Bryan's memories
The sad passing of the Queen creates the start of a new era. Many of us will remember the day back in March 2012 when she visited the Borough of Harrow as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Philip and I had been asked to put together a choir of 150 to sing for her and the Duke of Edinburgh on that occasion, and I was asked to create a new piece of music to sing. I composed the Diamond Jubilee Choral Fanfare which we all performed followed by Shifting Sands (words by Philip, music by me). After the choir had sung, Philip and I were presented to Her Majesty, who spoke with us for about 5 minutes. She really knew how to put us at our ease. We presented her with a score of the music the choir had sung (which she instantly passed to someone behind her). We had been given permission to do this, but what no one knew was that we included in the pack a copy of a CD we had made of popular songs. I'm not convinced that she ever listened to it, but, hopefully, the sheet music and CD are still in the Royal Archives. A very memorable day and one of which to be proud. |
More photos at:
https://www.entertainingpeople.co.uk/diamond-jubilee.html
https://www.entertainingpeople.co.uk/diamond-jubilee.html
Philip's memories
The date was 29 March 2012, the event was the Queen’s visit to Harrow on the first day of her Diamond Jubilee Tour. In front of me a 150-strong choir drawn from 10 Harrow adult choirs and 3 Harrow schools. The singers included a large contingent from Tonic Choir. To my left, Bryan at the keyboard, but my eyes were firmly fixed to a point about 50 metres to my right where we expected the Queen and Prince Philip to appear from a marquee. I had carefully timed her walk to the spot where she was going to sit to listen to the choirs. We had planned to sing Come Ye Sons of Art, written in 1694 by one of England’s great composers, Henry Purcell. He wrote it for the birthday of another monarch, Queen Mary.
The Queen appeared, we sang, and she sat down just as we finished. Brilliant timing. But we could not start our main programme as Prince Philip was nowhere to be seen. We had prepared an extra piece and so we sang Pastyme with Good Company which was written by another English monarch, Henry VIII. By the time we finished, Prince Philip had arrived to an admonishing look from Her Majesty. We then sang our main pieces, the Choral Fanfare written by Bryan for the occasion, and Shifting Sands, written by Bryan and myself, which we had been asked by the organisers to include. This was followed by a presentation to the Queen during which she asked us questions about the choir and the pieces of music that she had heard. While Bryan answered her questions, I stood there in a state of near shock. While this was happening, Prince Philip went over to the choir and chatted with them, in his own inimitable style. We gave the Queen a folder containing a copy of the music we had sung and a CD of Bryan and me singing a selection of songs. We like to think she listened to our CD on her way back to Buckingham Palace. A day unlike any other and of course one of the most memorable moments in my life.
The date was 29 March 2012, the event was the Queen’s visit to Harrow on the first day of her Diamond Jubilee Tour. In front of me a 150-strong choir drawn from 10 Harrow adult choirs and 3 Harrow schools. The singers included a large contingent from Tonic Choir. To my left, Bryan at the keyboard, but my eyes were firmly fixed to a point about 50 metres to my right where we expected the Queen and Prince Philip to appear from a marquee. I had carefully timed her walk to the spot where she was going to sit to listen to the choirs. We had planned to sing Come Ye Sons of Art, written in 1694 by one of England’s great composers, Henry Purcell. He wrote it for the birthday of another monarch, Queen Mary.
The Queen appeared, we sang, and she sat down just as we finished. Brilliant timing. But we could not start our main programme as Prince Philip was nowhere to be seen. We had prepared an extra piece and so we sang Pastyme with Good Company which was written by another English monarch, Henry VIII. By the time we finished, Prince Philip had arrived to an admonishing look from Her Majesty. We then sang our main pieces, the Choral Fanfare written by Bryan for the occasion, and Shifting Sands, written by Bryan and myself, which we had been asked by the organisers to include. This was followed by a presentation to the Queen during which she asked us questions about the choir and the pieces of music that she had heard. While Bryan answered her questions, I stood there in a state of near shock. While this was happening, Prince Philip went over to the choir and chatted with them, in his own inimitable style. We gave the Queen a folder containing a copy of the music we had sung and a CD of Bryan and me singing a selection of songs. We like to think she listened to our CD on her way back to Buckingham Palace. A day unlike any other and of course one of the most memorable moments in my life.
From Michael Fox - Tonic 1 (and 2, 3 & 4)
A beautiful and memorable day.
The weather in the early Spring of 2012 was very good, and the 29th March did not disappoint. It was a very warm day with sunshine throughout the day. No need for jackets or coats although Philip and Bryan were properly suited, and both had “scrubbed up” really well.
An early morning start with a coach laid on from Harrow Arts Centre for those wishing to avoid parking difficulties. Short queue to get through the extensive security laid on, and I was immediately struck by the festive atmosphere with security and police all smiling and joking etc. We had been told to travel light for obvious security/storage reasons, and lunch was to be provided. The School was pretty packed out with children from Harrow Schools and various Harrow based organisations and their stalls etc. I was immediately aware of the electricity in the air, fuelled by the very excited school children and also the excitement from the rest of us “kids”. I remember that all the school children appeared to be very well behaved throughout the day. I don’t recall seeing any teacher having any issues. When I commented upon this to one Teacher, she did mention something about the “Tower” and “Be-heading”.
The morning just seemed to flash by. We had a short final rehearsal before Lunch, which I seem to recall went well. I was struck by how calm and collected both Philip and Bryan were, but understand that it might just have been that Philip was simply in a daze. Personally, I felt quite nervous and very excited, to the extent that I could hardly eat much lunch offered from the catering trucks. I do remember a fellow Tonic offering me his doughnut, and most unusually for me, I had to refuse it.
The children were all lined up at the front on the driveway up to the school, and adults were invited to stand behind. There then followed rehearsals of the car arriving and the greetings from the dignitaries at the front entrance. There were more rehearsals of this, than for our singing! But the final arrival of the Queen and Prince Philip, went well with very loud cheering. I tried to save my voice, but have to admit that I was caught up in the moment.
Some of us were then able to shadow the Queen as she started her tour, before we had to be in place for our performance. The first performance for the Queen was in the Main Hall where the School put on a dance performance by Asian pupils. I remember that the Queen was offered a chair, but chose to stand throughout a somewhat lengthy performance. I remember being struck by the fact that this was the afternoon and she had already had a morning of full events/visits!!
I think the Choir’s performance was really good, and it was great singing together with other Harrow Choirs. I do recall fondly, the camaraderie amongst the Choirs on that day, and during all the previous rehearsals. At the end Prince Philip made directly for the Altos. In fairness they were all at the front. I understand that he was particularly impressed with our volume and was convinced that we must have had additional audio sound coming from behind us.
I think that since October 2009, I have rarely missed singing at Tonic Performances, and I have a store of Tonic Magic Moments, but this one certainly was the most magical experience for me. I simply could not believe that just two and a half years since first starting to sing in a choir, that there I was singing before the Queen. On the day I had to keep pinching myself that I was not dreaming.
A beautiful and memorable day.
The weather in the early Spring of 2012 was very good, and the 29th March did not disappoint. It was a very warm day with sunshine throughout the day. No need for jackets or coats although Philip and Bryan were properly suited, and both had “scrubbed up” really well.
An early morning start with a coach laid on from Harrow Arts Centre for those wishing to avoid parking difficulties. Short queue to get through the extensive security laid on, and I was immediately struck by the festive atmosphere with security and police all smiling and joking etc. We had been told to travel light for obvious security/storage reasons, and lunch was to be provided. The School was pretty packed out with children from Harrow Schools and various Harrow based organisations and their stalls etc. I was immediately aware of the electricity in the air, fuelled by the very excited school children and also the excitement from the rest of us “kids”. I remember that all the school children appeared to be very well behaved throughout the day. I don’t recall seeing any teacher having any issues. When I commented upon this to one Teacher, she did mention something about the “Tower” and “Be-heading”.
The morning just seemed to flash by. We had a short final rehearsal before Lunch, which I seem to recall went well. I was struck by how calm and collected both Philip and Bryan were, but understand that it might just have been that Philip was simply in a daze. Personally, I felt quite nervous and very excited, to the extent that I could hardly eat much lunch offered from the catering trucks. I do remember a fellow Tonic offering me his doughnut, and most unusually for me, I had to refuse it.
The children were all lined up at the front on the driveway up to the school, and adults were invited to stand behind. There then followed rehearsals of the car arriving and the greetings from the dignitaries at the front entrance. There were more rehearsals of this, than for our singing! But the final arrival of the Queen and Prince Philip, went well with very loud cheering. I tried to save my voice, but have to admit that I was caught up in the moment.
Some of us were then able to shadow the Queen as she started her tour, before we had to be in place for our performance. The first performance for the Queen was in the Main Hall where the School put on a dance performance by Asian pupils. I remember that the Queen was offered a chair, but chose to stand throughout a somewhat lengthy performance. I remember being struck by the fact that this was the afternoon and she had already had a morning of full events/visits!!
I think the Choir’s performance was really good, and it was great singing together with other Harrow Choirs. I do recall fondly, the camaraderie amongst the Choirs on that day, and during all the previous rehearsals. At the end Prince Philip made directly for the Altos. In fairness they were all at the front. I understand that he was particularly impressed with our volume and was convinced that we must have had additional audio sound coming from behind us.
I think that since October 2009, I have rarely missed singing at Tonic Performances, and I have a store of Tonic Magic Moments, but this one certainly was the most magical experience for me. I simply could not believe that just two and a half years since first starting to sing in a choir, that there I was singing before the Queen. On the day I had to keep pinching myself that I was not dreaming.
Recollections of the day written in 2012
Avril Witte
This was an absolutely joyful day and the atmosphere from the moment the Queen arrived was really electric. When it came to the moment to sing, the air seemed to buzz, the adrenalin kicked in and we sang our hearts out. What a feeling of elation it was! The fact that she turned and thanked us as she left was an added bonus.
Beth Emanuel
Amazing amazing amazing – am I repeating myself?! Still pinching myself – what a fantastic day we’ve had – truly memorable – thank you so much for creating the opportunity and making such a success of it – really fab.
Susan Mount
I wanted to thank you both for such an exciting and wonderful day. I thoroughly enjoyed the singing, seeing the Queen and Prince Philip and the day in general. I felt I sang my heart out and am now relaxing with a good cup of tea in the sunshine.
Roy Levene
It was a fab day and will keep me going at many dinner parties.
I have to say that it was a privilege to be involved yesterday and I was very proud to see you two being presented to HM and Duke. You certainly earned this accolade.
Veronica Colley
What a wonderful opportunity you provided and allowed us to be part of!
I was over-whelmed myself by the whole experience and felt so emotional when you were both presented to Her Majesty. The singing was wonderful but felt we could have sung it again and again to anyone who would have listened!! Bryan, the Choral Fanfare was absolutely perfect for the occasion and so moving.
Jill Davis
I never imagined that by joining Tonic I would perform in front of HRH and Prince Philip. I was moved and emotional - and very proud to be part of what Tonic has achieved in such a short time - and all credit due to Brian and Philip who have worked hard to put Tonic on the map and continue to make the Tonic experience so enjoyable.
Avril Witte
This was an absolutely joyful day and the atmosphere from the moment the Queen arrived was really electric. When it came to the moment to sing, the air seemed to buzz, the adrenalin kicked in and we sang our hearts out. What a feeling of elation it was! The fact that she turned and thanked us as she left was an added bonus.
Beth Emanuel
Amazing amazing amazing – am I repeating myself?! Still pinching myself – what a fantastic day we’ve had – truly memorable – thank you so much for creating the opportunity and making such a success of it – really fab.
Susan Mount
I wanted to thank you both for such an exciting and wonderful day. I thoroughly enjoyed the singing, seeing the Queen and Prince Philip and the day in general. I felt I sang my heart out and am now relaxing with a good cup of tea in the sunshine.
Roy Levene
It was a fab day and will keep me going at many dinner parties.
I have to say that it was a privilege to be involved yesterday and I was very proud to see you two being presented to HM and Duke. You certainly earned this accolade.
Veronica Colley
What a wonderful opportunity you provided and allowed us to be part of!
I was over-whelmed myself by the whole experience and felt so emotional when you were both presented to Her Majesty. The singing was wonderful but felt we could have sung it again and again to anyone who would have listened!! Bryan, the Choral Fanfare was absolutely perfect for the occasion and so moving.
Jill Davis
I never imagined that by joining Tonic I would perform in front of HRH and Prince Philip. I was moved and emotional - and very proud to be part of what Tonic has achieved in such a short time - and all credit due to Brian and Philip who have worked hard to put Tonic on the map and continue to make the Tonic experience so enjoyable.