Current Programme
History, Poetry and Music of the First World War Tuesday 10th June 2014
WWI Commemoration Programme 10 June 2014
‘Musical Legacy of WWI’ Factsheet 10 June 2014
Tuesday 10 June 2014, Lambourne Room, Redbridge Town Hall, Ilford, IG2 1DD (Oakfield Road entrance) 8:00 pm
Tickets will be available at the door: £10 (Visitors) £6 (Members). The event will be followed by a cheese-and-wine party
The event will be preceded by a short Annual General Meeting of Redbridge Music Society (members only) from 7:30 to 7:55 pm
Tonight, Redbridge Music Society offers its own contribution to the Borough’s commemoration of the First World War. The evening will include a presentation of soldiers’ and civilians’ personal experiences of the war through the letters they sent; there will also be a reappraisal of the role of Field-Marshall Haig given by local historian Chris Brant. Poetry which resulted as a response to the war will be presented and read by Rodney Williams and popular music that was current at the time will be presented and played by Ian Patience using original recordings. Local musician Clive Miller (bugle) will also perform.
A factsheet about the history and artistic legacy of the ‘Great War’ will be provided at the event. The evening will conclude with the Society’s annual summer cheese-and-wine party to which all attendees are invited.
Our annual summer party with complimentary wine and light refreshments will commence at about 9:15 pm
Biographies
CHRIS BRANT (History of the Great War)
Chris graduated in History at Queens’ College Cambridge and after subsequent teaching posts at Reigate Grammar School and Radley College he was appointed Head of History at Forest School, Snaresbrook. He has a special interest in the history of the First World War, and in particular Field-Marshall Douglas Haig.
IAN PATIENCE (Popular music at the time of WWI)
Ian has been a member of Redbridge Music Society for over 20 years and has served on the Committee as Deputy-Secretary for over 15 years. He has a wide knowledge of music of all genres and is especially interested in the Great British Music Hall – in particular the old Ilford Hippodrome. Tonight Ian will introduce songs popular at the time of WWI.
RODNEY WILLIAMS (WWI Poetry and letters sent during the War)
Rodney was a chorister in King’s College Choir, Cambridge, under Dr Boris Ord and had the honour of being chosen as the opening treble soloist for the King’s College Carol Service the first time it was televised and on the first LP recoding that King’s College made. He studied at the Royal College of Music during which time he gained an ARCM on the organ. He has sung in many choirs including the BBC Singers and the choir of the Chapel Royal at the Tower of London. For well over 20 years has sung as lay-vicar in the choir of Westminster Abbey and has taken part in all the State occasions, recordings and broadcasts including Royal Weddings, Memorial Services and the Queen’s Silver Wedding Service.
CLIVE MILLER (Bugler: Reveille and Last Post )
Clive was born and educated in Ilford, Essex, and studied trumpet with the Redbridge Music Service under John Ridgeon. He became a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music whilst still at school and played principal trumpet with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Clive has worked as a science teacher, a computer analyst and more recently as a garden designer. He currently plays with the Aurelian Ensemble, Redbridge Brass and Opera Novella, and teaches brass for the London Boroughs of Redbridge and Havering. He lives in Wanstead with his wife and two daughters.