The Journey – Our day was upon us, the moment the members of Grafton District Scout Band would enter onto the world stage of Marching Show Bands. An early start to the day was helped by a strong clap of thunder heard over Roade and Northampton. All members of the band arrived on time for our short journey by coach to London Luton Airport; departing Roade Village Hall at 04.30hrs.
Please see our slideshow at the bottom of this blog, of pictures taken through the course of first day"
We mingled with the holiday makers jetting off to cooler climates (lol considering the heat wave weather we are enjoying this week) drawing looks of intrigue from passers-by at the size of our band and its youth.
Our flight to Copenhagen went quickly and made more exciting by our Events Manager being able to take over the PA system and introduce the Band to our fellow passengers.
A short delay in being collected from Copenhagen Airport allowed the band to experience its first taste of Denmark. To help the time pass the band showed their true musical talent by playing a number of the band tunes with kazoo’s. Their performances of Let It Go and the Queen Medley received applause from members of the public stood nearby. (Note video coming soon)
First Experience of Denmark – Our journey from Copenhagen airport showed wide open spaces with little areas of housing, schools and shops. The band’s home for the next six days is a large school that is accommodating a number of bands from across Europe. A great playing field right next door will give us plenty of opportunity to practice – we wasted no time this afternoon and went through our routine.
The Competition Venue – The BrØndby Stadion is Copenhagen’s main football stadium with a capacity of 29,000 people. The band gets their lunch and dinner at the stadium in their restaurant and dining facilities. WAMSB, the event organisers have over 3,500 people to feed every day. The actual stadium is a breath-taking sight with high-tiered seating around the whole stadium; that will give the judges and fellow bands a great view of our performance.
The Opening Ceremony: Living the Dream - As we mentioned before, taking part in the WAMSB World Championships was a dream of our Bandmaster – Jane Bailey for many years; following on from her experience of attending the same event with the Northampton Scout Band. Our proudest moment this evening was our Bandmaster and Musical Director representing the band, scouting and our country on the main stage of the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the band were able to meet other competing bands and in true scouting style, we struck up some great friendships and as well as rekindling old friendships too.
We shared photo opportunities with bands from Brazil and Australia and our drummers played the Brazilian band’s Quins drums. Today we met an old acquaintance – Pat – who is part of the support team for the Riverwood Hornets Drum and Bugle Band from Australia. Pat attended the same band camp at Drax in the early noughties (2000’s) with some of the older members of our band.
We also brought together two Bailey families; one from GDSB and other from the Riverwood Hornets Band.
Good Night After a Long Day – After arriving back at our school this evening, the band members enjoyed a late pizza and chips supper and turned in for the night, after a very long day. We are proud of all the band members for their patience today with all the travelling and waiting around for coach lifts. We look forward to Thursday and will bring you the next instalment of this great experience for band members.
Some comments from band members about what they enjoyed on our first day:
"We met the Australian band who gave me a koala teddy bear that attached to my lanyard" - Cub from 1st Roade Scout Group
"I thought it was quite fun when we were wearing the Brazil band's Indian Head Gear and went I got to play their quins (five drums set side-by-side drums that is strapped to you)" - Scout from Daventry District
"Today was the first time I flew on an airplane" - Explorer Scout
Please see our slideshow at the bottom of this blog, of pictures taken through the course of first day"
We mingled with the holiday makers jetting off to cooler climates (lol considering the heat wave weather we are enjoying this week) drawing looks of intrigue from passers-by at the size of our band and its youth.
Our flight to Copenhagen went quickly and made more exciting by our Events Manager being able to take over the PA system and introduce the Band to our fellow passengers.
A short delay in being collected from Copenhagen Airport allowed the band to experience its first taste of Denmark. To help the time pass the band showed their true musical talent by playing a number of the band tunes with kazoo’s. Their performances of Let It Go and the Queen Medley received applause from members of the public stood nearby. (Note video coming soon)
First Experience of Denmark – Our journey from Copenhagen airport showed wide open spaces with little areas of housing, schools and shops. The band’s home for the next six days is a large school that is accommodating a number of bands from across Europe. A great playing field right next door will give us plenty of opportunity to practice – we wasted no time this afternoon and went through our routine.
The Competition Venue – The BrØndby Stadion is Copenhagen’s main football stadium with a capacity of 29,000 people. The band gets their lunch and dinner at the stadium in their restaurant and dining facilities. WAMSB, the event organisers have over 3,500 people to feed every day. The actual stadium is a breath-taking sight with high-tiered seating around the whole stadium; that will give the judges and fellow bands a great view of our performance.
The Opening Ceremony: Living the Dream - As we mentioned before, taking part in the WAMSB World Championships was a dream of our Bandmaster – Jane Bailey for many years; following on from her experience of attending the same event with the Northampton Scout Band. Our proudest moment this evening was our Bandmaster and Musical Director representing the band, scouting and our country on the main stage of the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the band were able to meet other competing bands and in true scouting style, we struck up some great friendships and as well as rekindling old friendships too.
We shared photo opportunities with bands from Brazil and Australia and our drummers played the Brazilian band’s Quins drums. Today we met an old acquaintance – Pat – who is part of the support team for the Riverwood Hornets Drum and Bugle Band from Australia. Pat attended the same band camp at Drax in the early noughties (2000’s) with some of the older members of our band.
We also brought together two Bailey families; one from GDSB and other from the Riverwood Hornets Band.
Good Night After a Long Day – After arriving back at our school this evening, the band members enjoyed a late pizza and chips supper and turned in for the night, after a very long day. We are proud of all the band members for their patience today with all the travelling and waiting around for coach lifts. We look forward to Thursday and will bring you the next instalment of this great experience for band members.
Some comments from band members about what they enjoyed on our first day:
"We met the Australian band who gave me a koala teddy bear that attached to my lanyard" - Cub from 1st Roade Scout Group
"I thought it was quite fun when we were wearing the Brazil band's Indian Head Gear and went I got to play their quins (five drums set side-by-side drums that is strapped to you)" - Scout from Daventry District
"Today was the first time I flew on an airplane" - Explorer Scout
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