I used to be
player manager of the world renowned Wallace Collection who’s leader John
Wallace is now the Principle of The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In the
1990’s the Wallace Brass Ensemble were undertaking lots of work with the
British Council playing concerts and taking workshops and master-classes in
many countries.
We had visited
South Africa on a couple of occasions, working in Durban, Soweto, Pretoria,
Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The British
Council knew about my Military background and approached me with an idea. They
wanted me to carry out a solo visit to Cape Town; I grabbed the opportunity
with both hands. I was to go to Cape Town for one week then John Wallace would
follow on to over see the Cape Town Brass Congress for four days.
Plans were made
and I was put in a five star hotel and was to be looked after by a Jack Simpson
who was a Staff Sergeant of the South African Staff Band. When Jack met me at
the airport he handed me my itinerary and showed me to my car. Wow what a
schedule I couldn't believe my eyes they had managed to pack in master-classes,
recitals, radio interviews, coaching and conducting The South African Staff
Band, The Royal Navy Staff Band and the Salvation Army Band plus lectures at
the Cape Town University, local schools, bands and Townships. You name it, it
was on there. I was going to have to use everything I had learned to get
through this week.
It was a very
hectic week but very enjoyable, I don’t think I slept with all the preparation
needed.
My army background
came in very useful for the Army and Navy Bands and they were very interested
in the history of my army band The Royal Artillery. Both bands played at a very
high standard and it was a privilege to conduct them. I also had the pleasure
to conduct The Salvation Army Band too and after I played “Carnival of Venice
with Variations” for them which went down very well – I was just happy to get
through it.
The local schools
were very interesting but so behind and the lack of resources made things
difficult they had to share instruments which were in a terrible state although
everyone had a good time and the Township Bands were great fun.
I talked at length
with Jack and we put together a draft proposal to try and get local business to
sponsor A South African Staff Band Music Academy for the under privileged kids
hopefully it would help change the image of the army too. We hoped to educate
children from surrounding areas to have access to music tuition through small
Satellite Community Teaching Centres. Jack was really up for the changes we had
a great week and he really looked after me.
When John Wallace
arrived he asked me how it went I told casually, yeah it was ok, as if I had
been doing this sort of thing all my life. I can tell you the next four days
with John seemed a doddle in comparison.
Teaching one of
the tiny community bands in Cape Town.
