Very Sad News about Ben

Dear All

I am so very sorry to pass on the devasting news that our wonderful Music Director Ben Thapa died today. We understood he was on the mend while being treated in hospital but clearly this was not the case. I know this will come as an awful shock to everyone. 

Ben said to me many times that he just loved bringing people together to sing. He really believed in our choir and I know many of you felt inspired by his enthusiastic and committed direction. As seems fitting, we are going to go ahead with our first rehearsal next week, with Penny Homer at the helm as originally planned. We then hope to continue the term following Ben’s programme– more information to follow.

Rather than start the new programme next week, we invite everyone to bring a drink of their choice to the rehearsal at Christchurch- usual time 19:45. We will have a toast to Ben then sing some favourite pieces from our year with him – details will follow shortly. I’ll be bringing most of a very nice bottle of gin that Ben brought to the Summer choir party and left behind, together with some Fever Tree tonics. I had hoped to return them to him at the start of this term, but instead it would be very nice to share with anyone who fancies a glass.

Comments

8 responses to “Very Sad News about Ben”

  1. David Howell avatar
    David Howell

    Devastating news.

    So very sad.

    1. siobhan.waswood@icloud.com avatar
      siobhan.waswood@icloud.com

      It really is. Hard to believe.

  2. Jules Hess avatar
    Jules Hess

    Holy shit,

    This is unreal. When is the funeral?

    I’ll bring stuff for next week and hope to celebrate Ben’s memory although I didn’t get to know him.

    Love from Jules

    1. siobhan.waswood@icloud.com avatar
      siobhan.waswood@icloud.com

      Hi Jules, I don’t have details of funeral yet. Will be keeping a lookout and shall inform as soon as I know. Lovely that you can come next week and looking forward to seeing you then.

  3. Brenda Morris avatar
    Brenda Morris

    This is very sad news indeed. I have a church meeting on the 17th September when you hope to start up again. There is just the possibility I will be able to join you after the meeting. I will check at the church on my way up the road.

    1. siobhan.waswood@icloud.com avatar
      siobhan.waswood@icloud.com

      Thank you Brenda. I very much hope you can make it next week. It would be lovely to see you. And how wonderful to hear you’re attending church meeings again! Marvellous news.

  4. Tim Compton avatar
    Tim Compton

    huge loss: I learnt more about singing from him (&Tom Coxhead DOM @ Christ Church about singing in the last year than the previous 30+. Ben was also a wondeful singer – the song he sang at the workshop earlier this year wqs, as they say, worth the entrance fee alone.
    Tim C

    1. Siobhan Jones avatar
      Siobhan Jones

      Lovely comment Tim. Hopefully see you tomorrow.

Leave a Reply