SARUM U3A

What do a boghorn, a plumber’s tea chest, a gut rumbler and a sea horn have in common? Answer, Nick Crump, musician and musical instrument maker extraordinaire! In a most amusing lecture, Nick explained how a common or garden water tank, a length of wood, a piece of string and a wooden box make a plumber’s tea chest or double bass; a piece of coiled copper piping , a ship’s loudspeaker horn and a mouth piece in his hands become a seahorn. However the crowning glory of his achievements, his royal flush, has to be the boghorn! Made from a pristine Armitage Shanks toilet bowl and lid, plastic piping, string and a piece of wood, the boghorn, handled with care can be played by two musicians. On these and other instruments Nick entertained us with renditions of Handel’s” Water  Music”, “Shenandoah”, “The Swan” and “Land of Hope and Glory”, whilst explaining the principles behind making sound in different types of string and wind instruments. A serpent, the snake-like bass wind instrument used in orchestras, military bands and churches in the past, recorders including a sopranino, a descant, a treble and tenor, an alphorn, all twelve feet of it! and a trumpet were explained and played expertly by Nick.

How delightful it would be to accompany Nick as he collects the bits and pieces, pans, baths, kettles and washboards etc. How interesting to watch as he experiments with them to make his unusual but very musical instruments. 

This was an informative and very entertaining introduction to our New Year Party. Nick joined us as wine and soft drinks were served by Peter and Joan Tee and tasty buffet food served by Marilyn and Les Hunter, Marilyn Beatie and Maureen Moore. The vote of thanks was given by Peter Blenkinship.