Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Is the Band better than it has been? Have it's standards gone down? What about the Bandmaster? Is Terry Whittingham the best we've ever had?

On a personal note, the Grecians of 1998-2005 were some of the best musicians we've ever had - James Maddren, Amanda Mazur, Maritin Batchelar, Sam Edgington and Cat Williams amongst others.

Unfortunately never heard the band so can't comment.
Which instrument did you play?

Sorry, yes.

I'm an alto saxophonist. Not the best in Band - that's a GE, who's been playing for 7 years! I've been playing for either three or four years - I can't remember which!

What's your opinion of the band? Have they improved since your time there?

The band did sound pretty good at the Retreat, and also on Old Blues Day.

I think (not meaning to boast) that we were pretty good in 1978, mainly because a lot of senior instrumentalists stayed on to do scholarships.

However, it seems that there's a lot more specialist instrumental teaching going on these days. For instance, after my first year ALL the brass teaching was done by the assistant bandmaster, David Clements. He was a lovely bloke and knew his music, but he was a French Horn player, so wasn't really in a position to advise on the subtleties of technique of the trombone, trumpet etc.

The Bandmaster in my first year was Mike Hutton (who WAS a trombonist and started me off on the instrument) followed by Dave Elliott, who was a really top bloke.

D.E. started the Dance Band (I was in the first line-up), now known as the Show Band or Big Band, I think.

So, I would think that the overall standard would be higher now.

I think this is going to be a rather partisan argument.

To my mind the best bandmaster by far was David Elliot, The best band in my time contained the likes of Rick Slater, Jez Goodwin, Joe Sillett, Duncan Batchelor (and me of course). Think the ideal year would have been around 1989.

I am also completely biased to the Band when David Elliott was conductor. Our year (left 1994) was known to be one of the strongest for music ... or so it was said at the time.

David Elliott was meant to be a bit of a legend wasn't he...

What I have noticed is that the discipline of the band (their marching / formations etc) have got better under Terry W.

Discipline was terrible after David Elliott retired as we had Jerry Martin, although thankfully David Elliott and Andy Walker managed to get us into shape for Retreat.

Then Michael Davison came along, seemed a good bloke, but not for discipline which was needed in a marching band. On the rare occasions I've seen the band under Terry Whittingham's leadership I've been encouraged by its standard.

Plum ... David Elliott was a legend, and we shouldn't forget the other half of the pair - David Clements.

Great Plum wrote:David Elliott was meant to be a bit of a legend wasn't he...

Certainly was!

Always used to throw a party for leavers from the band at his house in Horsham.

He brewed his own beer, and there was always plenty of it.

eloisec wrote:Discipline was terrible after David Elliott retired as we had Jerry Martin, although thankfully David Elliott and Andy Walker managed to get us into shape for Retreat.

Then Michael Davison came along, seemed a good bloke, but not for discipline which was needed in a marching band. On the rare occasions I've seen the band under Terry Whittingham's leadership I've been encouraged by its standard.

Plum ... David Elliott was a legend, and we shouldn't forget the other half of the pair - David Clements.

Was David Clements still known as 'Crater-head' in your day?

No! Think we just called him 'Clem', which he hated.

Used to smoke his pipe everywhere, tobacco smoke down the cloisters. Taught me Grade 5 theory, which was a laugh. Still remember the weird rhymes he had for keys/scales etc.

Very sad day when the two Davids retired.

Yes, I did Grade 5 theory with him as well - can't remember any rhymes, though.

I presume that his arrangement of 'Votum' as a march is still in use.

Green Dragons Always Eat Bags (of) Fish (and) Chips - for sharps

Fresh Bread Eaten After Dinner Gives Collywobbles - for flats

Sounds like Crater-head to me!