Mike Fielder

In 1994 the rehearsal venue was changed yet again to its present location at Samuel Cody Specialist Sports College (formally known as Oak Farm School) and in November that year it was the venue for a concert, which coincidentally was also Michael Fielder's last concert as conductor. Michael had started to play the clarinet at the ager of 15 and shortly after joined the army in the R.A.M.C. Band. By the age of 18 he was their solo clarinet, a position he held for 25 years. He played for many orchestras, and after retirement from the army he remained in Farnborough as teacher, player and clarinettist in the Pelly Concert Orchestra. Mike conducted the orchestra from 1982 until that last concert in November 1994. He then stepped down as conductor and joined the woodwinds as Principal Clarinet, where he served until 2006.