RN Volunteer Band Britannia Royal Naval College

Maj Phil Watson RM (Rtd)

Those who are blessed with good memory, which I am not, may remember our quest mentioned in our previous article for a Tam Tam. Well, success always lurks just around the corner to those who are dedicated, and a Tam Tam was secured from CTCRM Band who were busy elsewhere. I’ll tell you about this later
First on the menu this term was the now buzzing Dart Music Festival. Our principal Alto Saxophonist is a member of the committee; a fact that guarantees us a prime spot on this joyous occasion. This weekend in May is busy for our Band members, many of whom play in smaller ensembles. My Friday became a marathon with Piano Accordion delights followed by the premiere of a new Dart Music Festival anthem sung by the school children, conducted by the composer. A rush up the hill followed where five articulated lorry loads of band gear were squeezed into a white minibus and trundled down to the bandstand, where our packing skills where again deployed in fitting 45 musicians on to a stage designed for 23!

And so to the Tam Tam. Our summer concert became a feat of endurance with some very serious music. Occasionally we come across marmite music, music loved by some and hated by others. The Tam Tam was used to stunning effect in Malcolm Aronld’s Cornish Dances – loved by some, hated by… I cleverly created a musical smokescreen by including such ditties as The Three Bears (Coates), Shostakovich Festive Overture (stunning) and the Finale from Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony (mind blowing). Despite this subterfuge, the Cornish Dances attracted a few comments… loved by some… The horn section loved it!

Most recently some of us packed off to a garden centre to perform as a Big Band, well a middle-sized band for the wedding of one of our percussionists. Despite lack of rehearsal, we managed to rock the place! Congratulations to Andrew and Anna.

Finally; we have a problem! Over the past few weeks we have been growing at an exponential rate, to the extent that the Band Committee (members who come together occasionally to decide things) closed the recruiting door until someone leaves the Band. Honestly, it breaks my heart!
Finally, finally: if you want to keep up to date with our band, take a look at Les’s excellent blog at: http://brncrnvolunteerband.wordpress.com

Click here to enquire about joining the band Email

Last updated 14 December 2011