BRIAN AND MO SING FOR THE QUEEN, CUNARD

Oh Yes, both Mo and I have worked (unpaid of course) for Cunard - as we have both sung in front of our Queen when she named the new Cunard liner “Queen Elizabeth” in October 2010.

As some of you may know, both Mo and I sing – we sing with 3 choirs each week and also sing with 2 other choirs on an ad hoc basis. So, in 2010 we were invited to join Bournemouth Symphony Chorus (an amateur choir that sings to a professional standard) at the naming ceremony of Cunard’s new liner – the Queen Elizabeth.

OK so far, it was a “gig” singing with lots of our good friends from Bournemouth – but wow – we were also told that our Queen would be naming the new liner – now that is something you do not find every day!

The Band of the Coldstream Guards

We sang with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (a top professional outfit) and, at the Dress Rehearsal, we realised that the Band of the Coldstream Guards would also be taking part.

We were singing under a large canopy – like the ones used at all the big rock concerts and festivals. Believe you me, it was hot and humid – especially as I am a second bass and therefore sit at the back of the choir – high up above the rest of the choir). Mo, an alto, sat near the front of the canopy, so it cooler.

Now do not think that these are “toy soldiers”. The Coldstream Guards and their Band have served, with honours, a number of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan – as befits one of our oldest Regiments. The Band’s musicianship is second to none, their marching and drill was flawless – it made us proud to be British.

Please excuse me when I claim that no-one does ceremony and pageantry like us Brits. Sorry to all our reader in “USland” about the “red coats” – this is the dress uniform; used only for ceremonial duties.

With over 150 singers and a full orchestra we sang our hearts out – but only to the highest standard – after all we were singing in front of our Queen!

For those who know music, we sang: - Zadok the Priest, Helleluia chorus, Amazing Grace – and, of course, “God Save the Queen” (you folks, over there in USland, know the tune – after all it was used as your National Anthem “My country ‘tis of thee” until 1931!!).

Then came the speeches – but the highlight was the naming of the new Queen Elizabeth by Her Majesty – followed by all the fog horns and ships klaxons in Southampton – what a noise!

Our Queen!

After the Queen had departed to a rapturous applause, the choir rushed to our “green room” (changing and rest room) for a drink of water, because we had been so hot. After that, it was climax to drive home – “wow we sang in front of our Queen!!”

Finally, can anyone with a legal brain (especially a newly appointed attorney!) tell us if Mo and I would be eligible for a free cruise (round the world would be nice!) on the new Queen Elizabeth – after she could not have been named with us two good folks!!!

Should we all start a campaign to encourage Cunard to give free tickets to Mo and myself!!

Love to all – and “keep cruising” – Brian and Mo