Music and picnics enjoyed in Lincoln Castle grounds...no wonder it’s called Midsummer Magic. B&H provide technical services for Chris Moreno Ltd. who organises the two weekends each year. A full PA system was supplied to reach audiences of 4000, with sound spill minimised to ensure that residents outside the castle walls were not affected. Working closely with the Environmental Health Offices, B&H upheld the required high standards.

Chris Moreno Consultant Robin Rushton notes, “It’s a pleasure to work with B&H because of their professionalism. The artists are always happy and relaxed knowing that they’re getting professional quality sound. It makes all the difference to the success of the performance.”

This year headliners included Jools Holland and the legendary Status Quo. For the first time, nearby Lincoln Cathedral bells rang out simultaneously with the castle cannons being fired for the 1812 Overture…a sound that gave magic to the dreamy midsummer night.

Surfleet Park in Spalding was the backdrop for a musical and fireworks spectacular in aid of two charities, The Spalding Hospice Foundation and ‘Hope and Homes for Children’. B&H Sound provided technical support.

The programme included the Polka Dot Youth Theatre, the Band of the Royal Air Force College and the local choir Cantemus. A full outdoor PA system used delay speakers, the challenge being to cater for the contrasting performances ranging from acapella singing to large band music.

Committee member Chris Chew said, “We really appreciate B&H Sound Services’ professional approach and expertise. They are very skilled in bringing out the best in each performance for the benefit of the audience.” Run entirely by a voluntary committee, Music in the Park raised more than £10,000 – a spectacular achievement for a locally organised charitable event.

A Christian family camp attended by thousands of enthusiastic participants, Faith 06 was supported technically by B&H Sound Services. Based at the East of England showground it presented its own unique challenges with the main venue being a large “sheep shed”.

B&H provided PA, lighting, video projection and recording services. The main emphasis on the technical side was a special recording/DVD shoot. During the event audio feeds were required for live radio and web cast mixes, 48 track RADAR for CD/DVD recording plus separate individual audio and video recordings. There was also a live stereo mix to accompany the video footage due for broadcast on TV this autumn.

The live CD and DVD’s were very well received – a harmoniously successful result from sheep shed beginnings.

Pop culture in Disney USA had its source at The Old School Studio in Peterborough recently when B&H recorded voice-overs of Star Wars actor Warwick Davis. It was unique because the session was co-ordinated by a producer in America who was listening over the ‘phone and giving comments to Warwick in the studio. Everyone was pleased with the excellent results which now form part of the Star Wars presentations at Disney USA on selected weekends.

That was the concept for the new building of St. Luke’s Church in Watford, to harmonise with the neighbourhood yet be recognisably distinctive as a church. B&H Sound Services provided both audio and visual systems which met all the technical needs without being conspicuous.

Sound and video projection systems were installed within the main church as well as additional monitors in the adjacent two-storey complex. Equipment included Bose speakers, an Allen & Heath mixing desk and Hitachi video projectors controlled by a Kramer switcher/scaler.

Vicar John Kiddle said, “We knew the acoustics in the building would be difficult due to its design. We appreciated B&H’s professionalism in creating a sound system which works admirably with the acoustics yet is unobtrusive. The AV system enables us to use Powerpoint and DVD clips in a way that is transforming our services and helping us expand our outreach in the community.”

Children & Animals

Celebrities insist: Never work with children and animals! But they obviously missed out on the lively entertainment B&H experienced when working with 150 children at Whipsnade Zoo. Nuance Music headed the wide ranging music programme with schoolchildren joining professionals in what was the culmination of months of workshops.

B&H provided a full sound system including separate Front of House and Monitor desks and powered Meyer main speakers and delays to ensure full coverage.

Nuance Director Judith Webster commented, “During such a complex performance, which involves a large number of young people from a wide range of ages and abilities, the technical requirements can be a total nightmare. It was therefore an absolute joy, not to mention a huge relief, to work with the team from B&H who were unflappable, unfailingly accommodating, and unphased by the diverse and last minute requirements. They were helpful to both children and professional musicians, treating them all with the same courtesy and ensuring the show went with a bang.”

‘Meeting Needs and Changing Lives’ brought together 250 charity supporters from across the UK and overseas for the Samaritan’s Purse Relief Fund annual conference. B&H Sound Services provided PA, video and lighting for the weekend event at the Park Inn, Northampton.

The diverse programme included presentations incorporating Powerpoint, video, DVD material and news clips during the day and live music in the evenings.

Executive Assistant David Sandford of Samaritan’s Purse said, “We were very pleased with the quality and professionalism of the sound and the audio-visual elements that B&H provided, and we also very much appreciated their flexibility during both the planning and running of the event. Their hard work ensured that everything ran smoothly.”

B&H were pleased to have the opportunity of meeting all the technical needs of those dedicated to changing lives.

‘Going to the highest bidder’ meant good news for everybody during Crusaid’s charity art auction held at the Royal College of Art, with proceeds going to help HIV/AIDS sufferers in the UK and Africa. B&H Sound Services provided PA, plasma screens and lighting for the event.

A gala dinner opened the evening with the donated items including paintings and sculptures being exhibited around the impressive gallery. The auction itself proved dynamic as bidders vied for the outstanding art objects.

B&H kept all the technical equipment very low profile with cable runs being discreetly taped to the white marble floor, allowing the focus to be on the art work itself.

Crusaid Director Dan Solley summed up, “The B&H team really were fantastic. Nothing was too much of a problem no matter how many times I changed my mind on the positioning of lights and plasma screens. The event was a great success, thanks to B&H Sound Services.”