Major buzz for a very big band

Furze Platt students enjoyed ‘an exuberant performance’ by 32 musicians from the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at their theatre on Friday.

The school was chosen from several in the southeast to host the band, because its theatre can accommodate many performers.

Pupils were ‘a very enthusiastic audience’, clapping and stomping their feet to the theme tunes to Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Mission Impossible and more.

Soloists from the band played various instruments, including a saw connected to an amp.

Air Specialist Austin Blackburn, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, played You Raise Me Up by Westlife.

The musicians were conducted by Warrant Officer Paul

Phelan, Senior Drum Major of RAF Music Services.

He led the RAF contingent in the procession of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Band member Sergeant Jonty Hill said: “It’s always a rewarding experience for us to perform in schools for outreach projects and Furze Platt was no exception.

“We hope we delivered an interesting (and entertaining) concert to demonstrate the power of music and the excellence that RAF Music represents.”

Headteacher Dr Andrew Morrison said ‘it was a superb spectacle from one of the best military bands in the world’.

Head of Music, Stuart Forster added: “It was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for our students to see a live professional band in their school theatre.

“The buzz around the school has been electric running up to the event and the performance was just incredible.

“Our students will remember this for years to come.”