Music composed and played by East Cambridgeshire musicians will provide the soundtrack to an anticipated community film that will premiere in Ely Cathedral later this month.
A Strange Day at Queen Adelaide tells the story of the war-time university boat races, especially the only one rowed off the Thames, in Queen Adelaide, in 1944, and its diamond celebration event on 2004 – which led to the formation of the Isle of Ely Rowing Club.
The musical soundtrack was recorded on Saturday at the Young People Littleport Recording Studio.
It has been heavily influenced by Mike Bunting’s original Diamond44 Celebration Theme written for piano to support the 2004 event.
Phil and Laurine Green, who are in the process of launching their vocal/keyboard duo, have been working since Christmas on brass harmonies to enrich the fanfare sections.
Phil and Laurine are members of the City of Ely Military Band, which last year recorded a rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. This is used to back the scenes of the 1944 oarsmen returning to Ely after sixty years to meet some of the war-time spectators.
Evocative mood music has been provided by the Ely String Quartet, formed last year. Three original pieces were written by Laura Shipsey (violinist) to accompany some of the more austere parts of the film, particularly the ‘Shadows of War’ section.
The quartet will also be playing live at the Cathedral screening. Other members are Izzy Swinhoe-Standen (violin), Anna Growns (viola) and Csilla Waterfall (cello).They will be accompanied by Geoff Hinkins on piano.
The final musical contribution is from Richard Sullivan, who has written, played and recorded ‘Row, Row, Spaghetti Rock’ for guitar. This music backs the frantic scenes of Isle of Ely Rowing Club crews competing in last summer’s Cambridge City Bumps, a particularly memorable pursuit race.
A Strange Day at Queen Adelaide will show on February 28, at 7pm.
Tickets costing £7.50, are available from Ely Cathedral box office on 01353 660349 or from Burrows Bookshop, in High Street Passage, Ely.
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