eloisec wrote: On a different note (ho hum) anyone remember the feud that went on between Mr Allwood and the two Davids (Elliott and Clements). Can clearly remember the Band not being PAs favourite thing, think he got miffed at the attention it got in contrast to his choir.
Just happened upon this topic.
I think there was a similar division in my day as well. I'm sure that the then Director of Music, Malcolm McKelvey, held similar feelings towards the Band, particularly as it spawned the Dance/Show/Big Band, and other such unruly offshoots.
The truth is that the Band always was, and probably always will be, the highest-profile manifestation of the school's musical heritage.
The Choir always was of a very high standard, but didn't get out and about as much as the Band, and the Orchestra only practised once a week, so the musicianship and general confidence among its members was generally not as high as that of the Band (sorry, assorted fiddlers, viola players etc.).
As a trombonist, I had as much music as I could ever want.
My weekly schedule was usually something like this:
Monday lunchtime - Band parade
Monday evening - Orchestra
Tuesday evening - Band practise
Wednesday lunctime - Band parade
Wednesday evening - Horsham Orchestra
Thursday lunchtime - Band parade
Thusday evening - Dance band
Friday evening - St. Louis Jazz Band
Saturday lunchtime - Band parade
Sunday morning - Band practise
This of course does not take into account any private practise sessions, section rehearsals, brass groups and other such activities.
Perhaps any string players out there could tell us what other musical activities were available to them when the Orchestra wasn't having its weekly scrape?