Loughborough Concert Band

Service of Remembrance, Queens Park Loughborough

Playing at the Service of Remembrance in Loughborough has become one of the band’s high points in the year. And despite the appalling pandemic, despite not having a physical service last year, the people of Loughborough responded to the date and arrived in droves.

We were reminded that the dreadful virus has not gone away by the need to maintain space from each other. We did not play in the cramped band stand but in front of it. This change did not stop passing members of the public stopping after the service, listening to us and applauding. And maybe that is symbolic of the spirit that has kept us going throughout: we will get back to normal, we will keep smiling, even on Remembrance Sunday.

The Service itself, on a damp and drizzly autumnal day, was as somber and moving as it ever is. The band’s programme of solemn music at first, such as Handel’s Scipio and the beautiful In Flander’s Fields and rather more rousing pieces afterwards such as the British Legion March and Musket Fife and Drum was as well-chosen as ever. It was, as always, a real privilege to play for such an occasion. Perhaps next year we’ll be back in the bandstand.