Arthur Humphrey

Charles Arthur Humphrey
1909 - 2000

arthur In this page we remember and acknowledge the support, generosity and friendship of our benefactor Arthur Humphrey who was brought up in Sheffield and subsequently returned to the city in retirement after a teaching career in English public schools and West African universities.

Arthur was a fine teacher of mathematics who developed a deep love of music through playing the organ, harpsichord, recorder and cello, and through choral singing. Throughout his life, he stimulated and encouraged young and amateur players wherever he was, from friends and neighbours through to pupils who became national names, such as Sir Colin Davis.

In Sheffield, he made friends through many activities, including playing chamber music, walking in the Peak District, and attending St Mark's Church at Broomhill. He gave unstinting support to concerts presented by the University Department of Music and the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra.

Arthur was a patron of the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra for over 20 years, and frequently attended our concerts. Following his death, we were astounded to learn that Arthur had bequeathed over £25000 to the Orchestra - an astonishingly generous legacy, which will help us to pursue an imaginative future for the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra.

To mark our thanks and respect for such a generous gift, the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra has designated the second concert of each season to be known as The Arthur Humphrey Memorial Concert. The first such concert was given on 9th March 2003 at Firth Hall, at the University of Sheffield. The programme included:

Overture: Allegro con Brio - Beethoven arr. Wiltshire
Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor - Beethoven, soloist Murray McLachlan
Dances in Landscapes - Hensher
Symphony No.35 in D (Haffner) - Mozart.

The Overture and the Dances in Landscapes were new works commissioned by the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra, and funded by proceeds from the Arthur Humphrey legacy.

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The Sheffield Chamber Orchestra gratefully acknowledges assistance from

Making Music

and

The University of Sheffield