That's his way of describing Lavenham Sinfonia – one of Suffolk's leading orchestras which stretches from 30 to 60 musicians depending on what it is playing.

But as the last notes of Schubert's Great C Major Symphony fade away in Lavenham Church on Sunday, it will signal the end of an era for the county's classical music scene.

Fred, 79, who co-founded the Sinfonia with its leader Jessie Ridley, is stepping down because of failing health.

The concert this weekend, ending with the Schubert masterpiece which is one of his favourite pieces, will be his last in charge.

He thanked the players, audiences, friends and sponsors for helping to make his time with the orchestra so enjoyable.

"The people I work with are very friendly and helpful. There are a very nice bunch. And we have a very faithful audience," said Fred, who lives in Church Street, Lavenham.

His whole working life has been devoted to music – especially in the theatre, where he worked alongside some of the country's most celebrated actors including Richard Burton and Judi Dench.

Northern Ireland-born Fred started as an organist, winning a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music. He moved into conducting, and taught singing. But it was the theatre which really captured his imagination.

His first "proper job" as he calls it, was as musical director of the Old Vic. "We did all the Shakespeare plays. I was there for about six years and it was a real education for me," he said.

Opera was another of his passions but he was unhappy that expense and inaccessibility put it out of reach of many people.

"As an old socialist I believed it wasn't good that a lot of taxpayers could not see opera, so I started my own company to tour the provinces," he said.

"I'd say working in the theatre was really the happiest time of my life."

His composing talents were also in demand and he wrote music for numerous radio plays.

"Music has always been very, very important to me. I was making a living and doing something I really enjoyed," he said.

Fred moved to Suffolk from London around 30 years ago and almost immediately was asked to help set up a string orchestra in Lavenham.

He and Jessie joined forces and together began to build the Sinfonia's reputation. Soon it was attracting players from a 50-mile radius.

Since then it has brought live performances of some of the greatest classical works to the doorstep of music lovers with regular concerts at Lavenham Church.

"We have done all the Beethoven symphonies, Brahms, Mozart, Mahler, Bruckner – which I love but some of the others don't – and covered a lot of the well-known repertory and few other things as well," said Fred.

"But I have had a series of mini-strokes and feel it is time to retire.