Paul Towndrow's Pro-Am Suite

This was the premiere of Paul's Pro-Am Suite for double big band part of the Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme

How fabulous to be part of the excited audience to see two full big bands, the Byres Road Big Band (amateur, directed by Paul) and Ryan Quigley's Big Band (professional) together on the stage of the Royal Concert Hall, and to hear them play brilliantly, a selection of classics and then, in their second set, the newly composed commission, Paul's Pro-Am Suite with its dedications to a number of lesser known heroes of sport, male and female.

So many people have said to us "You must be very proud"; we are, indeed, bursting with delight, but pride suggests we can take some credit; not so. We always reply that Paul has put in all the effort, all the hours, days, nights and years, all the imagination, creativity, technical and people skills, drive and focus to get to this stage in his career. He should be very proud of himself.

Ryan Quigley's Big Band pros were brilliant as ever, but a real "Wow!!!" for the Byres Road Big Band who played out of their skins. What a fabulous experience for an amateur musician to play with the pros in this spectacular venue.

It was quite a night!