December 7th 2019 Please Note: This concert will be held at the Regis School of Music, 46 Sudley Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1ER Concert £9 (£11)
"Have I Got Tunes For You"
Christopher Beaumont ~ xylophone
Derek Carden ~ piano

 

Born into a professional music family, Christopher Beaumont began studying piano at age six with Muriel Jones. Science has been a great interest throughout Chris' life, in particular Astronomy, which was inspired by the work of Sir Patrick Moore. Chris wrote to Patrick about Astronomy and Patrick replied - as he did to every one of the letters he received. An invitation was included and the resultant meeting started a friendship. Chris was gripped by Patrick playing the xylophone and successfully taught himself several of Patrick's pieces and following further influence by Patrick, turned professional in July 2011.

Following the passing of Sir Patrick in 2012, Chris was given the role of Sir Patrick's Music Archivist in 2013. This was overseen by Dr Brian May, Patrick's executor, friend, astrophysicist and 'Queen' guitarist. Chris is very proud of this position, and the project is long term; updates and information are posted on his website, with the aim of the restoration of Patrick's surviving musical scores to be heard by all. Chris has also restored Sir Patrick's Concert Xylophone, now used by both him and Patrick on CD Recordings.

 

Derek Carden started his musical career as a Rochester cathedral chorister, then reading music at Nottingham University, and the London Opera Centre. He has had a career of conducting, repetiteuring, accompanying, teaching, specialising in opera and church music. Derek has conducted over fifty operas from the standard repertoire, as well as many rare works. He has appeared throughout the UK, and abroad, recording a CD of orchestral music with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and a series of concerts nationwide with Sir Patrick Moore.

 

The 'Have I Got Tunes For You' concert will feature a variety of original works by Patrick Moore, as well as arrangements of various composers' works, some of which share a connection with Patrick.