North Region Musicians perform at Buckingham Palace and RIAT
2009-08-13
Three North Region cadets have been hitting the high notes with the National Band of the Air Training Corps. ICFS Simon Holloway (18) , 2008 (Bawtry) Sqn, South & West York’s Wing, playing Euphonium has been a member of the band for nearly 5 years and CFS David Murray (17) , 361 (Gateshead) Sqn, Durham and Northumberland Wing, playing Tuba has been a member of the band for 2 years along with Sax player CFS Mark Napper from 404 (Morpeth) Squadron, Durham & Northumberland Wing
The National Band of the Air Training Corps has, for the last 10 years produced a fine performance of musicianship at their annualc Camp in February, hosted at RAF Cranwell. However, this year, they were employed to far more prestigious settings, the gardens of Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden party for YOU London; and then RAF Fairford for a performance at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
In July 2009, the Band stayed at Fort Blockhouse in Portsmouth for the week and they were subject to a gruelling programme of Music Practice, as well as visits to local attractions. The members of the band enjoyed every minute of their stay at Gosport and all of their hard Work culminated in playing at Buckingham Palace for HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and had the great honour of playing the Royal Salute, which did not go to any of the other bands playing at the party, but fell to the National Band to play it for the entrance of Royalty.
The National Anthem was practiced over and over again, and recorded several times to get it perfect to send to HRHs secretary to hear. The CACWO (Commandant Air Cadets Warrant Officer), WO Mansfield, who was the Camp WO enforced good discipline and rather enjoyed himself the whole week through, listening to the band and how they progressed to the concert.
So, after 3 days of solid practice, the Band climbed onto a coach in matching Band Polo Shirts and headed North, to London. However, first a quick stop needed to be made at RAF Uxbridge Central Band Rooms for a change of dress. After just 10 minutes at Uxbridge the band was off again to London, where they were to assemble at Wellington Barracks, just down from the Palace. After being security checked, the band entered Buckingham Palace Gardens to set up. Much to their amusement, two band members accidentally broke the wheels of the Timpani Drums and had to drag it across the lawn. (Many amazed statements were made regarding the fact that they managed to gouge 2 large lines out of the lawn at Buckingham Palace.!!!)
The selection of Music for the band was very good, it included The Blue and The Grey, Aces High, Last of the Summer Wine, Westminster Waltz and Grand March from Aida. Sadly for the Air Commodore, they did not play Sing Sing Sing, his favourite from the February Camp. But by far the most exciting addition to the programme was an Improvised version of Carnival de Paris, from the 1998 FIFA Tournament. This involved 4 drummers, 2 Trumpeters, 1 Tuba and 1 Euphonium. Onlookers could not help moving to the catchy music. This addition was not confirmed to the players until two days before when the Bands Conductor, Sqn Ldr Singleton, happened to hear them playing it during a break time. After playing their pieces, the band was free to roam the garden and listen to the other bands and drink tea and eat Cucumber sandwiches.
After speaking with the Royal Aid, a few of the band members were able to get HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to speak to the whole band. This was a rather great achievement for everyone. I think the HQAC Music Staff should be immensely proud that they were able to progress the band from one concert per year at RAF Cranwell, to a Concert at Buckingham Palace, RIAT and more events lined up for the coming months.
Exhausted, the band went back to Portsmouth and indulged in some well earned R & R before their Saturday concert at RIAT. No more practice happened until Saturday and they produced a near perfect sound, stunning onlookers (including members of the Central Band).
Saturday allowed the band to walk around the airshow, wearing matching Corporate Polo Shirts showing they were band members. The highlight of the show for many of the band members was to see the Vulcan fly, which produced a deafening roar.
The week would not have been the same without the work of Sqn Ldr Singleton, WO Lawson – Corps Bandmaster,(North Region) Flt Lt Bonhomme, WO Mansfield – CACWO, Sqn Ldr Kay, (North Region) Fg Officer Braines, Fg Officer Crawford,(North Region) Sqn Ldr Chalkin (TG2) and Mrs Theresa Lawson (North Region)
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