A Tragic Loss

It is just over a year since Nick Bennett joined the choir as Musical Director, only two months after leaving his home-town of Lytham St. Anne’s and settling on Teesside. During this short space of time he had a great musical impact in his adopted town of Darlington and also with the Apollo choir. In addition to his Apollo commitments he was actively involved with three churches in the Darlington area, playing the organ to a high standard and helping with their church choirs.
He also joined Darlington Operatic Society appearing in their two most recent shows, ‘Oliver’ and ‘Annie’.
His arrival at the Apollo was like a ‘breath of fresh air’ and the choir soon adapted to this young man conducting us with boundless enthusiasm and energy. He took little time in coming up with arrangements of modern music for the choir, blending well with many of Gwyn’s arrangements, to produce a varied concert programme.
Nick’s work tempo was high at rehearsals but significantly there was always a good attendance as choir members worked hard to get to grips with a different style of conducting.
Although apprehensive at his early concerts his confidence soon grew and on a number of occasions at Church venues he accompanied the choir on the Church organ. He then successfully guided us through our Annual concerts in December before convincing the committee to enter the Eskdale Festival even though we had not competed for some fifteen years. He said that since we claim to be the best, then we should get out there and prove it and although we were unsuccessful this time, he learned from the experience and was eager for the next opportunity.
He was full of musical ideas for the future and top of his wish list was a new youth choir that could perform in its own right and also become a ‘feeder’ system for the Apollo Choir. He had discussed the project with Middlesbrough Education Committee and various local youth choir directors and plans were well on the way to establish the young choir. His determination would most certainly have carried this project through.
A week before his untimely death he was working hard putting together the repertoire for our Annual Concerts in December and about this time Nick’s wife, Heather, was telling our members how much he was enjoying his time with the Apollo. Equally so, to a man, choir members considered it a privilege to be working with him.
Now, however, for the second time in less than a year, Apollo choir members found themselves present at the funeral of their Musical Director.
Attendance at Nick’s funeral, which was at All Saints Church, Blackwell, was testament to his popularity, with all seats taken and many of the congregation spilling over into the foyer and the Church hall. He would have appreciated this and the many kind things that were said about him. He would particularly have liked the choice of music for the service that included ‘O God The King Of Glory’ sung by the All Saints’ and Salutation Church Choir and ‘Blaenwern’ sung by the Apollo Male Voice Choir. A difficult time for both choirs.
Proceeds from a collection after the funeral service were to be used for the installation of a stained glass window in the Church to celebrate Nick’s memory. It could be incorporated during the Church’s forthcoming building modifications.
It is difficult to believe he is no longer with us and our hearts go out to his wife Heather and family.
We are all much the poorer for his passing.