SA Musicians in Concert to Benefit Paralyzed Trumpeter

In 1995, at the age of 35, professional trumpeter Clarence Adoo was seriously injured in an automobile accident. With all limbs paralyzed because of a broken neck, he was spared from life on respirator equipment by his highly-developed brass player's diaphragm. His insurance company failed to pay for his care, and the Clarence Adoo Trust was formed to help defray the £100,00 per year expenses his care requires.

The Hendon Band (Bandmaster Stephen Cobb, joined by the Castleford Songsters (Leader Derek Ward) and tenor soloist Bobby Irvine (bandmaster of the Ayr Corps), presented a concert at St. Georges Church in the center of Leeds. Held on Saturday, June 21, the "Northern Lights Festival" was hosted by the Castleford Corps and raised over £3,600 for the trust.

On the following Saturday, June 28, Croydon Citadel saw a group of musicians from the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army and the London Symphony Orchestra present a concert to benefit the Clarence Adoo Trust. Many of the participants had played with Clarence in the old East London Divisional Youth Band. Along with Clarence, the compere for the evening was noted brass band conductor Bram Tovey.

Soloists for the evening included Kevin Ashman of the ISB, playing Norman Bearcroft's "Golden Slippers". The London Symphony Orchestra was represented by Principal Tuba Patrick Harrild, who was a contemporary of Clarence's in the Salvation Army youth band in Shoeburyness. Patrick presented the finale of Edward Gregson's Tuba Concerto. The concert also featured a performance of Ray Steadman-Allen's grand work for piano, brass band, and voices, "Christ is the Answer", with Bram Tovey at the piano and Bandmaster James Williams of Enfield Citadel conducting. Other works presented included "Laudes Domini" (William Gordon), "Spirit of the West" (Dudley Bright), Eric Ball's classic "The Triumph of Peace", and Bram Tovey's "Coventry Variations" (conducted by the composer). The concert concluded with the "Princethorpe Variations" by Kenneth Downie. Over £1,500 was raised for the Clarence Adoo Trust.

For more information or to contribute to the Clarence Adoo Trust, please contact

The Clarence Adoo Trust
c/o Nigel Hiscock
4 Doncella Close
Chafford Hundred
Essex
RM16 6HB
Telephone: 01375 481114

www.clarence.org.uk

Sources:
Clarence Adoo web site
4BarsRest.com concert review
Hendon Band web site

Posted by Webmaster 28 August 2003 12:47:02