A few words from our conductor, Andrew Duncan 

Before assuming this role, I led a sheltered life as housemaster and teacher of classical languages at an independent boarding school. While there I unearthed my clarinet, neglected since my own schooldays, to demonstrate to pupils that they did not play as badly as they thought. Also, since the bass clarinet was unfashionable at the time, I borrowed the ancient and intermittently reliable school Leblanc and plugged a gap in the concert band. Liking the sound even I made, I joined other bands and in addition now play, or at least own, clarinets and saxophones of various shapes and sizes.

When I unwisely let slip that I was studying conducting at Morley College under Paul Sarcich I was asked to take over as conductor when Paul Collett retired. Like other bands we play a wide variety of music including classical transcriptions and modern works composed for groups of this kind. And I admit to a weakness for the arrangements of Warren Barker.

André Previn once admitted to the LSO that he occasionally got lost. Denis Brain replied: 'We'll sort things out, maestro; you just stand there and look elegant.' In my case looking elegant is easier said than done (see photo); but the musicianship of Gordon and others and the friendliness of the band smooth the path and make the journey a most enjoyable one.

Andrew putting the band through its paces or should I say, pieces.

Who is "me"?

I am Gordon Booth. I spent nine years in the Royal Artillery Band (Woolwich) where I eventually ended up as solo clarinet. After leaving the army I played as a semi-pro in pit orchestras for many musicals, mostly for Leatherhead Operatic Society and I played a great deal of chamber music. In 2001 I had my left hand little finger amputated because of cancer which put paid to my clarinet playing. Fortunately I can still play the saxophone with the aid of a piece of string - yes, a piece of string - and I now play tenor saxophone regularly with the New London Concert Band and the Roy Valenti Big Band. I play in a recorder quartet as well (don't laugh).