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Olympics when instead of playing the anthem of
Albania - they mistakenly played the theme tune
from the Borat movies. You can never be too
careful. Especially in countries where they change
rulers regularly.
As the guests enter the Ballroom, the Orchestra plays
‘light music’ - songs from the shows, waltzes etc,
It is all very Grand Hotel. The guests enter through
the same door as you will on your tour, with the
musicians gallery to the left and the ballroom
stretching away to the right. At a signal from the
Lord Chamberlain, the orchestra has to begin playing
suitable stately music for the entry of the The Queens
Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard, who position
themselves at the head of the room around the thrones.
When all is ready, the Royal party enter the room.
They are lead by the Lord Chamberlain and Lord
Steward, each carrying their white Wand of Office.
Don’t mention Harry Potter. As the Royal party
enters, the orchestra has to play our National Anthem
and it has to be timed exactly to the second, so that
when the Queen reaches her seat at the head of the
table the Anthem finishes. Not a second before or
after. Without it ever being acknowledge, the Queen
knows the National Anthem (!) and she leads the
party at a speed which will fit with the music.
As far as I’m aware, she’s never been tempted to
sprint down the table just to catch the orchestra out.
Of course its long gowns for the ladies with tiaras
and jewels. Members of the Queen’s Household
wear a special navy blue frock coat with velvet
facings and guests of the visiting party can wear
national dress - so it can get very colourful.
The Queen approves every detail of the banquet,
including the music to be played. The suggested
programme is presented to the Queen and she will
make any alterations or requests. And she does!
The Director of Music is expected to include some
pieces which are relevant to the visiting Head of
State. So, for the President of France in 1976 we
played ‘Souvenirs of Paris” and similar. Easy. But
what about the 1982 visit of the Sultan of Oman?
All the Director could suggest was a selection from
‘The Desert Song’ - shades of John Hanson riding
a camel across the desert. I don’t think we played it.
National Anthems are also a problem. Our National
Anthem is simple and short. Some Anthems are
long and complicated. The ‘Marseilles’ seems to
go on forever! And for some countries the musical
arrangements are not always made for full bands
or orchestras. Before a state visit, the cultural
attaché and embassy staff will visit the Senior
Director of Music and the Band will play through
the Anthem. This is absolutely necessary to check
that it is the correct anthem and secondly that it is
played at the correct speed and is recognisable.
This seems odd - but you may remember at the
