A concert to celebrate the life of acclaimed music writer and journalist Lyndon Jenkins is to be held at Birmingham Town Hall.
at St Mary’s Hospice, Birmingham, aged 75.
He moved to Birmingham from his native Swansea in the early 1960s to take up a position as personal assistant to Sir Robert Booth, then Director of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
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Working alongside Sir Robert, he played a key role in the proposed , ultimately taking on the role of Press Officer after it opened in 1976.
Mr Jenkins wrote for the Birmingham Post between 1972 and 1987, was Classical Presenter at Mercia Sound (1980-89), BRMB (1986-89) and BBC Radio WM (1989-92) and later presented a weekly programme of light music on Saga Radio.
He joined Symphony Hall as Special Projects Manager in 1993 and following his retirement in 2004, remained part of the Town Hall and Symphony Hall team as an adviser.
The concert, on Thursday, September 25, hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber, aims to illustrate some of the many facets of Mr Jenkins’ long career as a musicologist, broadcaster and writer, including some of his particular interests in English, Danish and light music, and his support for the careers of young professional musicians.
Mr Lloyd Webber said: “Lyndon was my friend for nearly 40 years. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of music and was immensely generous with his fountain of information.
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“He was also hugely helpful to young artists at the start of their careers.
“He possessed a caustic sense of humour which will doubtless be lovingly recalled by this concert’s musicians.”
Mr Jenkins gave the first Adrian Boult lecture in Birmingham in 1986, was Chairman of the Delius Society from 1994-2000, latterly Vice-President, and Chairman of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies.
Andrew Jowett OBE, Chief Executive, Town Hall and Symphony Hall said: “For many of our classical music audiences, Lyndon Jenkins was the public face of Town Hall and Symphony Hall.
“He played a key role in programming the Birmingham International Concert Season and was responsible for originating a number of specially-themed festivals and projects which have contributed significantly to Town Hall and Symphony Hall’s reputation among the great concert halls of the world.
“I am immensely grateful to Julian Lloyd Webber and the many musicians who have agreed so readily to take part in what I am sure will be a fitting event to remember our much missed friend and colleague.”
A retiring collection will be taken in aid of Town Hall and Symphony Hall’s work in supporting aspiring young musicians, something Mr Jenkins always sought to encourage.
Lyndon Jenkins: Mainly for Pleasure takes place on Thursday, September 25, 12.30pm at Town Hall Birmingham. Tickets are free and are available from August 15 from Town Hall Symphony Hall box office on 0121 780 3333 or online at www.thsh.co.uk