Red lighting and a suspended Union Jack set the scene for the second Concert of Remembrance in The Usher Hall, Edinburgh. The evening began with a pre-concert Opening Fanfare, The Lord Provost's Fanfare, and included other well known melodies played on the auditorium's famous organ.
Despite tuning and timing issues on occasion, the concert did remind us of the importance of honouring and remembering members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. Beginning with the rousing opening melodies, Sari Marais (traditional), Sailing (Sutherland), and Ready, Aye Ready (Cox), performed by the Phoenix Band, and a display presented by members of the Sea Cadet Corps, Musselburgh Unit, were played with enthusiasm and dedication - it should be noted that all participants gave freely of their time and talent to a disappointingly sparse, yet appreciative audience.
The Falklands Campaign, which took place thirty years ago, underpinned the evening, and was marked by a selection of pieces entitled The Falklands. In particular, Pipe Major James Banks performed Crags of Tumbledown Mountain, a piece composed during the conflict and therefore recognised as a fitting memorial to those who fell.
Situated north-west of Spean Bridge is the Commando Memorial which displays three soldiers, and commemorates an elite force known as the 'Commandos'; initially a unit made up of volunteers from regiments and corps of the British Army. A delightfully costumed and choreographed dance 'Remembrance', portrayed the bravery and courage of the three soldiers, representative of the 1,700, who made the supreme sacrifice.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland (Edinburgh Choir) and Judith Gardner-Jones (soprano), sung an emotive selection music throughout the second half of the evening, all of which are regularly performed at acts of Remembrance - including Rule Britannia (Arne, arr. William Phillips) and, I Vow to Thee, my Country (Holst).
The Ceremony of Remembrance was conducted by the Reverend Neil Gardner, accompanied by the traditional Last Post and Reveille. The Phoenix Band concluded the evening, sending us on our way accompanied by their rendition of uplifting melodies from the war years...
Event: Saturday 10th November, 2012 at 7 pm