Big Band Blackpool Tour

4 July 2016

On Friday 24 June, a slightly reduced Stowe Big Band consisting of Sam Lodge (Upper Sixth, Walpole), Alex McQuitty (Upper Sixth, Walpole), Henry McQuitty (Fifth Form, Walpole), Ingrid Galler (Fifth Form, Lyttelton), Lucy Sutherland (Fifth Form, Nugent), Finlay Sutherland (Fifth Form, Grafton), Ollie Bowder (Fourth Form, Grafton), Kien Powell (Fourth Form, Cobham) and Louis Hink (Fourth Form, Walpole) made their way up to Blackpool for a shortened version of the Big Band North of England Tour. Unfortunately, the M6 traffic was not on our side and we arrived with only minutes to spare before our first concert.

Unfazed, the Big Band treated the 1,000+ diners at the Annual Armed Forces Gala Dinner to a polished performance. Whilst this was most definitely our biggest audience to date, the Big Band loved the opportunity to play to such a large and appreciative group. In fact, they were asked to continue their performance for much longer than originally planned. Luckily, their repertoire is extensive so this did not pose any problems. There were excellent solo performances from Finlay on trumpet and singing from Lucy.

After a quick change out of formal dress, we enjoyed a relaxed supper on the beach and were rewarded with the most beautiful sunset. The Stoics took the opportunity to stretch their legs after their long coach journey and there were one or two wet feet by the end of the evening.
The following morning we were welcomed back with open arms by the Friends of Stanley Park to play in their lovely Bandstand. Elaine Smith and Carol Thaw had pulled out all the stops to ensure we had an appreciative audience for our performance and the Big Band sounded incredible. The weather was really kind and as the morning progressed, audience numbers swelled. It was wonderful to see visitors old and young enjoying the music which included numbers such as ‘Putting on the Ritz’ and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’. We ended our performance on a high with a rousing performance of ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’.

A visit to Blackpool would not be complete without stopping off at the Pleasure Beach theme park where Stoics enjoyed a rollercoaster ride or two before the return journey to Stowe. Plans for next year are already well underway and our good friends in Blackpool are hoping to organise a performance in the world famous Tower Ballroom for us. Look out for news on this in the new academic year.

Sarah Searle, Music Administrator