Jeffery Wilson
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presented to JEFFERY WILSON by The Worshipful Mayor of Chelmsford 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.