November saw Musicians from the Band of the RAF Regiment performing concerts at various venues around London. On 22 November the Symphonic Brass group, made up from players from both Central and Regiment bands, gave a concert at Regent Hall on Oxford Street. This concert was conducted by the Principal Trombonist of the Royal Opera House, Eric Crees. The performance featured three of Eric’s highly demanding arrangements; Fantasia and Fugue in G minor by J.S Bach, Prelude and Fugue on B.A.C.H by Franz Liszt, and Billy the Kid by Aaron Copland. Although a challenging program, the concert was a great success, and the Band hope to work with Eric again in the future.
A week later on 28 November, the Band was back in London for the Friends of St Clement Danes annual concert. The performance featured the full concert band under the baton of Director of Music Flight Lieutenant Tom Rodda, in conjunction with the Choir from St Clement Danes Church and their Musical Director Simon Over. Highlights from the concert included a beautiful solo oboe rendition of Send in the Clowns played by Corporal Hannah Read, and Rutter’s Gloria performed by the Brass and Percussion sections alongside the St Clement Danes choir.
The evening at St Clement Danes marked the last concert for two of our colleagues, Sergeant Ruth Sidney and Corporal James Lawrence. These individuals will be missed greatly for both their personalities and their high caliber of musicianship. We wish them well with all their future plans.
Written by Senior Aircraftman James Richardson
Photos credit Richard Schunemann
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Please take a look at our Friends of RAF Music scheme.
