Piers talked to us today about the 3 big occasions of his career! The funerals of the
Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles.
Each occasion had unique challenges, firstly the duke’s
funeral took place during the COVID lockdown in St
George’s Chapel Windsor instead of at Westminster
Abbey. Social distancing was a nightmare in the smaller
spaces available.

In 2022 Queen Elizabeth passed away and Piers had the major responsibility for the
musicians following the gun carriage. Rehearsals took place at 2am after long days
of other preparations and the Major General in charge was very clear they “Do not
get it wrong” although that is the polite version, and get it wrong they did. Thankfully
on the day it was perfect.

Piers final major event was to be the coronation of King Charles. Piers had charge of
the trumpeters in Westminster Abbey perched high up in the organ loft on
scaffolding. Piers as conductor had a very tight space to stand to the side of the
trumpeters wedged between masonry and a TV cameraman. He had to tell the
cameraman to move his camera!

I think we were all impressed by the amount of work and preparations we heard
about, the behind-the-scenes activity is astounding and the vast amount of personnel
involved takes a great deal of managing. Imagine the relief when it all goes
according to plan!