This is a tribute to Tom Bewsey, one SSO's founder members, who died on 13 April 2015 at the age of 98. A concert in his memory took place on 10th October 2015.
Tonight’s concert is dedicated to the memory of our late president, Tom Bewsey OBE.
Tom was a founding member of the Sidcup Symphony Orchestra in 1961, and it remained a lifelong passion. In addition to sitting in the first violin section, he played a central role in the orchestra’s management for decades, and was chairman for many years.
His dedication to the orchestra, from the concerts in Sidcup to overseas tours and music festivals, was extraordinary and inspirational. He is also fondly remembered for narrating SSO Children’s Concerts, including Tubby the Tuba and Peter & The Wolf.
Always keen to spread the word about the orchestra, Tom rarely went anywhere without a handful of programmes to drum up new audiences. They were even packed on cruises, where he would give an entertaining talk on classical music, ‘Do you know your brass from your oboe?’.
Prior to the founding of the orchestra, Tom served as a Major in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War, and was the last chairman of the Indian Signals Association of Great Britain. In civilian life, Tom made a distinguished career in maritime radar and marine engineering, for which he was awarded the OBE in 1984. His job took him on frequent and far-reaching international trips, but he always showed a remarkable ability to be back in Sidcup for Thursday evening rehearsals.
Tom was also an active member of the Arts Council of Bexley, and was a recipient of its annual Festival Trophy Award for outstanding achievement in the arts. A highly respected member of the local community, Tom made an outstanding contribution to many aspects of Sidcup life, and was regarded with great affection by those privileged to know him.
He had a long life well lived, last playing with SSO aged 97 – surely one of the world's oldest active orchestral musicians - and celebrating his 98th birthday surrounded by family earlier this year.
He will be much missed.
Tonight’s concert is dedicated to the memory of our late president, Tom Bewsey OBE.
Tom was a founding member of the Sidcup Symphony Orchestra in 1961, and it remained a lifelong passion. In addition to sitting in the first violin section, he played a central role in the orchestra’s management for decades, and was chairman for many years.
His dedication to the orchestra, from the concerts in Sidcup to overseas tours and music festivals, was extraordinary and inspirational. He is also fondly remembered for narrating SSO Children’s Concerts, including Tubby the Tuba and Peter & The Wolf.
Always keen to spread the word about the orchestra, Tom rarely went anywhere without a handful of programmes to drum up new audiences. They were even packed on cruises, where he would give an entertaining talk on classical music, ‘Do you know your brass from your oboe?’.
Prior to the founding of the orchestra, Tom served as a Major in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War, and was the last chairman of the Indian Signals Association of Great Britain. In civilian life, Tom made a distinguished career in maritime radar and marine engineering, for which he was awarded the OBE in 1984. His job took him on frequent and far-reaching international trips, but he always showed a remarkable ability to be back in Sidcup for Thursday evening rehearsals.
Tom was also an active member of the Arts Council of Bexley, and was a recipient of its annual Festival Trophy Award for outstanding achievement in the arts. A highly respected member of the local community, Tom made an outstanding contribution to many aspects of Sidcup life, and was regarded with great affection by those privileged to know him.
He had a long life well lived, last playing with SSO aged 97 – surely one of the world's oldest active orchestral musicians - and celebrating his 98th birthday surrounded by family earlier this year.
He will be much missed.
