AFO performed 3 concerts for the National Music Festival in Grahamstown in the space of 16 hours, each of which was better than the one before. The audience loved every second of it, however the faces of the orchestra members would show otherwise as the review of a music critic stated in Saturday’s paper.
The other double bass players and I did not bring our instruments with us so the festival arranged for some to be delivered for us. We came into the room to find four rather large crates being unscrewed. Our basses had been transported over from Johannesburg. They were of good quality and looked fantastic from an audience view. Hopefully they will meet is over in Johannesburg later in our tour.
All the different types of music that we played went over very well. The fast reels and jigs had people clapping along, while the slow airs and laments I am sure had many people almost in tears. Our South African number Kwela was meet with cheers as the audience recognised the melody.
The dancers also amazed the audience, as did our piper Andrew Spence. But the piece that had every laughing was the Hen Mairch Over the Midden, as Mr G and Douglas Clark clucked on stage. Many other of our tunes also had the some participation from the tour parents, as they waltzed and joined us on stage for Auld Lang Syne.
-Hannah
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