Tribute to a talented star and incredible mother

The founder member and Musical Director of Oldfallings Players, Annette Beech, sadly passed away very suddenly from a pulmonary haemorrhage just before Christmas.

My memories of lovely Annette are of her being a wonderfully talented, hard working pianist for my home company South Staffs MTC. She was kind with our ensemble members, playing harmony lines over and over again until they knew their music and happy to help our principals alike.

Annette’s son Tom and daughter Katie were keen to tell me more about her.

“My mom was incredible to us both as well as her long-term partner Michael, our Uncle John and a beautiful, caring friend to many,” began Tom.

“Her death was so sudden that my final memory of mom is the concert I played alongside her in on December 16. She took the utmost pride in directing and conducting her fantastic choirs – Singing Your Blues Away, Sounds of Time and Sutton Hill Singers. I had the privilege of accompanying her last concert on the piano,” he said.

Annette started piano lessons aged just five. By the time she was 18, she had achieved grade eight piano, trumpet and cello. Music fast became her career too.

Katie told me: “Mom had a few different day jobs including working with adults with physical and learning difficulties. She also had jobs within the voluntary sector council and more recently, with adult education services teaching ESOL and other subjects. Mom was such an inspiring teacher, be it in music or teaching English. Everything was always completed with the upmost pride and commitment.”

Katie continued: “Over the last two years, Mom had spent many loving hours teaching singing in Telford, initially with Learn Telford and also forming several private choirs, encouraging wellbeing through singing and music. This was mom’s true calling. She loved meeting the inspiring adults and building community groups up to perform locally. It has been really bought to my attention since she passed away, the difference that she made to the lives of people in all her groups and classes. “

It has been 42 years since Annette started Oldfallings Players.

Tom told me: “Mom was integral to the development and evolution of the company for the majority of those years. In fact, she only just announced her retirement in December at the annual carol concert. She musically directed the vast majority of the performances Oldfallings Players performed over the years, but if she didn’t, she’d always be a part of the production, be it front of house or serving refreshments.”

He continued: “In the early years of the group, she’d also perform roles within the show as well. The group do three shows annually; one main scale production, a cabaret and the Christmas carol concert. This format that mom tried and tested, quickly became the standard throughout all am dram groups across the region.”

“Throughout her career mom played in rehearsal and directed music for Muscom and South Staffs Musical Theatre Company and was involved in a plethora of shows over the years,” Tom continued. “She also played many lead roles in shows including Annie Get Your Gun, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma, Annie and Godspell.”

Tom finished by saying: “Mom’s legacy is definitely her two wonderful grandchildren, Jacob and Isabelle who loved what she did and of course her choirs, who will I am sure continue to spread her love and joy of choral music.”

Fellow Oldfallings Players’ member, Kathryn Fisher said: “I first met Annette when I went to see my friend Helen in a production of Annie in 1988. Her fantastic performance as Miss Hannigan inspired me to want to have a go at treading the boards, although as a shy 18-year-old I never thought I would find myself in a leading role, but as long as I could sing some of the great songs from the shows, I was happy.”

“I have enjoyed many years with Oldfallings Players, rarely missing a cabaret, show or a concert, but Christmas has always been my favourite, as it was always directed by Annette,” said Kathryn. “I was always in awe of Annette, both on and off the stage. Her ability to sing any line of a piece of music, or sitting down at the piano and play any tune was amazing. Only at the end of our last Christmas concert I said to her, ‘I wish I had learned to play the piano but I am too old to learn now’, and Annette replied, ‘You’re never too old’ so I guess I should give it a go in her memory!”

Kathryn concluded: “Both Annette and Oldfallings Players have special place in my heart. Annette, thank you for the music, the love and laughs! You will be sorely missed.”

Another friend, Samantha Cope, said: “I have known Annette for sixteen years. She was so passionate about what she did. She was a wonderful friend who would always be there with advice and over the years she gave me and many others the confidence to get on stage and push ourselves to be the best we could.”

Annette’s funeral will take place at 12.30pm on January 23 at Oldfallings URC and then Bushbury Crematorium at 1.30pm. Tom concluded by asking: “If anyone has any stories, serious or funny, anecdotes or memories about my mom that you would be happy to share, we would love to hear them and use them at her service.” As is the way of the world these days, you can visit Tom Beech’s Facebook page or message him directly. So, all that remains to be said is somewhere up there, I am sure Annette is conducting a heavenly choir of angels. We miss you Annette, but thank you for sharing your talent with us all.