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Singing in the Rain
It was not planned that way, of course, but the three day Sandwell Youth Music Festival began with a torrential downpour. In spite of this difficult start, B&H Sound Services worked with Staging Services Ltd to make this outdoor musical event enjoyable for participants and audience alike.
The 60 piece youth orchestra and 500 singers performed orchestral, jazz, rock and dance numbers. The audience of over 3000 people appreciated the full montage of vibrant styles.
Trevor Stephenson-Airey, Managing Director of Staging Services explains, ‘Prior to the event B&H carried out a site survey and specified the equipment needed. With the phenomenal range of music, it really helped to have two different engineers, one who specalised in orchestral music and the other with rock music experience. They were able to advise the different performers as well as expertly mix the sound. Everyone commented how well produced it was.’
The festival is being scheduled again next year knowing that even heavy rain cannot dampen the enthusiasm for this successful event. |
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Promising Release
The most recent release on the Egon label is a recording of cornet and trumpet solos played by Philip Cobb. Philip, who is 19, is studying at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is emerging as a star soloist, having been awarded the prize for the Most Promising Performer in the 2006 Maurice André International Trumpet Competition. This June he was Instrumental Soloist at the Salvation Army Gospel Arts concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The B&H Recording Department recorded selections for this album in two different venues. Those with the Cory Band took place in Aberdare, South Wales and those with organ accompaniment at Fotheringhay Church, Cambridgeshire. Both sessions used the department’s new SADiE LRX2 multitrack recorder which allowed for faster editing and easier rebalancing after the session.
This album is now available from www.worldofbrass.com and it promises to be a varied feast for music lovers.
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Sounds of Freedom
The abolition of the slave trade bicentenary was commemorated in Peterborough Cathedral Square on Sunday 25th March with an inspiring speech, music, dance and a theatrical enactment of slavery. B&H Sound Services provided a PA rig designed to cover the sizable area of the entire square and capture the varied sounds of freedom throughout the afternoon.
To cater for the needs of each individual act, a range of microphones was set up on stands ready to be put into place with very little notice received for each performance. Unusual sound requirements included radio microphones on hand percussion instruments which were danced around the stage, and amplifying a very unusual marimba.
Rev. Kerry Tankard said, ‘B&H gave the professional help needed to put across this varied programme which included music reflecting African culture. The superb results contributed to this memorable Set All Free event.’
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From Old School to Oxford University
When B&H Syscom were asked to install a system for Wadham College Chapel at Oxford University, the hard work began in earnest at the Old School offices. The concept was to ensure that whatever system was decided upon, it would not detract from the character of this early 17th century Gothic chapel.
The requirement was for a primarily speech-only system to enhance services and concerts. Speakers had to be fitted around the furnishings which included a great screen and eagle shaped lectern, but without fixing anything to them.
The finishing touch was accomplished by painting equipment the same colour as the furnishings. Part of the atmosphere is created by the chapel having only natural lighting – a great incentive for completing all work in daylight hours!
Pauline Linières-Hartley, Domestic Bursar & Fellow of Wadham College, said, ‘We were delighted with B&H. They spent considerable time with various key staff to give us exactly what was required. Everything was painstakingly executed and absolutely superb – which is why we have asked them to install a system in our Jacobean Hall.’ |
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| Happy Birthday Naxos
Celebrating a 20th birthday is a special occasion and the Wigmore Hall London, was the atmospheric setting when the classical recording label Naxos marked this event. B&H Sound Services Recording Department was on hand to contribute to the success of this celebration, and the concert was recorded by engineer Phil Rowlands using B&H microphones and slings.
Naxos, who are renowned for championing less well-known repertoire, included a number of rising stars of the orchestral world. |
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Crafty Conference
As featured on ‘The Apprentice’, Ideal World Shopping Channel has changed lifestyles and achieved many ‘firsts’. When they held their first live event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, B&H Sound Services were there to provide PA, lighting and video for the evening sessions.
Workshops were an integral part of this ‘Craft and Create Experience’, and featured paper craft, decoupage and jewellery making. Due to the intricacy of some of the work, visuals were crucial so multiple plasma screens and a projection system incorporating a ‘hot’ back-up unit were provided.
Create and Craft Club Manager Anna Betts said, ‘B&H supplied us with the total solution required to ensure the evening entertainments happened on time and to the high standard required by the only 24 hour dedicated craft TV channel.
‘We were able to meet and liaise with the event team beforehand and their commitment and attention to detail enabled us to produce the high standard of show we needed.’ |
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Earls Court Event Draws Teenagers
Thousands of teenagers packed Earls Court 2 in August for an evening of music, spoken word and multi-media presentations. B&H Sound Services technically facilitated this fast moving event which used dynamic sound, lighting and video.
Hillsong, the band originating at the Australian mega-church of the same name, came to take part in Mission to London at this evening geared to teenagers. The thousands of young people attending responded enthusiastically to both the music and message of this upbeat occasion.
Event Organiser Julian Richards said, ‘It has been my privilege to work with B&H over many years. I am 100% confident that in every instance they will provide a comprehensive technical solution, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
‘Mission to London 2007 was an unprecedented success because we always choose suppliers that come on board and commit everything to help us hit the aims and objectives of our events. B&H certainly go the extra mile on every level to achieve this.’ |
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| Young People Have Their Say
For the presentation event, B&H provided cameras, screens and supplemented the cathedral AV system. The programme included a video presentation and a panel discussion with contributors from different faith groups and varied political backgrounds.
Hilary Elliott Church Partnership Manager for The Children’s Society said ‘Everyone was extremely complimentary about how smoothly everything went and the quality of the technical production. Vox pops had been previously recorded by B&H during the YourSpace consultation day and the excellent video recordings were very effective in getting the powerful message across.’
These vox pops represented the different views of the individual young participants– B&H Sound Services technically enabling young people to have their say. |
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