Joan Griffiths, a great supporter of Brighton & Hove Arts Council, died in October 2021.
In celebration of her life, her husband Mike hosted a superb concert in July 2022. It was held in the opulent music room at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, and featured the Brighton & East Sussex Youth String Ensemble.
There were around 70 guests and we enjoyed the performances of these talented young people very much. I was particularly impressed by a young lady called Maria Coply, who sang her own musical setting of a sonnet by Pablo Neruda. The programme was varied and the musical standard extremely high.
This group (and many other groups and individuals) are funded and supported by Encore’s “Create Music” programme. Joan was a passionate supporter of this programme and her work and donations enabled many disadvantaged young people to learn instruments, play in ensembles and perform at concerts. A bursary for young musicians set up in her honour will continue that work.
See also Joan Griffiths (1940 – 2021).