We enjoyed a wind ensemble concert

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We went to a concert last night given by a wind ensemble. A niece, her brother-in-law and his son were all involved. The son plays a French horn and is in the foreground of the photo. The others played clarinet on the night although they are all skilled on other instruments as well. The programme comprised film music written by either Hans Zimmer or John Williams. The French horn consists of 12–13ft (3.7–4m) of tubing, though there is extra tubing for the valves. The tubing is coiled ending a flared bell. The opening and closing of sections of the tubing by means of valves creates notes of different pitch. Placing the hand inside the bell allows minute adjustments to the pitch. As the bell faces backwards, the sound is perhaps more subdued than the more piercing tone of the trumpet. The photo is one of a number taken by Vince at the request of our niece. The French horn player will be visiting us in Ireland. He is spending about three months overseas.