Your piece “Once in a generation treasure” in last week’s edition was a fitting tribute to John Powell, a great music maker and character on the Salisbury choral scene.
Your readers may also be interested to know that John was a bass member of the Salisbury Musical Society for almost 45 years.
During those years he was our ticket manager for many, and also used his unparalleled organisational talents from his army days to organise three trips by SMS to Berlin, in 1989, 2000 and 2008.
Read more: Pillar of music in Salisbury John Powell MBE dies aged 92
He arranged the travel, the accommodation, checked arrangements at the concert hall, and organised sightseeing events for the whole choir.
In 2022-23, in his early 90’s, he was a member of the committee that arranged the SMS Centenary events, contributing greatly to its organisation, sponsoring a new work by our conductor David Halls, and providing incisive editorial comment on our centenary booklet.
That booklet referred to the fact that John was a living link to our founder Sir Walter Alcock, a link that we have now sadly lost.
John had an exceptional bass voice, a beaming smile and infectious laugh, and he knew his music.
Those in Salisbury who sing choral music, and especially those in the SMS and the St John Singers, have lost a great friend and inspiring colleague, the like of whom we shall not see again.
We have all benefited from knowing him.
Roy Bexon
President, Salisbury Musical Society
Address supplied.
Send letters by email to newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk or by post to Editor, Salisbury Journal, Suite B (Ground Floor), Milford House, Milford Street, Salisbury, SP1 2BP.
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