No wonder the music was vibrant - it was in aid of the tsunami recovery and, like any time of renewal, there was great vitality. Chris Sheldrick of CS Music organised the concert of jazz, soul, orchestral and big band music. The Bridge with three different rooms in arches under the London Bridge railway station proved a unique recording venue.

B&H Engineer Russell Dawson-Butterworth explains, “We do a lot of location recording for choirs, orchestral and jazz concerts. Once our work was done on location, we transferred everything onto a Pro Tools’ TDM System and mixed it on an Audient ASP8024 console in our own studio facility.”

Chris Sheldrick said, “Russ and the B&H crew handled the challenges of this venue exceptionally well. The task of recording a 65 piece pop orchestra with no sound check is considerable. They’ve produced an absolutely flawless recording!”

Proceeds are being used to build a new school on a Thai island, a bridge toward the way ahead for the tsunami recovery and a fitting result of this unique event.

We all need time and space, and when Creative io and B&H Sound partner together, creative time and space can make a spectacular impression on hundreds of people.

Creative io produced a corporate event at Heythorpe Park with motivational video sequences, a masked ball and breathtaking fireworks. B & H Sound provided full technical services of PA, video, lighting and sets.

Timing was crucial to achieve the full impact of the fireworks with themed music. Creative io Director Gavin Forster noted, “What’s important is that the B&H Sound PA system did full justice to the fireworks, and the result was superb. Co-ordinating the various crews that B&H had working on the event was a logistical feat in itself!”

With very little floor space in the ballroom, sound and lighting equipment had to be flown from trussing. The B&H team offered creative as well as technically sound solutions. The following morning people were still enjoying their time and space by partying until dawn.

When Birmingham based charity Cornerstone held a fundraising 25th anniversary Celebration Concert, their motivation was to continue helping people. The New English Micro Orchestra and the London Community Gospel Choir featured in this sponsored event at the Symphony Hall Birmingham. The concert presented two very different types of music. The first half was classical; the second half was lively Gospel music leading to a rousing sing-along.

B&H Sound were contracted to provide full technical services. They utilised the in-house D&B speaker system, and provided additional fills and full monitor rig. Cornerstone Community Director Sue Allchin notes, “The B&H emphasis on teamwork was really helpful, and they put everything in place that we needed to make the event a complete success.”

Cornerstone used the proceeds to support their work with homeless and other disadvantaged people - a great motivation harmonising with a great musical celebration.

It’s not just the hills that were alive with the sound of music at the Oundle International Festival this July. In addition to the open air venues the churches, theatres and galleries also reverberated with the Sound of Oundle. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the Festival opened to the music of Spanish guitarist Rafael and Friends with Soul of a Gypsy and Bjorn Again at an outdoor Festival Fireworks Concert.

The outdoor celebration at Oundle School presented technical challenges due to its sheer size – the area of two rugby fields! Bjorn Again came across in a lively way to the sell-out crowd of 5000. B&H ensured that sound and lighting were in place so that both music and fireworks could be enjoyed by all.

With up to four events a day, there was a wide variety to choose from throughout the Festival. Executive Director Patricia Ryan notes, “Towards the end of the Festival week there was another sell-out performance, this time from Black Umfolosi at the Stahl Theatre. B&H have worked with us on the Festival for many years, and once again they ensured that every performance from each artist was projected to full effect.”

For those of us who assume time travel is just a movie plot originating in Hollywood, it’s time to re-think. ‘1st Century Answers to 21st Century Questions’ was the theme when B&H Sound provided 21st century expertise for the 2005 London Men’s Convention at the Royal Albert Hall.

B&H Sound Services provided PA and video. In their technical approach, B& H had to be sensitive to the nature of the convention. When the band played music, the gathering of 4,500 men sang along. Event Manager James Burstow said, “We were extremely happy with the sound because B&H got just the right balance. The band sounded great, yet the singing of the delegates came through so that we could really hear each other.”

The B&H crew experienced their own time travel as they were on the road at 4:30 am in order to ensure technical excellence.

‘Best Ever!’ (but then they always say that!)

It was yet another excellent Children’s Ministries Conference in Eastbourne in January 2005. Crowds of children’s workers poured in to attend sessions on a dizzyingly wide range of topics. B&H Sound was once again working at this popular event as1600 delegates attended over 40 seminars and workshops.

Five main stage celebrations added to the lively pace. Packed audiences enjoyed concerts, group music and theatre presentations exploring innovative ways to reach youth through drama. B&H Services provided live band PA for the main hall plus eight seminar PA/AV systems in the other venues.

Phil Parekh, Brand Manager, says, “We come to B&H because they go beyond the call of duty and all at a very competitive price. Whenever we have a need they respond to us, going out of their way to help. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

That is the question! At least, that was the thought when B&H installed video equipment at Saint James Church, Gerrards Cross.

Christoph Lindner, Worship Co-ordinator, explains, “We had several challenges. Firstly there was no obvious location for a big screen to go, and our large pillars could obstruct the view. Secondly, we needed a very flexible signal input system and phased implementation. We have been very pleased with the way B& H co-operated with us throughout the whole process. They came up with unique solutions for unique challenges, and have given us a video system which is just right for our church.”

B&H Installation Co-ordinator Rob Sutton notes, “It’s a very elaborate system where any picture can be sent to any screen within the video system.”

In meeting all the needs for flexibility, B&H ensured that the screens can swing back when not in use – ‘To be seen or not be seen...’