2012 Olympics Ceremonies

On Wednesday, 20th October 2010, the BFBB Chairman and Development Officer attended a meeting about the 2012 Olympics Ceremonies in London. The meeting was organised by VA for principle voluntary arts umbrella bodies and the speaker was Mr Martin Green, Head of Ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic and Para-Olympic Games. Mr Green spoke about three important events; the opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games; the welcome ceremonies for visiting athletes and VIPs from all participating nations and the UK Olympic torch relay.

The opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games:
An announcement was not expected until December 2010 regarding the opening and closing ceremonies. Mr Danny Boyle will determine the artistic content of the opening and closing ceremonies. National umbrella bodies will then be contacted for assistance to provide advice and participants etc. The opening and closing ceremonies will be watched, live on TV by over 1 billion people, therefore, TV companies, principally the BBC, have been involved, and will continue to be involved, with the artistic input. This is important because the organisers want the spectacle to be a showpiece for a TV audience in particular rather than a mere recording of the proceedings. Over two thirds of the opening/closing ceremony is prescribed by the Olympic Committee which involves a parade, lighting the torch etc. and, therefore, has little artistic input. The Olympic Games take place only six weeks before the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which will also have a huge national impact; one of the aims of the opening and closing ceremonies will be to provide a ‘narrative of the entire year’. Rehearsals will take place at 3 Mill Studios close to the venue. Mr Green assured BFBB that there will be plenty of notice regarding requirements for the ceremonies – “no late calls”.

Welcome Ceremonies:
205 countries will attend the games. The athletes and VIPs from all participating nations are welcomed to the games at Welcome Ceremonies – usually several countries at once. These ceremonies will involve the playing of national anthems and flag raising. The plan so far is for120 of these ceremonies to take place over 7 days. This may be an excellent chance for brass bands to get involved with the activities and BFBB will be monitoring progress regarding the Welcoming Ceremonies with a view to as many of our bands being involved as possible.

UK Olympic Torch Relay:
The torch relay will commence on Friday, 18th May 2012. The torch will take 8 weeks to arrive at the Olympic stadium in time for the opening ceremony. It will visit 70 places over night and there is likely to be some kind of event at each of the 70 UK towns/cities/venues that it visits. Local Authorities will be responsible for the events and activities in their own area and it should be the local authority that bands/BFBB will need to contact in order to include local brass bands in their own area’s event. The route will be announced in May 2011. Prior to that, BFBB will contact County Councils in January 2011 as it is intended that the torch will travel through every county in the UK.

Victory ‘Medal’ Ceremonies:
National Anthems are played – usually from a CD – at the Victory or Medal Ceremonies for winners after events. BFBB asked for brass bands to be appointed to make the CD’s, however, the Olympic Committee insists that orchestras produce the CDs.

The meeting was very positive and there should be a place for brass bands at the Olympics; BFBB will continue to look for opportunities.