4BR has been informed of the death of Maurice Bale. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday 14th October, aged 83.

Having trained as a teacher, he taught chemistry for many years, principally in Coalville and Windsor, before ending his teaching career as Head of Music at Binley Park School, Coventry.

Versatile

His music-making started in The Salvation Army at Branksome where, although primarily a trombonist, he found himself on solo cornet during the war.

A versatile musician, he played with a wide range of groups, including dance bands, brass bands and symphony orchestras, together with spells on sousaphone at various holiday camps and Alton Towers, at which time he also appeared as a guest on "What's my Line?"

Happy memories

He had happy memories of a fortnight's attachment to the Blues and Royals Band, many of whose members he used to gig with in Windsor.

Brass band involvement included Marlow Town Band and Coventry Festival Band (now Jaguar Coventry), which he conducted for a while in the early 1970s.

Maurice arranged music for such diverse groups as the London Oboe Band, the National Recorder Orchestra and numerous small ensembles, delighting in overcoming apparently insuperable difficulties.

Maurice arranged music for such diverse groups as the London Oboe Band, the National Recorder Orchestra and numerous small ensembles, delighting in overcoming apparently insuperable difficulties4BR

Commissions

His arrangements for low brass proved particularly successful, including commissions from Steven Mead for both solo recordings and for various tuba and euphonium conferences, many of which were published under the auspices of Godiva Music.

Active

He remained active to the end, playing with the West Midlands Police Band, Meridian Dance Orchestra and the Co-op Orchestra, often not knowing in advance what he would be playing, be it brass, woodwind or even double bass.

He was also well known for his charity fund-raising in Coventry and the surrounding area, raising thousands of pounds for Cancer Research as he went out collecting in a bright pink dress and bushy beard!