Royal Albert Hall London
What did you do at the weekend?
Saturday 6th June, 6am was the start of a memorable experience for nine of our fellowship. We boarded the 6.50am flight from Prestwick to Stansted Airport then a train into London.
A quick break for some lunch & shops for the ladies, next stop the Royal Albert Hall.
Several others from our corps had gone down to London earlier in the week.
From 1.30pm we joined in rehearsals with 700 other Songsters from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to form the Festival Chorus.
Other groups taking part were The International Staff Band, International Staff Songsters, Territorial Music School ‘A’ Band, Croydon Citadel Dance Group, Ireland Division Timbrels, special guest Carol Jaudes from Montclair Citadel Corps USA.
After we had rehearsed the vocal music for the evening concert everyone was provided with a packed tea.
There was time to go to the Prince Albert Memorial and hear the Troops Band in concert, some of us managed to find time for a coffee and a chat. The evening concert started at 6.30pm where we were treated to a wonderful evening of music, dance and drama.
A full report on the concert can be found in the SALVATIONIST 13th June 2009 No 1197.
After the concert there was time to meet up with family and friends. Former Songster Leader Mark and Kirsty Allan send there best wishes to all at the Corps.
By now it was 10.30pm and time for something to eat, Pizza Hut was chosen, thanks to Robin Black for getting our order sorted out. Tired and weary we made our way to the underground Circle Line and out to Liverpool Street Station where we arrived exhausted at our hotel just after midnight.
Sunday morning we enjoyed some free time, midday we boarded the train out to Stansted Airport then onto the 3pm flight back to Prestwick and after approximately 850 miles round trip arrive home.
The rest of the Ayr contingent arrived home safely later on in the week.
It was wonderful for some of Ayr Songsters to take part in the premier of Majors Ian & Isobel Robinson’s ‘Lift up your Voice and Sing’. Ian is a former member of the Ayr corps, his Mum still soldiers and sings in the Ayr Songster Brigade. Majors Ian and Isabel are due to take up their new appointment at Sheringham Citadel Corps in August.
Ian has just started a three part series on our website called Life is a Journey click here for part one.
A big thank you goes to Bobby Irvine for organising our travel and hotel arrangements. Also for all his hard work in preparing and rehearsing the music for London during Songster practices.
Leonard McIlloney
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