Christopher Beaumont

Chris’s journey into Music began at a very young age. Many family members are into the Arts; several, notably both parents – have made a living Profession of Music. Unsurprisingly, Chris showed signs of a musical and attentive ear, despite not starting to speak until well into age 3. He was soon copying sounds that he heard to immense pitch accuracy (example: car engines, washing machines). By age 5-6 he was reciting the lyrics of Whole Songs that his Mother sang; Stories and Monologues - which he had heard on tape from memory. Following parental encouragement, Chris started on Piano at age 6 with teacher Muriel Jones – whom he is still in regular contact. His ear flourished, and his musical journey was underway. The Piano lessons were classed as a hobby for Chris – whilst he concentrated on education. However, the Music and continuing lessons were to become a lifeline. Chris thanks his parents hugely for this: His gratitude “I will never find a way to express 100%”. --------------------------------------- Science has been a major interest throughout Chris’ life, in particular Astronomy. This was inspired by the work of Sir Patrick Moore, who was well known in the field – both in writing, and with the monthly BBC Television program ‘The Sky at Night’. Chris wrote to Patrick about Astronomy and Patrick replied – as he did to every one of the letters he received. An invite was included – with Patrick being local to Chris. The resultant meeting started a good friendship. Chris discovered Patrick’s Music later, via it being used on a Cassette Documentary that Patrick presented. The Subject was the UK Solar Eclipse of 1999. The Curious Music was being used as Background, in Orchestral Arrangements. Following subsequent research, we found it to be by Patrick and available on CD at the time. A copy was sought, and as a young boy - Chris was gripped. There are two tracks of Patrick playing Xylophone on this album - 'Hurricane' and 'Penguin Parade'. A 2nd letter was written asking about the fascinating sound. The invite came, and during the visit Patrick, on the spot, lent him a small 2.2 Octave Xylophone that he used when he was younger (10 and a half years ago as of January 2017). Chris successfully taught himself several of Patrick’s pieces, following Patrick giving him copies of further scores over further visits. After two years, Chris upgraded to the 4 Octave Instrument in use today. Over time, other equipment has also been obtained, including the various Mallets + Effects. Chris decided to go for Music as a Career mid-way through Sixth-Form, when the original plan – Science and Astronomy – didn’t work out. --------------------------------------- Chris studied for two years at Havant Sixth-Form College, Hampshire; and then for a year at South Downs College, Waterlooville. He was also very lucky to spend some time with ‘West Sussex County Music' - as an Auxiliary & Tuned Percussionist. He spent two very enjoyable years with the County Music Group’s, gaining valuable experience and meeting great people. --------------------------------------- Chris plays his own interpretation of music from many different styles with various accompaniments. These include Piano, Rhythm Section and Big Band. New ideas and styles are constantly being added to the repertoire. Most of the Music Chris performs he arranges himself, following him picking up the basics at Sixth-Form, and teaching himself the rest. A new addition in 2016 is a Vibraphone - the Instrument of the Tuned Percussion family famously used in Jazz. Chris is able to perform sets of Music for the Jazz Vibraphone in addition to Xylophone. Chris regularly performs with ‘The Hastings Sinfonia’, and sings Bass in the Portsmouth Choral Union Choir. One of his many ambitions is to Perform in The Royal Albert Hall, London. He has many hobbies and interests. Music Archivist for Sir Patrick Moore CBE: Sir Patrick passed away on December 9th 2012, just shy of his 90th Birthday. His 90th (in March 2013), was long in the planning as a local public celebration - thus it happened in Patrick's memory. Chris was invited to play at the event at 'The Selsey Centre' - a true celebration of Patrick's life and community spirit with an audience of mostly local people. Along with Chris, contributions came from Dr Brian May, John Culshaw, and Sir Tim Rice. Since that event, in collaboration with Brian, Chris became the archivist for all of Patrick’s surviving Sheet Music. This is a task which Chris is very proud and honoured to do. He is slowly - with care & determination - restoring all of the Music to full working order. He hopes for the Music to be enjoyed by all - in some cases for the 1st time - well into the future. He is also working towards many other ideas for the Music. Chris has the honour of having Sir Patrick's own Concert 4-Octave Xylophone, which he has now restored. The instrument has been used for a new recording of Patrick's Music which is out now - hopefully the first of many! Chris is also working on digitizing to computer some of Patrick's countless cassette tapes, recovered from his house. Patrick often recorded onto cassette a great deal of Events and then duplicated these traditionally for his own use. The recordings range from himself playing the Piano, Event Rehearsals, Concerts, Radio Shows and much else besides.