A CONCERT in memory of a beloved music teacher is being held to honour her musical legacy.

Clara Roberts, known as Claire, sadly passed away last year. She died in hospital at the age of 75, leaving her three children and husband behind along with hundreds of friends.

The Cantare Ladies Choir Southend are hosting a concert, as a “thank you” to her, for all she did in the area.

Claire went to Earls Hall Primary School and Westcliff High for Girls, before becoming a music teacher.

Her first teaching role was at Shoebury High School, which she left once her son, Jonathon, was born. Her other children, Catherine and Timothy, were born shortly after.

She was the accompanist and then conductor of the Junior Co-Op Choir, which became the Southend Young Singers. The choir were even invited to tour Hungary, France and Czechoslovakia.

For older performers, Claire formed the Claire Singers, which started in her front room.

Once her children had grown up, she taught singing and music at Southend High School for Girls, was a leading soprano in the Southend Choral Society and was also a soloist.

Members of the Cantare Ladies Choir have invited the Claire Singers and the Southend Young Singers to join in on the afternoon rehearsal, before performing altogether in the evening.

Christine Fielding, from the Cantare Ladies Choir, said: “I worked with Claire, both in the Southend Young Singers when it was the Junior Co-Op Choir, and the Claire Singers.

“She certainly impacted my life through her love of music, she was a very emotional singer.

“Even though we was serious about music, she was always jolly. She would even act out the words to the songs we sung.

“Other members of the choir were close friends with Claire, some knew her well and some knew her on a professional level. Either way, she influenced so many lives.

“If she knew we were organising this, she would be thrilled. We’re working with her daughter Catherine to arrange it.

“We’re singing all of her favourite songs, including Grand Night, her signature tune.”

The concert will be held at Southend High School for Boys on Saturday, March 16, from 7.30.

Tickets are £8 and proceed will go to the Children’s Society.

To purchase tickets visit cantare.org.uk or Facebook - Cantare Ladies Choir Southend or phone 01702 612793.