Wind Power returns, with strings attached

A benefit concert with the Coldstream Guards, supporting Imperial's musical life - <em>News</em>

Tuesday 25 January 2011
By John-Paul Jones

The Coldstream Guards are once more marching into Imperial this week, to perform alongside staff and students in a benefit concert supporting the College’s musical life.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards first joined forces with Imperial’s windband for Wind Power in 2009, and a video of that concert canbe found below. Wednesday’s follow up event, Wind Power 2: With Strings attached, sees the bands joined by the award winning Imperial College Symphony Orchestra.

Workshops and rehearsals throughout Wednesday will give the students involved the chance to practise alongside their opposite numbers in the Band of the Coldstream Guards. Then, at 18.30 they will face the music for the evening concert, the proceeds of which will go towards music scholarships at Imperial as well as to charities linked to the Guards.

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The evening’s host, Professor Julia Buckingham, Pro Rector (Education and Academic Affairs) will be joined by Lord Robert Winston, the College's Professor of Science and Society, who will also perform alongside the bands on the saxophone.

Professor Buckingham said:

“Music has played a very important part in the lives of many students at Imperial throughout the College’s history, and maintaining a connection with the arts is something Imperial is always keen to encourage. Wind Power is a wonderful opportunity to both showcase and support musical talent here, and for our students to perform alongside world-class musicians.”

The scholarships to be supported by the concert will provide an opportunity for talented performers at Imperial to take lessons with world class musicians at the Royal College of Music.

The collaboration with the Guards first came about thanks to the efforts of Mel Tamplin (Finance) who plays in the College’s Wind Band and wanted to find an interesting collaborator for College musicians to work with.

Lord Windson performs in Wind Power 2009

The Band of the Coldstream Guards is internationally renowned, and their recent album Heroes was nominated in the Album of the Year category in the NS&I Classical Brit Awards. Their Bandmaster, Greg Machin, has regularly visited Imperial to work with students. He said:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the time that I have spent both playing in and occasionally conducting this wonderful group of scientist musicians and they have truly welcomed me as a member of the band, albeit slightly older and no longer a student! It is always a pleasure to work with the minds of the future and to gain insight into the world of what is a truly great educational establishment.”

People on South Kensington campus on Wednesday lunchtime will be able to preview the evening’s entertainment, when the Band of the Coldstream Guards performs fanfares on Dalby Court and at the foot of the Queen’s Tower. Tickets for the concert will be available for purchase then, as well as on the doors and online.