The Morgan Motor Company has built cars by hand in Malvern since 1909. As a local band, we were delighted to be involved with their centenary celebrations, playing at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August for the Morgan Centenary Festival.
Rain came, as forecasted, on Saturday but didn't dampen spirits, as we performed to a most appreciative audience in the afternoon, premiering a piece composed specially for the occasion, by our own MD, John Swindells.
There's often a one to two year waiting list for prospective Morgan buyers, so the piece, "A Morgan Fantasy", was written in three movements to reflect the ideas of Sunrise over Malvern, setting the scene for traditional production at the factory and receivership by 'The Happy Owner'.
Between performances, the band took advantage of Sunday's better weather to enjoy the rest of the event's exhibitions and entertainment, which culminated in a Night at the Proms with the ESO; Tenor, John Hudson; Soprano, Natasha Marsh; the St Michael's Singers and 20 minutes of fireworks!
Photos by Chris Wilsdon.
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