The Beecham story Sir Thomas Beecham conducted the DCU No idea of the year, but probably pre-war. [We're hoping to find in the archives the concert when Sir Tommy Beecham conducted the DCU.]  Anyway, the choir sang in the old Drill Hall, which, as the name tells, was a rather basic place for young soldiers to be put through their paces in drilling. "By the left, quick march!" and all that.    Beecham was to conduct and came for the afternoon rehearsal. The then chairman of the DCU apologised for the rather basic venue, but the great man replied, "Nonsense, my boy! It's a marvellous hall, marvellous!"  Courtesy of Peter Haslam

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