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Dick Passmore was born in Exeter and has always lived in or close to the city. He is not a musician, and cannot read a note of music, but nevertheless enjoys music of varying types – from traditional jazz to classical. Since his teens, Dick has enjoyed listening to light, popular classical music, and this probably gives him more pleasure than any other type.
The success of his Christmas Concerts, organised for FORCE in 2004 and 2006, encouraged him to raise the level somewhat and Classics Galore! is the result. Dick and his wife Rosemary have made several trips to London to experience Raymond Gubbay's Classical Spectacular concerts at The Royal Albert Hall. These concerts, by the way, are thoroughly recommended if you have never seen one. Having been totally impressed with the London shows, Dick started wondering if it would be possible to stage something on similar lines in Exeter , and several years ago started planning a concert based on the London idea.
For various reasons, particularly that of expense, it is not possible to create the same amazing lighting and other effects seen in London, and of course the number of participants have to be considerably fewer. With Devon being fortunate in having a wealth of good orchestras, choruses and brass bands, a scaled-down version certainly seemed possible. Thus Classics Galore! was born. Unfortunately Exeter has no dedicated concert hall, or large theatre, and apart from Exeter Cathedral there is no building that can take an audience of over 1,000 with a stage large enough to hold over 200 musicians - except, of course, Exeter University 's Great Hall – but even that was not designed as a concert hall.
Dick and Rosemary's aim was to have an evening of popular classical items that would be recognised by everyone – not necessarily the title, nor perhaps the composer, but the actual tune. Does it really matter if you do not know the name of the piece, or the composer? Of course not, it is the sound and visual appeal that counts. Getting around 200 musicians, singers, chairs and instruments suitably arranged on the Great Hall stage is not easy, and so it is extended by three metres to accommodate them all! The idea is to have everyone on stage together, to avoid groups coming and going and thus distracting the audience – and having them all together allows a few more minutes of music!
Classics Galore! concerts are in aid of FORCE, Exeter 's Cancer Charity, chosen simply because Dick Passmore has been a cancer patient, and is well aware of the wonderful work carried out by Meriel Fishwick and her team at the FORCE Cancer Support Centre, located in the grounds of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital . So what better reason can there be for his efforts to raise money for such a great charity?
The logistics of organising Classics Galore! are quite complex. Whilst Dick is Concert Director, it must be emphasised that this is a team effort. Dick and Rosemary spend several months working on the concert, assisted by the FORCE fund-raising team and representatives of the participating groups. To get the right end result, planning and preparation has to be spot on, and second best is not an option. On the evening of the concert a large team – all of whom are volunteers – are involved in ensuring the evening runs smoothly, and every one of them plays an important part in the concert.
Tonight you will, hopefully, see the fruits of their labours culminate in another highly successful and enjoyable concert.
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