Passionate Rusty Player’s Orchestra provide ‘sunshine’ in stormy weather performance

Through rain or shine, the hardy Rusty Player’s Orchestra members play on – as they proved during stormy weather at a tempestuous outdoor gig.

Black Country and South Birmingham Rusty Players came together to perform at Walsall Arboretum on Sunday July 20 on what was supposed to be a joyful summer performance in the sunshine. Yet on the day, the Met Office forecast thunderstorms and rain lashed down as members set up in the bandstand.

Undeterred, the amateur musicians braved the stormy weather and were so enthusiastic that it only encouraged them to play harder and louder for members of the public watching on in the rain at the beauty spot.

Led by The Rusty Player’s conductor and musical director Julian Powell under some cover in the bandstand, they were still able to produce a “beautiful sound”. Their repertoire included a variety of pop, show and film tunes, although Singing in the Rain wasn’t on the set list.

Laura Williams, who plays with South Birmingham Rustys, said: “When the heavens opened and the rain battered down, that just gave us more encouragement to play well. Although the weather was not promising, we brought the sunshine to Walsall in our playing.

“The audience that was there were very encouraging and appeared to enjoy the pieces we played. Despite the weather, everyone who played seemed to be very upbeat and invigorated after the performance.

“Julian is an amazing Musical Director who puts so much effort into getting us to sound brilliant and to keep together while playing too. He gives us the assurance we need for every piece we play.

“I’d never played at Walsall Arboretum before, but this felt like a special place – in spite of the wet weather!”

Known affectionately as The Rustys, the community group of people who want to reignite their passion for playing music is part of The People’s Orchestra(TPO) and The People’s Show Choir family. They all put on free summer concerts across the country for the community to enjoy. Walsall Arboretum was one of many taking places, you can see all the other events coming up here.

Sheila Kendrick, who plays Tenor Saxophone, is one of the newest members to Black Country Rustys and the soggy performance didn’t put her off.

“We had a fun afternoon,” recalled Sheila. “It was lovely to play with members from both ensembles and although the audience was smallish, they were hardy and we only had to rush under a tree or umbrellas once during the concert – due to a heavy shower and one clap of thunder.”

Sheila said the Rustys concert began with wartime favourite, American Patrol by Glenn Miller, and was followed up by songs from Walt Disney favourite Aladdin and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as well as two film classic tunes of the Dambusters March and a medley from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly from Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable soundtrack.

After a break, the music was just as eclectic, ranging from a James Bond Medley, a rousing rendition of Louis Prima’s 1956 jazz, swing Jump, Jive and Wail, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, a medley from Disney’s The Lion King and I’m a Believer by the 1960’s teen heartthrobs the Monkees, before ending on a Glenn Miller medley.

“The Glenn Miller medley was mine and my fellow Saxophone player’s favourite,” added Sheila. “I have only been in the Rusty Player’s Black Country ensemble for a few weeks’, but everyone made me feel very welcome from the start.

“Now that we have two gigs under our belt, I feel like a member of the family.”

If you play an instrument, however long it has been since you last played, and like the sound of The Rusty Players, find out more about joining your local group here, including details of a two week free trial.

Black Country Rusty’s meet at Bilston People’s Centre in Excel Church on Tuesday nights from 7pm – 9pm during term time, while South Birmingham Rusty’s meet in the Dance Studio at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Edgbaston on Monday nights from 7pm – 9pm during term time. Rustys is all about the enjoyment of playing music but also making new friends and having fun.