THE musical life of an Oxfordshire man who taught music at Oxford University all his life and died in 1996 will be held in Bampton later this year.

Bernard Rose, an organist, choir trainer and choral music composer, was a Fellow of The Queen's College and Magdalen College and died in 1996.

The concert in St Mary's Church, Bampton, will be held from 7pm on Sunday, September 11 to mark what would have been his 100th birthday.

It came about after Mr Rose's middle son Gregory Rose, a composer and conductor himself, attended the Thanksgiving service at Magdalen College of one of his father's choral scholars last year. A number of Mr Rose's ex-pupils were present and agreed a concert would be the best way to celebrate his life.

Eldest son Graham Rose said: "It was truly astonishing: Gregory and I sent out an email setting out our plans, seeking to establish whether it would be supported. We had over 60 people wanting to sing in the choir for a concert.

"We approached the vicar of Bampton, Rev David Lloyd, and he immediately agreed and the date of 11th September 2016 set for the concert.”

Bernard Rose lived with his wife Molly in Bampton from 1946 to 1964, and then again from 1986, and was heavily involved with the church organ rebuilding.

At present the church organ is being refurbished and half the funds collected from the concert will go to its 'Organ Appeal'. The other half will help pay for the chosts of choristers at Magdalen College School. For more information or tickets email rosegrahamb@gmail.com