We had been preparing ourselves for this week of recording and knew we would have to keep our sense of humour to get through it. It was to include very long days, many hours of playing and some very tired Trainee Bandies.
Even with this in mind the week started off well with an extra hour in bed as
phys had been cancelled. We were to be at Pompey Band Room for our first day
of recording - Concert Band. Under the direction of CSgt Ken Peers the band
was arranged to produce the best possible sound while recording (he should have
tried putting us a bit further away from the mic's). After a thorough warm-up
and tune and with Major Best ready to begin, we were off. Our programme consisted
of a wide variety of great music, to mention a few there was Mountbatten March,
a selection from West side Story, the Festive Overture and drum static from
'Fortaleza' by our Corp of Drums. One of our highlights though was the great
jazz number 'Sing,Sing,Sing' with outstanding solo performances from Musn Burton
(Trumpet) and Musn Imm(Clarinet) - well done guys!
Tuesday - a different day in a different venue in a different rig up, the orchestral
programme was to be recorded in St Ann's Church on HMS Nelson as the acoustics
were best suited for this event. After a slow start to the morning, having been
delayed setting up, the recording finally got under way. Like the day before
it was long and tiring, however, Musn David's honesty did bring a few smiles
and giggles to some as she, after the 5 second silence at the end of a recording,
confessed to a split note during her solo. Major Best reassured her that the
piece would have to be recorded again anyway, much to her relief, then added
that it was probably a good idea as a few 'colourful' words had slipped as well
after her split note - nice one Laura!
No recording was to be done on Wednesday so we all had a chance to relax and
practise as normal. There was Parade Band in the morning and some stress relief
during RT (Recreational Training) in the afternoon, just enough for the Big
Band to prepare themselves for their recording session the next day.
Thursday was the last day of recording and seemed to carry on without any hitches.
Still in St Ann's Church and under the direction of the famous Don Lusher, the
Big Band started on their programme. Another long day but still the music sounded
great, especially a grand solo by Musn Woolley on his sax, playing 'Against
all Odds' by Phil Collins - it brought a tear to the eye.
No more recording YAY! But… another Friday morning Parade Band session
started the day as we brushed up on our Open Day moves. The rest of the day
was spent practising parts for the Open Day rehearsals that would take place
all of next week and that's when the pressure would really begin. But then again,
only a week till Summer Leave - 'CAN'T WAIT!'