Crystal Palace Band is sad to announce the death of Roger Lewis Clements, its chairman and longest-playing member. 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.
Michael Gray, Crystal Palace Band’s conductor said: “Not only have we lost our chairman and an excellent musician, but we have also lost a dearly-loved friend. His dedication and enthusiasm for the band will never be matched and Crystal Palace Band will not be the same without him“.
Roger’s funeral will be held at Friday 4 March at 3.30 pm at the North East Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden, SM4 4NU. No floral tributes please, but any donations to be made payable to St Christopher’s Hospice, via 7 Rosemead Avenue, Mitcham, CR4 1EZ.
Roger Lewis Clements, 57, passed away on 24 February after a brave fight against cancer and is survived by his wife, Janet.
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