the public ranging from ‘Brilliant’ to ‘Magnificent’. One reported he was ex Royal Marines.
Several people said that they wished the display had lasted longer – something to work towards if asked to perform again!
Well done to all - Jack Griffiths, Sam Bailey, Caitlin Ashley, Shannon Ashley, (Snare) Brendan Gardner (Tenor). Every reason to feel very proud of this achievement!
A BIG THANK YOU to our Band Master, who left us for major life saving heart surgery in January, but did make the show just th
On Sunday 29 January 2011, Tewkesbury Sea Cadets Corps of Drums performed at The Roses Theatre in the Mayor Charities’ Show. Although they have been in the public eye on formal parades this was a ‘first ever’ stage show for them. TS Otter C of D has also performed at the Unit’s Trafalgar Night dinner prior to the sit down meal in 2010 and 2011 in front of nearly 100 guests including VIP’s staff and spouses and parents.
The six members had first been viewed by John Benns, who was to be the show Master of Ceremonies, when he came to visit the unit on a band practise night with several ‘hands’ (lighting, stage manager and sound). They were very complimentary when they saw the cadets go through their drum display routines, and said that they wanted us to open the show. It was all pretty exciting! Practice nights continued in earnest under the eye of the Band Master.
We arrived at the Roses at 1100 hours, then had to take part in Technical and Dress rehearsals which went without a hitch. There was quite a lot of ‘hanging around’ but the drummers had plenty to keep themselves occupied; fitting their drum traces, final cleaning of boots and drums and donning their uniforms. The latter took up to an hour and a half to complete for all! Many thanks to Mr Gardner in helping with those stiff anklets!
The Corps of Drums entered from stage left ....1930 hours. (a bit nervous... but who wouldn’t be?) to a single drum tap starting from behind stage, which grew in volume as each one slowly joined in. Marching in through a ‘smokey’ (dry ice) swirling mist, under dimmed lights, they formed up across the stage, then turned to face the audience. As we started our performance, the overhead lights disappeared leaving only ultraviolet lamps picking up white caps, shirt fronts, gloves, belts, slings and traces hanging off the drums. ‘Chopsticks‘ was a medley of flashing synchronised white gloves with clicks, drumming, and meeting sticks to each side.
The Corps of Drums moved in perfect time into a ‘V’ formation (point to the audience); then beat static drum displays consisting of three part drum beatings with stick drill movements. The performance finished with a familiar single ‘da da di da da .. (ALL) da da! TS Otter Corps of Drums then marched off to Black Bear.
The audience were still clapping long after they had stopped playing and left stage!
The Bandmaster, Squadron Leader Rod Gurney RAF VR(T) who was in the audience, received many good comments from members of ree weeks post op!
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