Tributes have paid to a ‘great’ and ‘loving’ dad, grandad and husband - with a charity concert taking place in his memory this month.

Martin Schellenberg was a musician who also taught for many years and led groups in the Bridport and Beaminster areas.

Sadly, he died while playing the organ at choir practice at St Mary's Church, Beaminster.

He was 62 when he died in July, the cause of death being an aortic aneurysm.

His wife Alexandra has now arranged a concert with funds going to a trust set up in Mr Schellenberg's name, which supports young musicians who cannot finance their further studies.

Mrs Schellenberg said: “He was great, a loving man full of life and very positive. He was always a glass half full person.

“He loved his music and was a musician all his life. Martin could engage with anyone between two and 102 and make them feel special.

“He had a legacy and an awful lot to give, so we continue that work.”

Mr Schellenberg 'lived and breathed music' having started playing the piano aged four and by the age of seven had joined his first choir.

At 13 he was a choir master and in later life was an organist, conductor and teacher - including for 16 years as a director of music at Abberley Hall Prep School in Worcestershire.

Former pupils from there have given ‘amazing tributes showing he was an inspirational teacher,’ Mrs Schellenberg said.

She added: “Plenty of people are missing him already, especially his eight grandchildren.”

Mr Schellenberg originally lived in Dorset having worked at Christchurch Priory before moving to Worcestershire for 16 years.

Dorset Echo: Martin Schellenberg. Picture: Alex Schellenberg

When he retired in 2018 he returned to the south west, moving to Somerset. He became director of music at both St Mary’s Church in Beaminster and the Cantamus choir of Bridport in his spare time.

The memorial concert will be held at St Mary’s Church in Beaminster on Saturday, December 18 starting at 4pm. It will feature Malcolm Archer (organ), Winston Leese (trumpet) and festive readings from Jan Wyld.

Neither the church or those performing are charging a fee so every penny that is raised goes to The Martin Schellenberg Music Trust.

Tickets cost £10, which includes a mulled wine and mince pie which will be served after the performance, and can be purchased from the Yarn Barton Community Centre, Beaminster or by calling 01308 862715.

Mrs Schellenberg says Mr Schellenberg ‘still had so much more to give and so this will be a fitting legacy to his memory’.