Dear All
We have some positive news about the choir: we’re delighted to say Penny Homer has agreed to carry on as Music Director for SGC following Ben’s passing. She will follow Ben’s programme for the year up to Summer ’25 and take us forward from there.
It has been difficult while we are all still reeling from Monday’s dreadful news to consider how best to carry on without Ben’s ebullient leadership. We have been buoyed by reminders of his faith in us as a choir and the delight he took in our successes. He was keen to make sure we were supported by people who shared his commitment when other duties called him away and you will not be surprised to hear that Penny Homer was one such person.
Ben held Penny in high regard, admired her work and considered her just the person to lead us when he was absent. He particularly arranged for Penny to kick off this term for him when he realised he wouldn’t be able to make it. Most importantly, she has proved very popular with the choir. It seemed fitting therefore to ask Penny to fill this role and we are delighted she has accepted the challenge! It is also rather nice that Penny was the first candidate to audition for the MD position last year on an evening that left us all excited for the future of the choir.
Penny was really pleased to be asked to take on the role saying it was a huge honour to carry on Ben’s legacy.
It will be lovely to see everyone next Tuesday while we remember Ben. For those of you who may have missed it, here is a link to a moving tribute on Radio 3 posted by Clare Filer, his best friend, who sang soprano for us at our Summer Concert this year. Thank you to Claire Michelet who drew our attention to it. (If you can’t access via the Facebook link, try BBC Sounds R3 Breakfast 10th September at 1h23m in from the start.)
Sheen Gate Choir Committee