It is with great sadness that we heard today of the passing of Sir Roger Gifford, Chairman of our Board of Trustees. Our first thoughts and prayers are with Clare and Roger’s family at this time, and to whom on behalf of myself, all our singers past and present, our management team and our current Trustees I convey our sincerest condolences.

Sir Roger has been a wonderful friend and brilliant Chairman for all of those involved with Tenebrae over the last ten years. A fine singer and musician himself, his enthusiasm for Tenebrae and our music making was infectious and constant. Roger became our Chairman at a very difficult time for Tenebrae after our co-founder Barbara Pollock passed away in 2010. Indeed, without his help at that critical time it is unlikely Tenebrae would have survived, so I will always owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Roger had a great sense of fun and Board Meetings with him at the helm were always something to be looked forward to. He could inspire huge efforts from everyone, even if the challenges were considerable, with just a hint of a smile, which was never far from his face. His warmth and generosity will be sorely missed by all of us and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all his words of wisdom over the years.

Nigel Short

Further information can be found here