Abba meets Sousa!
Scarlet and gold was the sight that greeted us in the Sports Hall on Wednesday afternoon, when Howell’s School hosted the Band of the Welsh Guards. Based at Wellington Barracks in London, just across the road from Buckingham Palace, the band performs at state and ceremonial events throughout the country and abroad. Under the baton of their Bandmaster, WO1 Richard Burton, the band played a wide variety of music ranging from the foot-tapping opening march, Stars and Stripes by JP Sousa, to a medley of music from Pirates of the Caribbean. Students from Howell’s, joined by students from Brecon and Cowbridge, were invited to play alongside the band during a lunchtime workshop and rehearsal during which the students were mentored by one of the army musicians playing the same instrument. The students then had the privilege (and challenge!) of playing with the band during the hour long concert to some 350 pupils, students and staff. The audience had a fantastic time listening, clapping, singing along and even dancing to familiar tunes from Abba and a rocking rendition of Uptown Funk. The band also played a number of pieces which involved soloists. There were solos from a trombonist, a clarinettist, a vibraphone player, a euphonium player and even a cornet player playing a chair! Rarely has the Post Horn Gallop been played on teapot, a walking crutch and a chair! Congratulations must go to our students, who played alongside and augmented the Welsh Guards Band to some 50 players! A truly memorable event!