Oundle School CCF’s marching band played during the half-time interval of the recent match between Northampton Saints and London Harlequins at Franklin Gardens. Under the direction of band mistress and head of brass Adele Hudson, band captain Ian Ostijic (16), and drum major Angus McRae (16), the 54-piece band performed a short marching display before halting in the centre of the pitch to play ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ to the 13,000-strong home crowd.
The marching routine included a new manoeuvre where the band separated into two divisions before counter-marching and reforming on the halfway line – the product of WO2 Wayne Palmer’s work with the band. It is hoped that the band will be invited to perform at Franklin Gardens again next season. Their next performance will be on the day of the contingent’s annual inspection of the school’s parade ground in May.
The contingent commander, Major Andrew Mansergh RM, said: “It is an honour to have been invited to play at this premiership match and the band has worked tremendously hard to reach the standard required to do so; every cadet should be very proud of the performance that they gave.”
