UNUSUAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE - 1968

An unusual performance of improvised avant guard music took place in the school hall in 1968 with the special permission of John Askew, head of music. There was no audience! The participants were (L to R): Adrian Gaggs (bongo and snare drum), John Gill (Producer), Steven Ottner (cello played with drum stick), John Westmoreland (tape recorded electronic sounds) Paul Finnie (fishing rod).

I have to correct the assertion on this photo that there was no audience. We did have an audience, and quite a large one - who sat there in total disbelief and stunned silence. At that time there used to be regular lunchtime performances by the musical gifted and talented. A few of us with neither talent or skills in music did develop an interest in avant garde music (Adrian Gaggs being the leading figure in this) and were encouraged by a music master prepared to embrace the unconventional. We did not take ourselves too seriously but did try to put on the appearance of being serious. This facade almost collapsed at one point in the concert when Adrian Gaggs wander back onto the stage under an umbrella carrying a radio which was tuned to the Archers. Adrian was a fan of the Archers and saw no reason for the concert interfering with his listening. At that point I started to crack up but picked up a newspaper (don't all musicians have a copy of a newspaper to hand in a concert?) and hid behind it until I could regain my composure. It would be interesting to hear from a member of the audience that can remember back that far.

I write having read the piece about the unusual music performance 1968 and the additional note from Steven Ottner. I too remember being in that large afternoon audience and remember the performance being called something like 'Tri-Cot-Om'.

Can't remember much except lots of banging and other strange noises, but then it was better than double maths!

I'll never forget the embarassed look on John Askew's face when at orchestra practice on the following Friday lunchtime he noticed a crack on my(the School's) 'cello.Asking me how the hell it had happened, I had replied that it had looked like that when I had taken it out of it's case.He was just about to lay into me in his own inimitable way when he realised, or, should I say, had a bloody good idea how it had happened! He then stormed off in his own inimitable manner!

Regards
Bruce(Jock)Cameron 1964 starter.

Photograph from the John Westmoreland Collection