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Military Bands

THoward34@xxxxxxx wrote:

> In a message dated 31/03/99 08:10:11 GMT Daylight Time, colin.randle@xxxxxxxxx
> writes:
>
> << You obviously have some army experience as a musician.  Tell us more -
> please. >>
>
> Very little to tell. I suppose I must accept that I am now joining the ranks
> of the "wrinlkies" (only externally!!).

Now then Ted - don't gimme that - I'll bet you're younger than me.  Keep taking
the Cliff Richard Pills!

>  For the past ten years I conducted
> Cosham Concert Brass in Portsmouth. I took them from the fourth section to the
> second section (best achievemnt 6th place at the Finals with  'Dancing in the
> Park). However I left them last November after I grew somewhat disillusioned
> with the politics of bands and have taken a bit of a sabbatical.

Do I know how you feel with this sentiment.  Some of my most exciting moments in
banding have come with the stick in my hand - there is no better feeling than
winning a contest as a bandsman - unless you happen to be the conductor  -  those
moments are sublime and stick in the memory forever.  Unfortunately, as we know,
conducting a band involves a lot more than wagging the stick, and it can be very
waring.

> Prior to that
> my military service consisted of nine years with the Royal Anglian Regiment
> followed by 12 years with the band of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
> Highlights during my military service must include visiting Brazil and the
> Seychelles and the early broadcasts with the Sandhurst band on Radio 3's
> Bandstand.
>
> Ted Howard
>

Did you ever get to play on any of the famous bandstands i.e.. Bournemouth,
Eastbourne, Folkstone or Princess Street Garden in Edinburgh.  Many years ago
Coventry Band had a weeks engagement on the bandstand at Folkstone, our MD at the
time was the ex Faireys conductor Kenneth Dennison.  It was gorgeous - the sun
shone, the crowds gathered, the sea was balmy, I played golf at Hythe Golf Club,
things couldn't have been better.  On the second day, and abscess erupted in my
wife's ear, we were turned away with an aspirin from Canterbury hospital with the
words, "....Go home to your own doctor".  That evening she got worse and I had to
tell the band I had to leave for home.  We traveled through the night in our
little Morris Marina, got home feeling awful, went to the local hospital in
Coventry and had to force our way past a real jobsworth harridan on reception to
see a specialist ear nose and throat guy.  After taking a look in her ear, in
silence, interrupted by occasional "Um's " and  "I see's" as though he was talking
to himself, he looked up and declared " ..I've got surgery this afternoon...I'll
admit you and fix it today".  And to our great relief, he did.  There are some
things that come even before banding!  Some day, we'll go back and resume out
holiday, and maybe listen to the band!

Only two years ago, we were again on holiday this time in Eastbourne.  As you are
probably aware, they have a fantastic bandstand there right on the sea front.
Thankfully - the most memorable incident of this holiday was the lousy weather -
it thrashed it down all week.  But, the band played on.  It did abate on the
wednesday evening, and they played in the Redoubt Fortress, a good concert too
finishing with the inevitable 1812 and of course a firework display.  Fantastic
showstopper it was too.

When I was a schoolboy Tenor Horn player we had a weeks engagement on the
bandstand in Princess Street Gardens, you must know it - what a setting, on top of
the granite cliffs the world renowned Castle, (where one evening we went to see
the Tattoo), and at the top of the embankment the famous Princess Street down
which we watched one afternoon in awe and admiration as a full  Pipe band went
marching by dressed in their full regalia.  What a sight - what a sound.  Memories
not to be forgotten.

Anyway - enough of this wrinklies claptrap - if I can throw my cap into the ring
again - so can you.

Tell us more,

Colin Randle.



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