In 2009 the Epworth Choir were delighted to announce that Internationally Acclaimed Composer/Musician, Les Reed OBE FCL (London) accepted the choir’s invitation to become its very first Patron.

Following the sad death of the choir’s Founder and Life President, Walter Deakin in 2008, the choir decided that it wished to have a Patron. Who better to invite to fill this role but Les Reed who was born in Woking, a friend of Walter Deakin for over sixty years and has been associated with the Epworth Choir since the early 1970’s.

Les Reed OBE FCL, is the composer behind such pop standards as ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Delilah’, ‘The Last Waltz’, ‘There’s a Kind of Hush’, ‘Les Bicyclettes de Belsize’, ‘Love is All’, ‘Tell Me When’, and many other well known songs sung by some of the greatest recording artists of the last forty years, including The Carpenters; Tom Jones; Engelbert; Elvis Presley; Marvin Gaye, Bing Crosby and Otis Redding. Les’ film scoring work is comprehensive and his conducting skills have taken him all over the world to work with, amongst others, David Bowie; Johnnie Mathis; Roy Orbison; Brook Benton and Sammy Davis Jnr. The Liverpool Philharmonic; The Halle Orchestra; The London Philharmonic Orchestra; The Berlin State Orchestra and The Dutch Metropole Orchestra have all performed his classical works. His ‘Niagara Suite’, ‘The Jubilation Suite’ and ‘The Erin Symphony’ have all created much interest amongst classical music lovers.

Photo above: Les Reed with Tom Jones. 

Aside from over 110 Gold and Platinum discs and Grammy Awards, Les has received numerous music accolades, including 11 most prestigious Ivor Novello Awards, and was also very proud to have been awarded The Freedom of the City of London and an OBE in recognition for Services to the British Music Industry. Last year marked the 50th Anniversary of Les Reed’s career in the recording industry. To celebrate this wonderful achievement, The Heritage Foundation hosted a star-studded tribute luncheon to Les at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

On accepting the choir’s invitation to become it’s first Patron, Les Reed wrote:

‘I am most honoured to be asked to take on the position as first patron of the wonderful Epworth Choir. Having been associated with the choir since the early 1970’s, my admiration has never ceased and, to this day, I consider the choir to be one of the finest and most professional in the country. 

Walter Deakin and I knew each other for over sixty years. In the 1970’s, Walter and I became very close friends and worked together on concerts and album recordings with the Epworth Choir. He was one of the finest men I had the privilege of knowing and, in my opinion, was a true saint. Walter will be sadly missed and I sincerely hope that my future association with the choir will help retain the bond we shared. I look forward to my new role as patron of the Epworth Choir.’

Les Reed OBE. FCL. (London)