Ben Odom (Benjamin William Odom 1953-2019): We are extremely sad to report the passing of Ben and our most sincere condolences are sent to his wife Janet, and Family. Ben is survived by his brothers and sister, his wife Janet, and his children Helen, Juliet, Jonathan, Becky, Jemima and Elliott. He also has two grandchildren, Harry and Clara, plus two more on the way.
A service in memory of Ben was held at St Margaret's Church, Rochester on 11 June 2019. The fact that the church was packed was a testament in itself to how many people Ben's outstanding life has touched and influenced. The
Eulogy, read by Revd Dr Joel Love, told us of a most remarkable life. We learnt that Ben had been a schoolboy chorister and later a choral student at St John's College Cambridge. His recordings with fellow solo chorister Roger Parker are most highly regarded - and still played on BBC Radio 3. One such recording of 'Sanctus' and 'Benedictus' from Benjamin Britten's 'Miss Brevis' was played at this service. Later, as a freelance soloist and choral singer, Ben worked with celebrated choirs such as the Monteverdi Choir and the BBC Singers. As well as performing, Ben was also: an ochestral conductor at Cambridge; an accomplished accompanist; a voice tutor; and Musical Director of the Marlowe Singers in Gravesend, the Tudor Consort in Rochester, Kent, and the
Darent Valley Choir.
We remebered Ben at Skylarks on 25 May, singing 'The Lord's my Shepherd' and 'Abide with Me'. Frank Geoghegan passed on condolences from our Choir Leader Trish Vella-Burrows, who unfortunately couldn't be with us. Frank said "Ben was a lovely man and a talented musician and will be greatly missed by all - please pass on my condolences to Janet and Family." Judith Northwood-Boorman read out a Eulogy that she had written about Ben, and this can be viewed by clicking
HERE
Ben will be so sadly missed by so many and Medway Skylark's condolences are extended once more to Janet and the Family.