Spring Harvest is now in its 25th year, and B&H has been supplying the sound systems and technical support since 1986. In 2001, B&H and Spring Harvest collaborated to form Project Video which now provides all the projection and video facilities for Spring Harvest. The video racks were specifically designed for the two 5000-seater Big Tops and incorporate Projection Control racks with 16-input video mixers to allow for multiple camera inputs.

This Christian conference runs for three weeks either side of Easter each year at the Butlins sites at Skegness and Minehead. Approximately 70,000 people pass through the sites and Julian Stanford manages the technical support, and comments “We always look forward to the challenges which Spring Harvest poses, with over 30 venues and 20 engineers.”

The technical services range from simple seminar systems, Youth venues to the Big Tops, which require long throw Meyer speakers to cover the congregations of 5000.

A major part of B&H’s involvement is Managing Director Brian Hillson’s series of seminars entitled Principles of Sound in Worship Situations and Effective use of Multimedia in Worship. Brian presents eight seminars at both sites, each attracting over 120 people per day. These lively presentations hope to encourage technicians in Churches to understand sound and vision principles and get the best out of their equipment.

During this year’s conference, one of the BBC’s “Songs of Praise” programmes was broadcast from Spring Harvest in Minehead. B&H provided the BBC with a full technical service including FOH sound, lighting and sound splits for 40 channels.

For more information about Spring Harvest and details of next year’s conference please visit www.springharvest.org

The Royal Albert Hall always represents a technical challenge, but every time we work there we learn something new about the place.

The latest production entrusted to B&H was the Gospel Arts Festival, staged by the Salvation Army on Saturday 7 June, featuring brass bands, a choir of 700 on the stage, and choreography over the entire arena.

The event used 60 channels of microphones for both PA and recording and Julian Stanford was the Production Manager for B&H, co-ordinating a crew of nine engineers working an 18 hour shift to cover the day’s event. He said “the difficult bit in terms of PA is to provide separate control over eight matrix outputs, because at some points in the programme, the 1000 seat choir stalls and the 800 seat arena need to hear programme, and at other times they’re filled with performers, who need separate monitor mixes - we like a challenge!”

With rehearsals starting before midday, a tight schedule was in place to be ready to commence sound checks on time. Unfortunately this year we were presented with an unexpected problem; we arrived to find the hall in darkness. A power cut took over an hour out of the available rigging time, and although we had to play catch up all day, all 60 mics were patched into the PA and the Recording consoles in time.

The recording was extremely successful, being recorded to stereo and multitrack for a CD release and a surround sound demonstration. The evening included several items from the New York Staff Band, who will include their performance in yet another recording entitled “Live in England”.

“This is an epic recording” (4BarsRest.com)

“Outstanding release from YBS of Bourgeois” (British Bandsman)

“YBS Bourgeois in Brass is a must have for anyone who enjoys brass music” (Brass Band World)

The most recent brass band recording carried out by the location recording team at B&H and released on the Egon label is enjoying excellent reviews. Yorkshire Building Society Band was conducted by Dr David King who has been an admirer of composer Derek Bourgeois’ work since his famous test piece “Blitz” was used in the National Finals in 1981. The last recording is significant in that it includes his latest composition “Apocalypse”, which is reputed to be the most difficult piece ever written for brass. It is described by the composer as “almost unplayable”. The CD also features the trombone soloist, Ian Bousfield, from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who was invited to perform a new arrangement of “Sonata for Trombone”.

“Recorded over three days in March this year it is a band at full tilt, playing music that requries immense reserves of stamina, technique and musicality. All the players involved should be congratulated fully for their efforts, whilst Dr King shows that he has an intuitive understanding of the composer’s musical thoughts and ideas. There should also be a big pat on the back for Egon for taking the decision to release such a serious CD, plus the graphic designer for a superbly laid out and attractive cover and booklet. This is a very strong contender for our CD of the year.” (4BarsRest.com)

For more a complete review and for information on ordering the CD, please visit:

www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cdrev068.asp
www.worldofbrass.com

B&H Syscom has been involved in installing a number of sound systems for London's high-profile new restaurant, bar and gallery space Sketch. The five rooms at Sketch - the Gallery, the West and East Bars, the Parlour and the Lecture Room and Library - have all been installed with Meyer Sound speaker systems and BSS Soundweb digital network processors.

Located in a Grade II listed building which was originally the Institute of British Architects headquarters and then Christian Dior's offices, Sketch is the second London venture for Mourad Mazouz, owner of exclusive West End bar/restaurant Momo.

The biggest audio installation was in the Gallery, a 13m by 13m room displaying video artwork accompanied by a soundtrack during the day, functioning as a restaurant between 7-11pm before becoming an energetic space featuring both DJ and video entertainment until 2am. Autograph supplied four Meyer DF-4 downfill speakers, four Meyer UPA-1P speakers and three Meyer PSW-4s sub woofers.

A total of six BSS Soundweb 9088ii digital network processors and a Soundweb 9000 network hub have been installed, with one Jellyfish and five Shrimp controllers throughout the building. Four of the 9088iis are located in the control room, while the other two are remotely networked in the East Bar and West Bar respectively.

Lab Gruppen 1300C power amplifiers were also installed to drive the MM4s, an Allen & Heath Xone 2-464 DJ mixer, a number of Denon CD players and Technics record decks. All equipment was supplied by Autograph Sales.

People are always surprised by the size of the commercial market afforded by the Church.

At this year’s Christian Resources Exhibition, some 20,000 people visited Sandown Racecourse Conference Centre, for the 15th Annual event. The national news was filled by the story of the Inflatable Church, a kind of mammoth bouncy castle, but built like a Parish Church and taking up 200,000 cubic feet of paddock! Apparently it was originally commissioned as a publicity stunt for a nightclub called “The Church”, but was brought in as a special attraction for this year’s event.

B&H has exhibited here now for 5 years, and our stand in the Esher Hall has become its own focal point for existing customers, as well as prospective clients. Brian Hillson is a guest speaker in the seminar programme and during the 4 days is reputed to have expounded even more hot air than the inflatable church!

Re: Mission

The Old School Studio has recently been buzzing to the sound of this famous Gospel Band and choir. The overdub and mixing sessions for their latest album In Your Presence took place over an 8 week period in March and April.

Click tracks, loops and backings were layered in the studio before the event using Pro Tools, but the backbone of the recording was the live worship on 1st March at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. Engineered by Russ Dawson-Butterworth and Richard Sutcliffe, the line-up included a Worship Band consisting of drums, bass, 3 keyboards, guitar and a 14-piece choir. Recorded directly onto our iZ RADAR multitrack system from the Mackie 56 channel desk, the recording was subsequently transferred to our Pro Tools Mixed Cubed system for additional overdubs and sequencing. At one point 50 tracks were in use simultaneously during the remix session.

When asked why he chose B&H, Steve McGregor, the musical director of Remission said “we wanted a company who could handle on-location recording as well as studio based sessions. We’ve used B&H for our live PA work for many years, but this is the first time we’ve asked them to handle sound and recording for a live event, and we’re delighted with the result.”

For more information and to order the CD please visit the Re: Mission website on www.remissionchoir.org.uk

In March, Lyn Phillips joined the staff at B&H as our new Administrator. She already comes from a PA background, although in her previous job in Essex, that meant “Personal Assistant”. She is looking after the Live Sound Department, Video Department, as well as looking after three Directors and a new Sales exec. Welcome to B&H Lyn!

It’s always been Jo who has answered the phone for the past 4 years but perhaps less so from now on, with her new move into the Installation department, Syscom. Our customers have got used to her cheery voice and Lincolnshire accent saying “Ello”. Jo now joins Ian Dunkley, Dan Herbert, Andy Stiles and Geoff Boswell in the B&H Syscom team.

Richard Sutcliffe, who has been working in the Recording Department for the last year now returns to the University of Surrey to complete his final year on the Tonmeister degree course. Richard takes back with him a wealth of knowledge and some great experiences, some of which could only have come his way at B&H. Where else could he have worked on endless brass bands, an Indian sitar album recorded in the Royal Albert Hall, a Christmas single, and recorded the winner of the International Whistler of the Year competition? His portfolio of recordings should certainly score marks for variation.

Replacing Richard is Jim Henson, on his University Professional Training Period. Originally from Kimbolton, Jim is looking forward to working with the team, and will be the fourth student to join us from the renowned Tonnmeister course. Apparently the placement at B&H is much sought after because of the wide range of experience which it affords students.

Have you seen the reference on our correspondence - NAT? This has so far meant that it’s from Nicola Tonge, who manages our Recording Department but we can’t refer to her as NAT any longer. She is now Mrs Nicola Seager and if you’re confused by the name change, don’t worry, we’re still getting used to it following her marriage to Derren in February. The wedding was at Coombe Abbey in Coventy, a splendid affair with food and everything! Congratulations Nicki.

Debs has been with us looking after the Accounts for over 5 years, but now wants to spend more time at home looking after her two children Luke and Ruth. All this time, she has travelled in from her home in Boston which has meant long days away from her young family. Thanks Deb for all your hard work!

In September we will welcome Peter Lister to the Company as our Sales Executive. Peter has a background in engineering and technical sales and his skills will help us to attend to the increasing number of enquiries for the corporate hire and conference market. Peter is a musician at the local Community Church where he attends with his wife Peryn and his daughters.

PS And the reference to old faces? Well, Ian Dunkley has just celebrated a significant birthday.