Notts alumnus bringing Massed Bands spectacular to RCH

She’s already produced two of the biggest Royal Navy musical events at two of the world’s most iconic venues in London with the world’s finest military band, is a skilled stage pyrotechnician, talented musician and gold medal archer….. and now, thanks to Royal Marine Band Colour Sergeant Claire Walsh, who is Nottinghamshire born and bred, the Royal Concert Hall is one of only six UK venues to be included on this month’s first-ever Band Tour of The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines!

As the RM Massed Bands’ busy production manager, Claire – who grew up in Kirkby-in-Ashfield – was determined during the early planning stages of the inaugural Band Tour that her iconic local auditorium should not miss out.

She is now hard at work with preparations for the performance in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities on Friday 15th September 2023 to which, she says, family, friends and former school-buddies eagerly snapped up some of the first tickets.

The musical spectacular will be on the scale only ever before seen at the Massed Bands’ annual sold-out performances at the Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM) in London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Claire comes from a large musical family and went to Hucknall National Secondary School (now the National Church of England Academy). She attended the West Nottinghamshire Music School and, together with her sister, played in the County band before going on to join the RM Band Service 29 years’ ago, specialising in playing the saxophone and violin.

Even with ten years’ production experience, that has included delivering large MFM concerts and the famous Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, it is no easy task organising and setting up such this autumn’s complex tour.

Over 70 musicians will be on stage at any one time including the world-famous Corps of Drums, buglers, and singers from the inspirational Music Man project.

The Massed Bands take all their own equipment with them, so planning the transport and setting up of the specialist lighting, sound, screens and the overall responsibility for the stage management at multiple back-to-back venues on this first-ever tour has thrown up all sorts of difficult logistics to overcome.

“The Royal Concert Hall is the biggest of the six venues we are playing at for this inaugural Band Tour,” says Claire. “It has great acoustics so we are all looking forward to a fantastic concert. It’s in a great location in the heart of Nottingham, which is so convenient for concert-goers, however its central location with tramlines running right past the front of the Hall will pose something of a challenge.  

The Royal Concert Hall is the biggest of the six venues we are playing at for this inaugural Band Tour.”

“We won’t be able to get our big trucks too close so will have to organise a shuttle service to get all the equipment on-site.  I will certainly heave a sigh of relief when it’s all safely in place. But it will be wonderful to be back home!”

Tickets for the other five concerts at what are slightly smaller venues have already sold out, however there are tickets still available for the Massed Bands’ first ever concert in Nottingham https://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/events