the Environ Group which gave me a platform to play in public. - Ken

The only time I’ve spoken to Jeffery is when I was suffering from liquefaction of the lowerbowel 5 minutes before the Cramphorn concert! - John T.

Trying not to get wrapped up those black curtains! - John C.

My first lunchtime concert was in November 2017 when I sang a couple of duets and played my clarinet as part of an ensemble. The Cramphorn was dark and I was relieved I couldn’t see the audience! The second was in the Spring of 2019. I managed a solo on this occasion and played the clarinet. Tim Eaton, who has sadly left the group on moving to Suffolk, composed many of the pieces. There must have been a different lighting technician on duty for the whole audience was visible….. but this time I didn’t mind! – Kathy

Performing in concerts at any venue are always a little nerve racking. Having Jeffery’s encouragement is always confidence boosting. The Cramphorn concerts are always good because the audience are friendly, appreciative and encouraging.

The first time is always the hardest. I remember feeling very nervous, but quite often the concerts are shared between one or more players. Concerts with other people are great fun, they usually involve some duets as well as solos. It is much more fun with Jeffery’s help. One thing that helped me was that when I was standing at the front, because of the lighting, I could only see the first few rows of people!! The Cramphorn Concerts have also been a platform for performing examination pieces, and also for playing pieces that have been discovered and that we have developed a real love for and have wanted to share those pieces with our audience. - Lynn The Environ Music Group began many years ago as an Evening Class, run by Jeffery. When the classes ended about 11 years ago, the group members decided to continue to play together. The group has evolved over that time and has included composers, so we have been fortunate to include their original music in our concerts at the Cramphorn Theatre Lunchtime Concerts.

We perform there usually once or twice a year and it is a valuable platform for performing our music to family, friends as well as the wider, friendly and supportive audience. Currently we are quite a small group but we have a variety of instruments between us including, piano, saxophones, clarinets, voice as well as a composer. This enables us to play many different pieces for the various instruments. Jeffery has kept in contact with us and has even performed with us! We are very grateful for his continued support. - Jane ESSEX CHORDSMEN

I am a member of the Essex Chordsmen a male Barbershop Chorus; we sing acappella in four part harmony. We have performed at one of Jeffrey’s free lunch time concerts in the Cramphorn Theatre. I recall two memorable moments from that day:

As I am the Bookings Manager and PRO for the Essex Chordsmen I like to ask around after we have performed to check if people enjoyed our performance. I asked the lady looking after the bar in the Cramphorn if she had got a chance to see some of our performance and she had managed the last three numbers. She said – “I know how good you are because no one on the back row had fallen asleep”.

Whilst we were performing there were a number of Mencap members in the front row, some in wheel chairs and they did their best to join in with us, which was quite delightful. When we got outside into the car park the Mencap minibus was waiting to take them home. We were still in uniform and they asked

us to sing a few songs for them and we duly obliged, it was great fun. Dave Worley ESSEX HORNS

¬15 Pyne Gate Galleywood

Dear Jeffery

On this auspicious occasion I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know how much your work with the Cramphorn Lunchtime concerts is appreciated by me. Over the last few years I have played in three of the concerts- twice as a solo recital Hi Jeffery, with piano and once as part of a quartet. Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary of organising the lunchtime concerts in Firstly, I would like to thank you Chelmsford. for the opportunity to perform. As an amateur, it is not easy to find places to play where there will As a relatively new band, we were actually be an audience. The loyal delighted to have had the opportunity to play at one of those concerts at the Cramphorn Theatre earlier this year.

It was both very enjoyable and rewarding to have been able to benefit from the experience of performing to the friendly and appreciative Cramphorn audience. Thank you for giving us that opportunity.

Best wishes from Essex Horns

Mike King, Kevin Simpson, Davina Brazier & Ken Bareham EXCHANGING BLOWS QUARTET

Dear Jeffery

It’s thanks to you, of course, that Exchanging Blows Quartet formed over 20 years ago. Gail, Pam, Annie and I have all been pupils of yours and with your support and encouragement we have enjoyed so many years of playing together. We evolved from just playing clarinets, to include saxophones and piano so we could live up to our name!

We have played many times at the Cramphorn Theatre Lunchtime Concerts and are delighted to be asked to play at your Gala Lunchtime Concert. Playing there helped us gain valuable experience in public performance so that we could play at other venues, including Chelmsford Cathedral, Braintree and Witham Churches as well as full evening concerts around Essex. We share many happy memories and have remained firm friends.

Thank you for your hard work to keep the concerts running for 30 years and long may they continue………! Jane Thank you so much, Jeffery, for starting the Exchanging Blows Quartet!

What fun it has been through all its changes! And it has indeed changed from 5 of us playing clarinet to 4 of us, then expanding to become a saxophone quartet as well as a clarinet quartet and then encompassing solos, duos and trios with piano.

What a delight to play in so many gigs together over the years both at the Cramphorn Theatre and elsewhere! So appreciated, Jeffery! And so appreciated Annie, Jane and Gail!

With much love, Pam

Exchanging Blows has been such a pleasure to be a part of over the years and has brought me so much joy for which I, personally, must thank you Jeffery.

Encouraging us all to play together all those years ago and then to give us a platform to perform at The Cramphorn Theatre Lunchtime Concerts gave us all the confidence to perform to a wider audience.

How lovely it is to be reforming again in your honour, amongst all our musical friends from over the years at The Cramphorn.

You are truly a very special person Jeffers. ANNIE FORRESTER-MUIR

Thank you, Jeffery, for all the fun and inspiration.

Those first lessons when you tactfully suggested that the crystal mouthpiece I so cherished really wasn’t right for my clarinet, transforming my relationship with the instrument from a bit of a tussle to a pleasurable inter action.

The joy of performing at all those concerts so painstakingly organised by you and the understanding that it isn’t all about playing lots of notes. The huge highlight and total pleasure of being partnered with Jane, Gail and Pam in Exchanging Blows which made me appreciate the phrase ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’. And the concept of a ‘hinterland’ which made me realise what a big world music is.

If everyone could experience the joy, commitment and focus of your teaching there would be a lot more professional musicians in the world! LYNN GAULD

As one of Jeffery’s pupils, I have benefitted enormously, as I am sure many others have also, from Jeffery’s support and encouragement. Particularly in playing in public through the Cramphorn concerts. In the early days the suggestion of playing a concert was extremely scary but we have found the Cramphorn audiences to be friendly and appreciative of our efforts, and we hope they have enjoyed our music!

I have known Jeffery many years now, starting with the Environ music group which Jeffery took over, I think around 1987, which met at the Girl’s High School on a Thursday evening.. Then around 2000 I started having Clarinet lessons to improve on what I had learnt from one of Jeffery’s previous pupils.

I would like to say a big “THANKYOU” to Jeffery for all that he has done for me.

Lynn Gauld DAVID GIBB

I first met Jeffery when I took my daughter to him for saxophone lessons in 1992. Such was his enthusiasm for his subject, that at the tender age of forty eight, I found myself taking up the clarinet and performing in one of his ‘Student Concerts’. Despite deep reservations, I was ushered onto the stage to make my debut, and I can remember to this day the wobbling lip, the shaking fingers, and the almost total absence of breath. But somehow, encouraged by Jeffery’s infectious smile and sympathetic accompaniment, I managed to play a piece called ‘The Old Rugged Cross’. I doubt if it has been played like that again!

Thinking that I had done my bit and that I could now retire graciously from the world of performance did not, however, fit in with Jeffery’s view of what I should do next. And as anyone who knows Jeffery will know, when he has made up his mind about something, it is impossible to say ‘No’. Under his guidance, I carried on playing the saxophone, and began performing at the Cramphorn Concerts around the year 2000. So, almost twenty years of very happy music making, which would not have been possible without the help of someone who is not just a highly talented musician and teacher, but a very caring person, for whom nothing is too much trouble. There are many others, like me, who have benefited from his generosity, and I am sure they would all like to join me in saying “Congratulations Jeffery, on thirty years of Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts; you have been a source of inspiration, and have provided a service to the community that has been hugely appreciated by audience and performers alike. A great achievement.” KEN HAY ANGIE & ANDY HICKS

Twenty years ago my husband, Andy, sustained a very severe brain injury in a devastating road traffic accident. He has always been involved in music, and although his injury means he is no longer able to play himself, he still loves listening to live and recorded music.

Since June 2007, he has attended the lunchtime concerts at the Cramphorn Theatre with a carer - some of whom have also grown to really enjoy classical music, having never really listened to it before! Andy loves the friendly atmosphere and the huge variety of music and performers - from school pupils sharing their promising talent to outstanding professional musicians.

Thank you, Jeffery, for all the time and effort you have given to creating something that truly enriches our community and brings so much pleasure to so many.

Angie and Andy Hicks JOHN KINGHAM

DEE MARDI

We might have musically converged in Soho’s La Vie En Rose Showbar in the 1980s, as Jeffery “played some piano there”. But I’d run a mile when offered nude work so we didn’t until around 20 years later in Chelmsford, after I sent Jeffery my song recordings for advice and received a complimentary, helpful note. More followed our jazz, musical theatre, classical and song collaboration Cramphorn Theatre Lunchtime Concert performances. Through Jeffery suggesting I find a hook to combine my writing, acting, composing and singing creativity, I devised The Laundry Of Life Pegged On The Line (2007) incorporating three of our songs: Caramel Comfort, Say You’ll Stay, It Wasn’t Supposed To Be Like This, aired previously in Lunchtime Concerts. Jeffery was up for ad-libbed and scripted acting, modelled his white forearms and shins in the absence of a bronzed 4/6 pack, and played on a laptop instead of piano - a superb Yorkshire accented Internet dating Knight! I was gutted he couldn’t do the Edinburgh Fringe but before and since, Jeffery’s musicianship, mentoring and humour have greatly inspired and supported me and even my students.

It is my honour to bestow felicitations to Jeffery Wilson, Sire of The Order of Lunchtime Concerts in The Theatre of Cramphorn, Chelmsford, on this Thirtieth Anniversary September 11, 2019. LayDee Mardi. PETER MARSHALL SUSAN MORGAN

HOLLY PUTT

Performing at the Cramphorn with the support of Jeffery Wilson was a blessing in disguise, and allowed me to perform and develop my repertoire to a friend- ly and supportive audience. This meant I could nurture my voice and also gain performance experience, which helped im- mensely when auditioning for major mu- sic conservatoires. I have been fortunate enough to have been accepted into Trinity Laban where I am now embarking on my second year.

This is a brilliant opportunity for any musician wanting to experiment their work in front of an audience, and has been vital for me as a performer. I hope Jeffery, and these lunchtime sessions continue to make wonderful music which has multiple benefits for not only the performer, but for local residents in the Chelmsford area. PENNY RICH

Jeffery, I wonder if you can begin to imagine how all-consuming and fulfilling my relationship with The Cramphorn has become? I am though, just one of a huge number of people, who owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude for the patience, support and hard work that you have devoted to making Wenesday lunhtimes so special.

It is a privilege and a joy to have been able to help you to celebrate your thirty years of dedication to the Lunchtime Concerts. Penny X PAUL ROSE

I walked onto the stage at The Cramphorn Theatre for the first time on 27th May 2009 with The East Anglia Single Reed Choir to do a lunchtime concert.

I never imagined that I would be given the opportunity to play in these concerts every year for the last 10 years covering many genres.

Jeffery is a true ambassador for the art form of music anda champion for the live performer no matter what their ability maybe.

Thank you Jeffery for all your hard work that goes into presenting these wonderful shows. GLYNIS & PETER SAUNDERS

The support and enthusiasm that Jeffery gives to all the musicians at the lunchtime concerts is very apparent and makes for most enjoyable occasions. Naturally, I find it particularly noticeable in the performance and confidence of my brother, who I am very proud of.

Glynis & Peter Saunders KEVIN SIMPSON

Hi Jeffery,

What a wonderful thing you have done with the Cramphorn Lunchtime Concerts.

As one of the regular audience members during the last 10 years since I retired, the Wednesday concerts have become an important part of the week. The professional musicians, aspiring amateurs and students that you manage to persuade to perform for us never fail to provide a most enjoyable interlude during the week and rarely fail to introduce music to us that we would otherwise not encounter.

Also, as one of your mature students and an aspiring amateur musician, the opportunity to occasionally play at the Cramphorn has provided the perfect stage to dip one’s toes in the water and to actually perform some of the music that we spend hours and hours on practicing and, given the chance, even the occasional rehearsal!

From being a very reluctant and nervous performer during my early days as a student with you (although somehow you always got me to agree), I have to confess how much I now appreciate and enjoy the experience gained from taking those opportunities as they arise. A lot of this is of course down to the inspiration, teaching, mentoring and support that you have given over the years but also to the warmth and support offered by the regular audience members. Looking back I’m sure that some of my early efforts must have been quite a struggle for even the most die-hard of audiences to listen to but nobody ever said an unkind word and always offered support and encouragement.

I am astounded to realise that I have actually performed in over 40 of these Cramphorn lunchtime concerts in these last 10 years. These performances have either been within your frequent student concerts and jazz parties or with more specific groups that I subsequently became involved with after those early beginnings. Those groups have included “The Darkwood Quartet”, “The Environ Music Group”, “Cross Harmonies”, “What Four”, “Just US”, “This, That and The Other”, “Essex Horns” and “The Bell Trio”. Playing within these groups has rewarded me with many new friends and many hours of enjoyment playing music with them.

Thank you for effectively enabling all of this, making it all possible, and giving us the stage on which to play! SING OUT LOUD

When Jeffery Wilson invited first invited me to bring my community singing group, Sing Out Loud to perform as part of The Cramphorn Theatre, Wednesday Lunch Time Concert Series, I don’t believe he knew there was an existing connection between us.

In 1995, when my father retired, he expressed an interest in having saxophone lessons, in order to re-establish his ability to play. I saw an article in the “Essex Chronicle”, about a local saxophone teacher, Jeffery Wilson. I showed it to my father, who immediately booked lessons.

Under Jeffery’s expert guidance, my father, Derek Lidford, passed his Grade 5, 6, and 7, exams with Distinction, at age 65 – 67! From when he’d first started playing at 16, my father was such a good player with an excellent tone, he was invited to join a local, semi-professional Big Band, The Legionnaires, at age 17. I remember it was a joy – as a child – to hear him practice his scales for 2 or 3 hours a night (yes, really).

Derek played with the band, until his mid-twenties, when we moved away from Essex for a while. He didn’t play again, for about 40 years, until he found Jeffery. Luckily, Jeffery renewed Derek’s confidence in his musical abilities. Although not quite as agile, nor quite as competent today, since my mother’s death, last year, he now plays daily, at age 89.

I am an untrained musician, though I’m sure, hearing my father’s playing, gave me a sense of music, harmony and rhythm. I don’t read music, was too shy to audition, back then, and didn’t feel I was suited to joining a “choir”. Yet I wanted to sing melody and harmony with others, singing folk songs, pop, jazz and singer-songwriter.

As I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I set up Sing Out Loud in Chelmsford in 2008. Many other people also wanted what I was offering at this friendly community singing group. Almost 11 years later, we’re still singing together, and I also opened a branch in Colchester in 2014.

I was delighted to receive Jeffery’s initial invitation to perform at The Cramphorn Theatre. It’s an intimate space, in which my singers and I felt honoured to perform. We all love it. I therefore chose The Cramphorn Theatre as the venue for us to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of Sing Out Loud in November 2018.

We look forward to performing in future Wednesday Lunch Time Concert Series, at The Cramphorn Theatre. Thank you so much, to Jeffery Wilson for your ongoing involvement and effort to keep regular, live, musical entertainment happening, in the .

Karen Hughes Sing Out Loud Community Interest Company JANE SITCH

Dear Jeffery,

30 years of Lunchtime Concerts at the Cramphorn Theatre! You and I have known each other for nearly 30 years! It doesn’t seem possible . . .

I have played in concerts there for approximately 25 years - in your jazz workshops, The Environ Ensemble, The Environ Group, Exchanging Blows Quartet, with various friends and, more recently, our “Swapsies” concerts together. I have gained valuable experience in stagecraft and all that entails, from programming concerts, introducing pieces, lighting, positioning, even what to wear!

All of this has given me the confidence to play in many other venues over the years.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your hard work, dedication and support.

Long may the concerts continue! JOHN SMITH

I first met JJW in the autumn of 1998 when I attended his music evening class ‘performance, improvisation and composition’ in response to advertisement in the local paper. I have never really looked back musically since. I have enjoyed his quirky presentations of musical theory, interpretation and appreciation. He has the very welcome ability to see merit worth encouraging, which to the untrained eye would be passed by. I stopped contributing materially to the Environ Music Group last year but remain a lifelong supporter.

Fantastic music making, fantastic people, fantastic founder. FRANK SPEARS

I first met Jeffery when he taught music at Jane Sitch’s studio in Springfield. He was very encouraging about one of my compositions “It’s Christmas.”

I have performed live with Jeffery at the Cramphorn lunchtime concerts a few times and enjoyed them all. My highlight was when I did a brief talk on my portable synthesiser; and EMS Synthi A, which I demonstrated to the receptive audience. I invited anyone to have a go on the synthesiser, and one girl did and was in her element! Unfortunately one person from the audience didnt appreciated the sounds it made and quickly left, but you cant please everyone!

Jeffery and I then did an improvised piece with Jeffery on piano and me on the synthesiser to show that both instruments; one traditional and one electronic, could make a pleasing sound together.

Jeffery has recorded in my studio and recommended a couple of local singers who have recorded with me.

Jeffery has been very helpful giving expert advice on my compositions as well.

Frank Spears THIS THAT & THE OTHER

Little did we know when we first formulated the idea of putting a Cram- phorn Concert together and requesting your support what it would lead to.

The first hurdle to be passed, following your immediate support and encouragement, was your statement that this trio would need a name. After great deliberation we came up with “This, That and The Other” and have had to explain it ever since - not helped by Penny occasionally changing who’s turn it is to be “The Other”! Phew, first hurdle safely crossed.

Then came the process of deciding which pieces to play - you did it again - your great ideas and support inspired us to take on the Mendelssohn as the centrepiece of the proposed concert and you even suggested at what minimum tempo we should aim at if it were to work. That process taught us both the real meaning of practice and our respective spouses have regretted that ever since.

Then another bright idea: why didn’t we ask you to write a piece of music for us to play at the concert, even having the audacity to request a saxophone trio if you wouldn’t mind playing along with us. Within days, “This, That and The Other” was composed, not easy piec- es and there we were actually going to have to play them at their world premiere with the Maestro in public. As if the Mendelssohn wasn’t enough pressure!

Who knows what it all sounded like in December 2016 and how the performance went but our friendly Cramphorn audience were very supportive and appreciative. We enjoyed it all so very much, that we were buzzing for days afterwards. We were aware that our performance had a few of those little interesting moments, which is of course what performing is all about, but we both just immediately agreed that we would love to do another one.

The second concert in March 2018 - what had you unleashed! Penny’s fiendish arrangement of the Marquez Danzon No2, Roger Purcell’s Two Miniatures - another sax trio with wonderfully difficult rhythms, a rather lovely arrangement of Gabriel’s Oboe in which all three of us had some hand in writing, and of course how could we not miss the opportunity to finish the con- cert with our second performance of “This, That & The Other”.

Now we were getting a real taste for it. Our third and most recent concert in May 2019 includ- ed my arrangement of the Mozart Clarinet Quintet for two clarinets and piano (sorry Mozart), Penny’s funky composition -Two Birds, One Stone - (I’m sure she insisted on us playing that just to hone my ability to count and come in on the very odd off-beats from time to time and to test your skills in programming her keyboard to produce the right sounds), and of course the wonderful “In The Twilight Rain” for clarinet, alto sax and piano that you wrote especiallly for us. This last piece is already earmarked to become a permanent fixture in future concerts.

Jeffery, we cannot thank you enough for your inspiration, support and encouragement, for playing with us, and for organising the lunchtime concerts to give aspiring musicians such as us the opportunity to get out there and perform music. Wonderful !

This & That ANGELA THOMSON

I have been attending the lunchtime concerts in the Cramphorn since 2002-03. Not sure when they started there but I am sure it was after the Friday lunchtime concerts at the cathedral. I come from a very musical family - my father still plays the fiddle at 92 - but I can’t sing, dance or play any musical instruments however I love all sorts of music.

I have always enjoyed the concerts, the Fairtrade coffee & the occasional mince pie from Jeffrey! The present staff are all friendly & helpful & of course I remember Bob who sadly died on his way to work at the lunchtime concerts. I am glad that his widow, June, still comes to listen sometimes. I have fond memories too of others who have retired - Joan, Chris & the former manager who commuted from London & whose name I can’t remember.

And then there are the performers, many regulars have improved over time! I have only once left when someone could play but not sing...! It is hard to pick out a favourite but pianist Catherine Leonard, D’Ukes, Where’s Spot?, the Daisy Bowlers, Saxology, Victor & Guy, & various school groups are just some that I have enjoyed over the years.

One Christmas, I went to a friend’s house for a fundraising party & another regular lunchtime concert goer was there & of course we got chatting & now we always sit together, then another friend of mine started coming, then a friend of hers & his neighbour so there is now quite a little crowd who go for a drink afterwards & meet for lunch when there is no concerts on.

Finally, I was diagnosed with tendonitis/repetitive strain injury c2006 & was told not to use a computer for some weeks. It actually took 9 months for my hand to recover but my employers got me someone to help me so I was able to return to work. The first few weeks were terrible as I was in such pain & I thought I might not be able to work at my current job which I love any more. Forcing myself to get out of the house & come to the concerts helped me greatly. CHRIS WESTON

I first met Jeffery when I was 16 and he had such an immediate and positive effect on my music making and outlook. He enabled me to to get into Cambridge University and has never stopped supporting me: he has been with me throughout every step of my career. These days I am proud to call him my friend and colleague and we have enormous fun playing together as part of ‘Triptych’. He has made my life so much richer. Thank you Jeffery! IAN WHITESIDE

To me, as a latecomer to playing an instrument, Jeffery was a real inspiration, his advice invalu- able and his enthusiasm so infectious –

A wonderful human being.

SUE WILLIAMS