Recently, the Simon Balle Big Band performed at the switching on of the Hertford Lights by the Christmas Tree.

For me, the event was an inspiration. I was really, really worried about how the band would take the appalling acoustics where no one can hear anyone else. Would it rain? Would we make fools of ourselves?

I was a fool to worry. The band were incredible. Not only did they turn up on a day off, they listened, they were a team, they adapted, they danced with Santa, they played so well.

The highlight was the crowd. The Big Band is a little bit of an institution at the lights extravaganza. We've done this for....mmmm... 14 years I think. Parents, families, so many alumni, alumni families, our community, current musicians and so on were there, expecting us to be there. An incredible crowd of support. We had fun, some parents heckled (such fun!) and together, as Team Music past and present (and possibly future), we celebrated the Hertford Lights switch on and the Simon Balle Big Band.