B&H Sound and Optimum Presentation Services enjoy a creative relationship, although they have not really invented a new game – it just seems that way.

One of Optimum’s major clients, a large automotive manufacturer, recently held a dealers’ conference in Birmingham. Optimum Technical Manager Oliver Hudson explains, ‘The B&H rig for this show was designed to blend in with the set and to be as inconspicuous as possible. B&H did such a good job that there wasn’t any sound equipment obvious!’

B&H Sound Services installed and operated all of the sound equipment, including audio/video playback, 10 radio microphones and a fully flown high quality PA system.
Optimum Director Charles Speakman notes, ‘It’s a pleasure to work with B&H. I’m interested in working with people and that’s what B&H is all about. Our client is holding another large corporate event in June, so we are looking forward to working with B&H again soon.’

Harvesting sound; it’s not really such an unusual thought. After all, harvesting is about reaping the best, and B&H Sound Services has been acquiring and developing superb technical resources to produce the very best sound coverage at Spring Harvest since 1986.

Every Easter some 55,000 people attend a myriad of events ranging from small, special interest groups to concerts with audiences of thousands joining in lively worship. B&H Sound Services provides Spring Harvest with the expertise required to meet each special need.

B&H Managing Director Brian Hillson leads seminars in Principles of Sound and Effective Use of Multimedia in Worship. His lively presentations at Spring Harvest encourage church engineers to understand sound and visual principles, enabling them to get the best out of their equipment. It’s another way B&H Sound helps others to reap the benefits of their technical experience.

The B&H Recording Department was involved in a unique project at the end of last year. Not only did they record a solo album for Derick Kane, one of the top euphonium players in the country, but also produced a CD of piano accompaniments for other players to use. The tracks range from less demanding solos aimed at younger players, to virtuosi pieces that only the elite would attempt!

The recording was made at the Oundle School Chapel last October, and B&H worked closely with Derick in the SADiE editing suite, tailoring the project to his specific requirements. The CD is soon to be released on the SP&S label.

It was meant as a compliment, but following the 10-day installation of a new sound system at St Nicholas Church Sevenoaks, Martin Levett, the church administrator said, ‘I can’t see what you’ve done!’

The brief for B&H Syscom was to install a full range sound system without damaging the building. Two of the engineers worked at high level on scaffolding for over a week to complete the task, and by the end all the cabling was completely concealed.

Church member Andrew Boshoff said ‘We are delighted with the sound of the system, and the B&H engineers are craftsmen – you’d hardly know they’d been in. Moreover the DSP programming was seamless and the changeover to the new system totally glitch free – we’re very impressed.’

It’s not the usual travellers’ checklist, but the B&H Sound team assures everyone that microphones are essential for their travel to Tenerife, and that this is a working trip in spite of returning with tans and relaxed smiles.

On Christmas day, local Spanish residents enjoy the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra’s open-air concert in Santa Cruz. Each year the B&H engineers fly out for rehearsals and the event itself, setting up and operating the PA system to provide both live sound and a feed for television.

The evening concert packs in audiences as large as 20,000, and an upbeat programme of serious classical music and traditional folk songs creates a memorable atmosphere. Bizet and Ravel featured this Christmas, as well as a performance of Elgar’s ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ march. It was pleasing to note that everyone listened attentively rather than singing along in English!

just 10, just right

‘Carols for Birmingham’ from the Birmingham National Indoor Arena on December 15th was a great seasonal event in itself, as well as anticipating the ‘just10 Birmingham’ outreach meetings running from Easter 2005. B&H provided full PA, lighting and projection for the event.

Katharine Draper from Philo Trust said, ‘The evening was a huge success with nearly 10,000 people packing out the NIA. Including live music, carols and a message from J.John, the evening was really well received. Technically the event ran very smoothly and God TV broadcast the result on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.’

A Big Top in Aston Park, Birmingham is the site for ‘just10 Birmingham’. The event runs from 7th April to 9th June on consecutive Thursday evenings and B&H Sound will be there to ensure it is just right.

Seventeen Impressive Years

Oundle School and B&H Sound Services enjoy a working relationship spanning 17 impressive years, handling everything from the prestigious school’s big band recordings to PA and fireworks at the Leavers Ball.

In March the annual ‘Rocksox’ showcase event filled the air with pulsating music. B&H supplied a live band PA system, flown concert lighting system and backdrop.

Music School Headmaster Richard Kaufman explains, ‘B&H let the students have hands-on experience so they can develop their skills under supervision.
‘Students help rig, and use everything from lighting effects to smoke machines. As a result some have gone on to become professional lighting designers which is why we’ve built up this rapport.’

Oundle graduate James Southby is now studying at Guildhall College, London. B&H employs him on a freelance basis, a direct result of his skills developed from school days.
Now everybody is looking forward to the next seventeen impressive years…

B&H Training and Self Development

At B&H, staff training and development are taken very seriously. Staff members have just completed a series of five technical training sessions covering such diverse topics as Microphone Theory, Video System Design, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) systems and Regulations for Electrical Installations. The sessions were conducted by a combination of external and internal experts.

Various aspects of individual wellbeing are also considered, and most of the B&H staff recently underwent a Care Initiator First Aid course and all passed with flying colours.

Training and development is something very close to B&H’s heart, with the popular ‘Training for Worship’ (T4W) series set to continue from April 2005 onwards.