| It is with great sadness that I report the sudden and unexpected death in late July of Peter Brice, who was the brilliant and much loved Classical Music Director of Rye Arts Festival for 8 years from 2009-2017. Among his many achievements was bringing an annual opera to the Festival, always of the highest standard thanks to the talents of Alisdair Kitchen, whom Peter nurtured and befriended. Peter also brought the youthful Piatti Quartet to be ‘in residence’ for one Festival with a series of memorable concerts, including a free concert in the Queen’s Head pub in Rye! Peter loved music. He loved people, and he loved life. There is to be a Memorial Concert for Peter on Saturday 4th November at All Saints Church, Maidstone ME15 6YE at 2pm followed by tea and cake and/or wine. And Peter’s widow Bumble has said that Rye Arts Festival friends and colleagues are welcome to attend. There are no entry tickets but there will be a retiring collection in aid of a new Peter Brice Bursary Fund which will be used to support future Caius & Gonville College (Peter’s old Cambridge college) music scholars. The programme will be performed by top class musicians from different genres, and will include some joyful choral music as well as some exquisite chamber music, a couple of opera cameos, and even a couple of hilarious cabaret items, so there will definitely be something for everyone. There is plenty of parking near the church (College Road Car Park, Lockmeadow Car Park, Mill Street Car Park, and the Palace Avenue Car Park) so people do not need to venture into the town centre. Hopefully, I will see many of you there to remember and celebrate Peter Brice and his full life which was well lived. Kind regards, Andy Stuart Festival Director |