Monday, December 18th 2006
A group from the Royal Marines School of Music visited Mary Rose School pupils on December 18th. The morning’s concert will live on for a long time with both pupils and staff. The standard of playing was very high indeed and Corporal Long’s presentation of each piece was pitched at just the right level for the audience. After performing and playing some Christmas Carols, showing how each brass instrument sounds, the musicians then mingled with the pupils and encouraged them to feel the vibrations of the instruments and experience the effect of valves and slides on the pitch. The responses from our pupils were a sight to behold, particularly from many of have the most severe and complex needs. The musicians were relaxed and very approachable and really communicated well and took the sight of the greasy fingerprints that spread all over their instruments in their stride!
A heartfelt vote of thanks was given to Corporal Carl Long for organising the visit; and to Musicians Rushton, Gore, Hurrell, Botham and Badge for their superb playing and interaction with our pupils. They really were a credit to the Royal Marines Band Service.