Fanfares & Music for HM the Queen

Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Sherborne on Tuesday 1st May. The fanfares which heralded the arrival of the royal party in front of the Abbey were played by members of the school’s Brass Ensemble, Sherborne Girls and The Gryphon. The Royal Train arrived at Sherborne station at 9.55 am, after which the Queen and the Duke were driven to the Abbey Close by car while a fanfare by Arthur Bliss was performed as it approached the Abbey. Inside the Abbey, background music was provided by the String Trio and one of the chamber groups which had recent success in the national Pro Corda Competition, while the Duke was given a guided tour. Afterwards, the Duke of Edinburgh met with some of the Sherborne boys involved with the fanfare and congratulated them on their performances.

Director of Music James Henderson, who conducted the joint schools’ brass group, said afterwards: "It was a great privilege for the young musicians to prepare music for this special day in Sherborne. The fanfare group, representing the best trumpeters and brass players from all three schools, was thrilled both to be heralding the arrival of the royal party and then having the opportunity to talk to the Duke afterwards.”

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2012