West Bromwich Town Hall - 18th June 2011 - conductor Nigel Boddice

    Around 150 young musicians made their way to the Town Hall in West Bromwich to          undertake a  programme of music with other musicians that they had never met before. Following a brief welcome the first task was to get everyone seated and arrange the      staging to accommodate all of our young players and their equipment. Has everyone got a stand and a copy of the music? Do we need another bass guitar amp on stage? Once sett everyone went of to get their instruments and the day started in ernest. Nigel Boddice quickly got the band into their stride and was impressed from the outset by their concentration and discipline. Clearly many of the youngsters had spent some time looking at the pieces in preparation for the day.

    Some were perhaps a little nervous to begin with; during the first few run throughs of Col Hathi’s March you could barely hear the chanting but it wasn’t long before ‘Hup - 2- -3 -4’ was ringing out loud and clear. During the day the massed band played through the whole programme several times, taking on board each of Nigel’s comments as the styles changed.Amongst the instrumentalists there were some players who were playing in a large ensemble for the first time and they really enjoyed playing alongside more experienced players.

    Later in the afternoon our two choirs arrived and each took their place in the choir stalls alongside the magnificent organ. It was obvious from the first notes sung that we wer going to be in for a treat from both schools!

    At 6 p.m. everything came to a halt and the players and singers took a well earned break as final adjustments to lighting and sound took place.  As the audience began to arrive there was a real air of expectation - those who had been there all day already knew we were going to have great evenings entertainment.

    On the dot at 7p.m. we welcomed the arrival of the Mayor into the now fully packed hall and the concert kicked off with Col Hathi’s March. Nigel welcomed the crowded audienc eand promised them some great music ... and some terrible jokes!

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