Being the musical director of High Voltage Performing Arts (HVPA) is a most wonderful hobby. And yes, it is a hobby.
All of our staff, myself included, do all of this work voluntarily.
One of the most amazing things about our organisation is its flexibility and adaptability when it comes to the styles of music we play. We have always had the attitude of 'yes, we can do that' rather than 'no, that's not what we do'.
When I formed the organisation back in 2011, the intention was just to play a combination of big band, swing, jazz and blues.
In fact, we started out as High Voltage Big Band. We planned to focus on music by the likes of Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller and more.
We got up and running, learnt some music and played some concerts, and all was great.
We were then approached and asked if we could play at a community event in a local church.
Knowing that the big band jazz music would not be appropriate, I set to work to write arrangements of some popular hymns.
We ended up learning 10 hymns in just three of our weekly rehearsals. The event went off perfectly and a new precedent was set.
A while later, we were asked to perform at another event, but the performance space was limited. There was no way they could fit a 30-piece band in.
Again, we adapted.
Knowing that we had to use fewer players meant that we couldn't really play the big band music to our usual standard.
Again, I went to work, this time to create a number of arrangements of pop songs from the 1950s right up to current chart hits.
They went down a storm, and we have continued to expand on this pop repertoire, which we call our MegaBlast set.
Since then, we have continued to evolve and adapt as required.
Whether it's classical music for Last Night At The Proms, bugle calls for Remembrance Day or traditional German music for Oompah Nights, we just make it work!
We can comfortably switch from a 17th century hymn to New York, New York to Mr Brightside without batting an eyelid.
So, if you play an instrument and you feel that this variety of music is something that you would enjoy, why not come along and join us?
HVPA meets weekly on Monday nights from 7.30pm to 10pm at the Ripple Centre, 121–125 Ripple Road, Barking, IG11 7FN.
For more information HVPA, please visit: hvpa.org.uk or email us at: info@hvpa.org.uk.
- Steve Lees is the musical director of High Voltage Performing Arts.
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