Roger Tapping was one of the most eminent musicians to have grown up in Hampshire and the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra was an important part of his early years. He was one of the youngest ever leaders of the orchestra before moving over to lead the viola section. After studying music at Peterhouse, Cambridge, he joined the English Chamber Orchestra and was a founder member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He joined the Allegri Quartet followed by the Takacs Quartet and finally the Juilliard Quartet. He was an inspirational musician and much loved teacher but sadly died in January 2022 at the age of 61.
In Roger’s memory, his family and friends, in conjunction with the Friends of HCYO, have dedicated time and energy to support a fundraising campaign to buy a fine viola which will be owned by the HCYO and loaned to promising young viola players in future generations of the HCYO viola section.
The Friends of HCYO would like to thank everyone for their generosity in donating to this special fundraising campaign in loving memory of Roger. The response has been tremendous and the Friends of HCYO are pleased to report that, when including proceeds raised separately from July’s fundraising concert, kindly hosted by the Cranbourne Farm Concert Society, the goal has been smashed, enabling them to move forward with sourcing a suitable instrument.