Monday 15th May 2006
Eight Tonbridgian musicians, Chris Tang FH5, Wilson Cheng Sc5, Jonathan Burrowes SH5, Jonathan Suart OH3, Sean Hopkins HS2, Harry Winstanley WH5, Hugo Hill PH4 and Mark Sweeney OH3 joined members of the National Youth Music Theatre under the baton of Director of Studies John Pearson at Windsor Castle on April 22nd to play at a private dinner to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. The entire royal family was present at this glittering event. The cast and orchestra were presented to Her Majesty, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Duke of York and his daughters, and HRH The Earl of Wessex at a reception afterwards.
The whole day was an extraordinary experience from the security in the morning, through the rehearsals in the afternoon, the performance in the evening to the surreal reception at the end of the evening where the performers mingled with the entire royal family. During the rehearsal we became aware of a dog sniffing around our legs. It turned out to be a corgi and when we looked round there was the Queen in a tweed skirt and cardigan inspecting the tables, as she apparently does on these occasions.
There was a long wait whilst the extended royal family and the Queen's guests, numbering 100 people, had their dinner before we eventually performed at 9.45. The programme contained eight songs from the National Youth Music Theatre's repertoire, plus entertainment from some very funny disabled performers from the Orpheus Centre, plus appearances from Peter Skellern and Richard Stilgoe. The performance ended with the NYMT joining forces with the band of The Royal Marines and the Gentlemen Choristers of St George's Chapel, Windsor in a rousing version of Happy Birthday to You specially arranged with two verses by John Pearson.
A day not to be forgotten.