A FORRES composer is set to play in front of an estimated televised audience of a billion people when he performs at the opening of the 2012 Olympics.
The whole world will be a stage for Forres-born conductor Sandy Smith and his Grimethorpe Colliery Band as they parade around the Olympic Stadium during tonights event to be screened at 9pm.
"I won’t be nervous," he said. "I’ve done national anthems at Wembley where the crowd went mental so I can handle it."
Sandy has played with the band since 2000 during a long career in music which has seen him win international awards and tour all over the world.
Grimethorpe Colliery Band gained international fame after the release of the film ‘Brassed Off’, starring Ewan McGregor and Pete Postlethwaite in 1995. They won a BAFTA award for the soundtrack and have been in worldwide demand ever since.
Olympic opening ceremony chief organiser and film director, Danny Boyle, approached Sandy earlier this year and asked if the band would like to contribute to the Olympic theme tune and perform live on the night. Sandy did not hesitate in saying yes and the band interrupted their UK tour to record Olympic compositions at Abbey Road Studios.
They have also been practicing in secret at the London Olympic Stadium in the weeks running up to the event that will be watched by his mum in Forres ... and the rest of the planet.
"I know it’s going to be spectacular," said Sandy. "Performing there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I’m going to grab with both hands."
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