The Hot Potato Band are a national big band treasure. With instruments ranging from the sousaphone to a microphone-alternate megaphone, the band has performed at various venues and festivals across the country. On Monday 6 June, PBC was lucky enough to receive a visit from the band. Their flash-mob style entrance into the Q block Theatre didn’t fail to impress, and perhaps inspired some of us to incorporate it into future performances. Stage Band 1 and 2 members participated in a workshop with the crew, virtually sight-reading their original song ‘Mystery Man’. We then performed this alongside the band, in front of Instrumental Music and Music Excellence students and staff. Not only were we inspired to bust a few ‘hot potato’ moves, but 10 students practiced their improvising skills, soloing in front of our own peers.

Two weeks later, we had another performance opportunity for the Gala Day and the Sunset Soiree here at PBC. A group of selected Music Excellence musicians acted as buskers for Open Day, our string players did a fabulous job welcoming the guests to the evening event, and the woodwind quartet continued the music whilst alumni students were reuniting with their peers.

Overall, our experiences this term have almost entirely made up for the two interrupted years of no performances.

Lucy Callaghan & Claire Seaton
2022 IM Band Captains