Around the Horn by Frank Downes: Chapter 1

Paula Downes reads her Grandfather and Andrew Downes' father Frank's book, Around the Horn, which tells the story of the Classical Music Industry from the point of view of a professional Horn player. Born 1921, died 2005, his fascinating orchestral career spanned the demise of the silent cinema, municipal seaside orchestras, the RAF Central band during World War II, orchestral playing in pre and post-war Britain, and the rise towards a Royal title for the Birmingham Conservatoire. Chapter 1 tells of his life in industrial Walsall and his lucky fortune to have parents who encouraged him and his 9 siblings to learn instruments in their tiny house on a noisy street. This episode ends with Andrew Downes' Overture, Towards a New Age to depict the industrial Black Country since it was commissioned for the 150th Birthday of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.