Scarcely had the flypast sped over The Mall but our musicians were busy rehearsing their programme of patriotic music to share with residents at two local care homes during the late afternoon and early evening of Coronation Day.

The Heathers Care Home in Shortlands had requested a special concert for the big day and Beth Ezra Trust in Purley also invited friends and relatives to join residents to enjoy a special programme of patriotic celebration.

Professionals Oscar Arguelles and Julia Desbruslais led a quartet that welcomed two young clarinet players who both work for the NHS. All the music was especially arranged for this the unusual combination of 3 clarinets and 'cello, and it was generally agreed that this unlikely ensemble was remarkably successful. 

The right royal programme featured music composed for Charles II by Purcell and for George I by Handel, and included Greensleeves that is said to have been composed by Henry VIII. Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary launched proceedings, and Elgar's deeply moving Nimrod brought a moment of stillness.  We invited our audiences on a trip down memory lane with the Dambusters March by Eric Coates, Memory by Andrew Lloyd Webber from his musical "Cats" and Yesterday by the Beatles. Although not quite the Last Night of the Proms, the occasion had something of the same patriotic fervour!

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces among our audiences, not to mention some enthusiastic flag waving, and the musicians were buzzing with it! It was especially lovely to share the occasion with Rosemary, featured below alongside our players and her family. Rosemary was herself a committed and enthusiastic amateur clarinet player and like Sophie and Alice was a pupil of Artistic Director Margaret Archibald where they shared many a clarinet workshop together. Sophie and Alice loved playing for all the residents and staff at Rosemary's care home on such a special day.