The 2000 Volunteer Band Festival

by
Gordon Langford

When my wife and I were invited by Captain Andy Henderson to attend the Royal Naval Volunteer Band Festival on 29 July, 2000, we had no idea just what a varied feast of music-making we were to enjoy. As the day progressed, I became more and more relieved that I had not been asked to join the panel of adjudicators.

Fate was kind in that we were granted a sunny morning for the marching displays and kept the very heavy rain for the afternoon when we were all in the Concert Hall. Imagine if it had been the other way round! The high level of enthusiasm and commitment was evident from the very beginning of these marching displays, and the rhythmic complexities that the various corps of drums offered was quite outstanding. I believe that even the legendary jazz-drummers of our age (Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and the like) would have been impressed. And I am still trying to work out where some of the brass players were able to secrete their plungers for 'Tuxedo Junction'. As a one-time trombone player in an army band I always had two main worries, (i) what if the march-cards slipped from oneÕs grasp when changing over and (ii) what to do with my slide during counter-marching. Even with the complex manoeuvres to be seen that particular morningÕs counter-marching seemed to pose no real problems, and I think I witnessed only one dropped march-card.

The afternoon proved no less absorbing - at least for those of us lucky enough to be sitting in a dry, comfortable theatre. We were treated to a varied programme of solos and band numbers revealing a high degree of musicianship. There was, I believe, only one duplicated item, but the arrangement of 'Pastime With Good Company' is so good that it deserves a second hearing. A special word of thanks to be spoken to the RN Pipers' Association who entertained us during the nail-biting wait for the results. I am grateful for having it made known to me just how important the work of the Volunteer Bands is. I was also pleased to hear it said that the competitive element of today's events should be kept in perspective. Basically, we all went to HMS Collingwood to enjoy music and spectacle, and that we all - I am sure - most certainly did.