Youngsters had the thrills of a lifetime as their school band played at The Mall in London for the Queen’s 90th birthday party.
After a damp start the sun came out when the Christ’s Hospital Band marched past The Queen on Sunday.
With themes based around each decade of The Queen’s sovereignty, Christ’s Hospital was the only school to provide musical accompaniment for the nation’s largest street party. Senior Drum Major
Jed Davies saluted the royal box as the band marched past as part of the 90s celebrations to
an arrangement of Spice Girls’ Wannabe. There were also cheers from the crowd along The
Mall when the Drum Major tossed the mace high into the air.
Guy Perricone, treasurer of Christ’s Hospital said: “Even the rain could not dampen my pride
when I watched the band march down The Mall in the parade twice, once in the pouring
rain, and once, mercifully, in the dry. They were resplendent and absolutely magnificent.
Everybody I was with said the same, and those who are not familiar with the school
immediately wanted to know who these brilliant children were. As ever, they were
wonderful and were undoubtedly one of the highlights of what was a very special day
indeed.”
The weekend was the highlight of the School year for the Band as they had another major
engagement on the Saturday when the musicians also performed on the pitch at Lord’s, the
official home of cricket, during the interval of the third day of the test match against Sri
Lanka. Pictured are the band at The Mall and at Lord’s. Lords picture by Matt Bright.