About the concerts

Since the conception of the idea for today’s concerts there have been two main objectives:

  • For the children to have a truly memorable and enjoyable day
  • To raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund to fund further research into childhood leukaemias
It started out as an idea last summer for BYS to do a tribute concert in memory of one of their young players, Jamie Gregory, who sadly died on 27th June 1999, aged 9, from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.  Jamie had been an enthusiastic and active member of BYS since the age of 6, playing ‘cello in the Junior Strings.

Andy Staples was offered the use of a prestigious venue – the Linbury Studio Theatre at the newly renovated Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.   The LRF were contacted and were very excited about the possibility of such a thrilling event.  The BYS Parents Association got planning on the administrative front.  Andy and Julie Staples got planning on the musical front.  The children and tutors started rehearsing after Christmas and after a lot of hard work and fun for all concerned the concerts happened…

BYS traditionally performs a summer charity concert.  The last two years have seen performances as part of Trinity Hospice’s fundraising week.  Last year’s concert on June 13th, just two weeks before he died, was Jamie’s last appearance at a BYS event.  Despite having been in hospital late the night before for a blood transfusion, Jamie had insisted on going to cheer on his headmaster and his wife, teachers and school friends’ families who were taking part in the Leukaemia Research Fund’s London Bikeathon. Although he was very weak he surprised everyone by getting out of his wheelchair, commandeering his friend Tom’s bike and completing 2 laps of the Battersea Park circuit.  From Battersea Park he went on to Trinity Hospice to hear BYS perform, where he greatly enjoyed being pushed around the beautiful grounds in his wheelchair by a number of friends from the orchestra.

Jamie always derived enormous pleasure from performing and listening to a wide range of music.  The concerts are both a very fitting tribute to his huge enthusiasm for life and having fun and a great way to combine an exciting musical experience for all the children taking part with support for a really worthwhile cause.