Lessons learned by a brass band novice

When playing Christmas carols in the high street in near freezing temperatures remember the following ...

• Wear at least one more layer of clothes than you think will be necessary. Or better still, two.
• Do not wear fingerless gloves. If you do, put another pair of proper gloves over the top.
  
• Two pairs of socks is not enough.
• Three hours is a very long time.
• Try not to think about mulled wine, warm mince pies, log fires and restorative tots of brandy. It only makes you feel colder.