Our able producers, Ian Holmes, Liz Lane and David Fanshawe, accompanied Wax Digital in the ‘Sound Mixing Room’ – formerly know as Reception to the regular occupants of the School. Sound recording, mixing, playback and appraisal were all carried out here.

The task was then to record 17 pieces of music over the two and a half days. “Quite a simple task?”, one may think, after all surely Aldbourne Band plays 15 pieces in each concert during a 2 hour period. Alas, not as easy as you may think.

Playing and recording brought a whole new discipline for all of the players. From the moment the red recording light, placed at the front of the band, comes on through to the 3 or 5 second silent pause once the piece is finished, absolute concentration and silence are demanded. The smallest of errors, a dropped mute or drum-stick, or noise during the recording or at the end of a piece, can completely ruin a take. This was evidenced by the number of stern looks at the percussion team when a cymbal was left to inadvertently ring at the end of a piece. All unused percussion had to be draped in towels and sheets to prevent reverberation from the music being played in the room.

The anticipation, the need for precision, the stature of the event, the recognition that an error would mean a re-take and the risk of letting down the rest of the team all raised a sense of focus which certainly kept the players on the edges of their seats for the duration of the weekend. And once completed this CD would be the first recording from Aldbourne Band since the late eighties, and hopefully would demonstrate the calibre of the Band, and a natural development in the playing quality over the last 15, or so, years.

The CD was also to be advertised (and sold) nationally, and reviewed against releases from other Bands. From all sides, the need for perfection was paramount.

As the recording took place the editors were listening for errors and reading the musical score to quality in the finished recording - very note was scrutinised, each bar checked and each chord reviewed. Once a ‘take’ was completed Bandsmen would scurry down the corridor to the ‘Sound Mixing Room’ to hear the playback, listen for errors and do that perennial task of self-appraisal (and dare I even say peer-appraisal!). A number of takes for each piece are then recorded, enabling mixing and editing to polish the best takes of each musical piece. Even though at the pre-edit stage, the Band are impressed, and spirited, listening to the playbacks and all the effort seems to be producing a quality result.

The relative ease of recording and quality of playing throughout reflected upon 2 months hard work by the Band and Musical Director to select, rehearse and prepare the musical programme. Recording the tracks concluded by 6pm on the Sunday with the last few takes being completed with ease, with tracks cut onto different CDs and catalogued. Then everyone set to work to return the school to its former state, ready for class to start on Monday morning.

Job done then! - Well not quite. It could be compared to the Ice-Berg effect – where only 10% is visible form the surface.

A large amount of hard work, in the months preceding and following the recording weekend, has been put in by the Band, conductor and producers, and many other people that helped in the making of the CD whom we would like to wholeheartedly thank:

Preparation and selection of music, editing and mixing copies and final production was expertly conducted by Ian Holmes, Liz Lane and David Fanshawe. The final release edition of the CD was cut on 23rd of January (nearly two months after the recording). They have each invested a great amount of time since the recording to finalise the release, a great Thank You on behalf of the Band.

Rob Williams and Richard Hughes produced all the artwork and the accompanying booklet insert that comes with the CD and many of the Band were involved with proof reading material. Accompanying photos came from Alan Watson, The Crown Hotel and the Aldbourne Village Web-site www.aldbourne.org.uk

Advertising and sales undertaken by the Alan Watson and Rob Williams with the help of Aldbourne Post Office as our outlet.

Hungerford School allowed us to use their excellent facilities that were thoroughly suited to the task, if not specifically by design.

Percussion instruments were loaned from Swindon Young Musicians, Marlborough College and Collegiate School – Bristol. Transport was organised by Barnes Coaches.

Refreshment and lunches throughout the weekend was provided by a combination of Sue Jones, Alan Watson and Val Watson, who did a super job of keeping the 35 troops fed and watered, which is no mean feat. Great tea and the sausage rolls were in high demand once word had spread.

Thanks also go to Penny Morgan who made the recording of the CD possible by sponsoring its production.

So if anyone would like to know how to record and publish a CD, we have become old-hands at the task, but be prepared to set-aside many months of your schedule to achieve a quality product.

The only remaining job rests with you, our audience, and excellent value it is too at £10!

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