Memorial concert honours Tom Hammond

A concert in memory of conductor, artistic director and producer Tom Hammond who died suddenly last December at the age of 47. The concert, held on 30 September at St George’s church in London’s Hanover Square, will be conducted by Matthew Taylor, with clarinettist Poppy Beddoe.

Organised by friends and colleagues of Hammond, the concert will feature music by Jean Sibelius, his favourite composer, as well as works by living composers Bernard Hughes, James Francis Brown and Matthew Taylor, who Hammond championed throughout his life.

Tickets cost £10-£30 and proceeds from the concert will be donated to young musicians’ charities Future Talent and London Music Fund. The concert’s conductor, soloist, orchestral players and publicist are offering their services free of charge.

Born in 1974, Hammond’s career has taken him around the world. His UK experience includes the role of principal conductor with St Albans Symphony Orchestra from 2016 until his death as well as work with leisure-time music charity Making Music. Hammond was also Hertford Symphony Orchestra’s music director for seven years, and co-founded Hertfordshire Festival of Music in 2016.

Since 2011 Tom has also made regular visits to the Middle East, conducting ensembles from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music including the Palestine Youth Orchestra and adjudicating for the Palestine National Music Competition. Hammond was made conductor emeritus of London’s Sinfonia Tamesa in 2019 and appointed an associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2010.

More information about the concert, including tickets, can be found here.