Roger Clements (1948-2005) - Obituary
It is with great sadness that Crystal Palace Band announces the passing away of our much loved chairman, longest-playing member and dear friend, Roger Lewis Clements. He was 57.
Roger, from Mitcham, Surrey, joined the band at the age of 12 after starting his musical career in the local Boys Brigade Drum & Fife Band. Originally on second baritone, he received training from John Hinckley and although at the age of 15 he passed the entrance audition for the Junior Musician’s Wing of the Grenadier Guards, he never pursued music professionally. He continued to play with Crystal Palace Band, and graduated to Solo Euphonium in 1982.
Roger was well known throughout the brass band world, having been a member of SCABA’s Executive Committee and also SCABA’s representative on the British Federation of Brass Band committee. He enjoyed contesting, his most memorable contest being winning the Second Section SCABA contest at Folkestone with “Henry the Fifth” in 1993.
During his 45 years with the band, Roger played under the baton of many musical directors, most notably James Watson and Derek Greenwood, but was much too young to have been in CPB when Denis Wright was the band’s conductor. Overleaf, conductor Mike Gray shares a few memories with us.
Roger’s funeral was held on Friday 4 March at North East Surrey Crematorium, Morden. In a fitting tribute the band continued with its efforts in the L&S Counties Regional Contest at Stevenage, being placed fourth and winning promotion to the First Section. Roger would have been proud.
A memorial concert is planned for later on in the year – further details will follow. A cheque for £1,225 was given to St Christopher’s Hospice in Roger’s memory and Janet, his wife, would like to thank all those who generously donated.
Roger Lewis Clements, 57, passed away on 24 February 2005 after a brave fight against cancer and is survived by his wife, Janet.
Roger, from Mitcham, Surrey, joined the band at the age of 12 after starting his musical career in the local Boys Brigade Drum & Fife Band. Originally on second baritone, he received training from John Hinckley and although at the age of 15 he passed the entrance audition for the Junior Musician’s Wing of the Grenadier Guards, he never pursued music professionally. He continued to play with Crystal Palace Band, and graduated to Solo Euphonium in 1982.
Roger was well known throughout the brass band world, having been a member of SCABA’s Executive Committee and also SCABA’s representative on the British Federation of Brass Band committee. He enjoyed contesting, his most memorable contest being winning the Second Section SCABA contest at Folkestone with “Henry the Fifth” in 1993.
During his 45 years with the band, Roger played under the baton of many musical directors, most notably James Watson and Derek Greenwood, but was much too young to have been in CPB when Denis Wright was the band’s conductor. Overleaf, conductor Mike Gray shares a few memories with us.
Roger’s funeral was held on Friday 4 March at North East Surrey Crematorium, Morden. In a fitting tribute the band continued with its efforts in the L&S Counties Regional Contest at Stevenage, being placed fourth and winning promotion to the First Section. Roger would have been proud.
A memorial concert is planned for later on in the year – further details will follow. A cheque for £1,225 was given to St Christopher’s Hospice in Roger’s memory and Janet, his wife, would like to thank all those who generously donated.
Roger Lewis Clements, 57, passed away on 24 February 2005 after a brave fight against cancer and is survived by his wife, Janet.
