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Clive Jenkins

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Roger Swann had the chance to play with Abbey Brass on 18th February 2024 in Stoke Demeral Church, Plymouth.

This proved to be a wonderful occasion not just because of the fine brass playing by my colleagues in Abbey Brass but also because one of the main concert organisers was Clive Jenkins.

I started playing the horn at the age of 11 and within a very short period of time I became a member of the Cavendish School brass band conducted by Clive Jenkins. Although he taught modern languages at the school, Mr Jenkins took a major part in the after school music activities, conducting both the school band and also a small orchestra primarily formed to allow school students to play concertos with an orchestra backing. His enthusiasm for music was matched only by his joyful approach to life (“Happy Morning” was always his preferred greeting). He was always happy to encourage all his students to enjoy performing and was particularly generous with his time for me. Friday afternoons after school were regularly spent working on horn and piano repertoire including composers as diverse as Mozart, Gilbert Vinter and Paul Hindermith. Without doubt he sowed the seed that grew into my love of music in general and horn playing in particular.

At the age of 14 my parents moved to Leicester, where I was lucky enough to meet many other talented musical teachers who nurtured the seed that Mr Jenkins had sown. I quickly lost touch with him and have long thought how good it would be to thank him properly.

When Clive Jenkins introduced the Abbey Brass concert it was the first time I had seen him in fifty years. It felt like a long standing debt had been repaid when I was able to shake his hand and effusively thank him, face to face.

Clive Jenkins and his wife, Sheila, with Roger

(Photograph: Julie)

For more information on Clive Jenkins and his many compositions please visit www.clivejenkinsmusic.co.uk.

To see the review of the Abbey Brass concert please visit my reviews.

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