ROGER Payne, who has died aged 68, was a former conductor of the City of Oxford Orchestra known for his popular concerts during the summer seasons.

His association with the group began in the late sixties and saw him perform concerts ranging from Bach’s Brandenburg No 2 to first performances of works by John Gardiner and Bryan Kelly.

He directed more than 50 ensemble concerts.

These ranged from Baroque, to Mozart and Stravinsky, as well as Walton’s Façade.

Mr Payne was a self-confessed Strauss addict and inaugurated and conducted the orchestra’s traditional Viennese New Year concert for 35 years, with the first held in 1974.

He only ever missed one, in 2003, due to a heart attack. At the time he was reportedly sitting in his hospital bed looking at his watch, more concerned about when the concert would be starting.

In 1998, he became the orchestra’s artistic director, a post he held for 11 years despite moving to Newcastle for his wife Sandra’s job.

Fellow orchestra member Lindsay Sandison said: “His vast musical knowledge and invaluable help with programme planning produced some of the best and most interesting concerts the orchestra had ever done, and he contributed greatly to its success.

“Roger was a larger-than-life character and everyone has a funny story about him.

“He will be missed by many.”

Roger Payne was born in Sussex in 1947.

He taught himself the trumpet and by the age of 17 had graduated from the village band to the Guildhall School of Music, London, where he studied trumpet, composition and conducting.

He then pursued an orchestral career, becoming an expert on the music of Haydn and Mozart as well as finding time to compose, arrange, and conduct and performing a range of operetta.

Mr Payne suffered from poor health over the last few years and died peacefully in his sleep on June 27.

He is survived by his wife Sandra, 65, children Roger, 29, and Andrew, 24, and sister Valerie Easton, 64.

His funeral is taking place on July 30 at Whitley Bay crematorium in Newcastle.