Summer has probably been and gone!

So now everyone can enjoy their summer holidays in the brief lull before we get going again!

Good Luck…

…to all those awaiting exam results!  We know you’ll all do brilliantly.
And to those heading off to Uni – we shall expect to see you out carolling getting cold and wet with the rest of us!!

 YHBBA Brass Band Workshop

The annual workshop led by members of Grimethorpe Colliery Band will take place at South Minsthorpe on 25^th October.  I can’t emphasise strongly enough how worthwhile a day this is!  No matter what your experience you will get a great deal out of it.  Great teaching, the experience of playing under a first-rate conductor, making new friends and excellent food – don’t miss it!

And additionally it’s FREE!  A sponsor has come forward to pay the costs of all Swinton members who’d like to go.  So what’s stopping you?

For information and booking forms ask Dorothy or look on www.yhbba.org.uk.

Get Well Soon!

You’ll probably be aware that Tom C. has managed to break his collar bone, and so will be out of commission for a couple of months or so.  We send him best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope he’ll be back with us soon.

Vacancies

If you know or hear of any experienced cornet (or trumpet even!) players looking for a band please try and point them in our direction – the more the merrier!

Of course players on any brass band instrument are always welcome!

Learners’ Group

The Learners will have their first playing jobs for some years in July. As well as playing for Old Malton Garden Fete on 12^th July, they are playing in Malton Market place on the morning of Saturday July 19^th.  Any members of main band who can join them for this will be very welcome!  For learners who have not got band uniforms, please can you wear black trousers and shoes and a white shirt, together with a black jumper or jacket if you have one.

There will be a practice for all those who are playing for these jobs on Sunday 6^th July from 2.00-4.00 p.m.  Please try to be there so that Nigel and Cliff know what resources they have.

The Market Place engagement will be playing outside Hoppers, so space is very limited.  Please leave your instrument cases in the car and be  prepared to stand to play!  If you really MUST have a chair, please let Catherine know!

Spiralling Fuel Prices!

Given the increased cost of fuel, it would seem a good idea to try and economise by taking as few cars as possible to band jobs.  So it would make sense to share cars as much as possible – please be prepared to offer lifts, and if you are given a lift, please try and make a contribution towards the driver’s costs!

This has special relevance to the job at Peasholme.  Parking here is a nightmare and tends to be expensive.  So let’s try and keep cars to a minimum.  If you have a space, offer one! 

Learners’ Group

Well done all those learners who turned out for Old Malton garden fete – it was a really good show.  Sadly the other job had to be cancelled, though given the weather that day it came as quite a relief!

On Saturday 9^th August, there will be lessons as usual but instead of the group practice there will be a session on cleaning and maintaining instruments.  While this is aimed at learners, all band members are very welcome – make sure you know how to keep your instrument functioning and pleasant.

Hoodies…

…have arrived and look really good.  If you didn’t order one and would really like one, don’t despair!  Handleys can do them so let Dorothy know your details.  Because it won’t be a big batch, you may have to wait a bit, while Handleys order in plain hoodies, but it can be done. They will cost £30.00

Hardraw Scar Contest

The bus will leave from Dorothy’s at 8.00 a.m. and will pick up at Broughton Rise and Slingsby.  More details will be available nearer the time.
Do remember to bring warm clothing (hoodies are ideal!) and waterproofs  - it can be very cold and wet and there’s no shelter to speak of!  You will also need to bring lyres for the massed bands playing at the end (marches and hymns).
Please try and keep the last two weeks before the contest clear for extra practices! The bus will leave from Dorothy’s at 8.00 a.m. and will pick up at Broughton Rise and Slingsby.  More details will be available nearer the time.
Do remember to bring warm clothing (hoodies are ideal!) and waterproofs  - it can be very cold and wet and there’s no shelter to speak of!  You will also need to bring lyres for the massed bands playing at the end (marches and hymns).
Please try and keep the last two weeks before the contest clear for extra practices!

Birthdays

                                                     

Ha ha – There is no escape from standing on your chair! 

Happy Birthday to: 

Derek               6^th August
Dorothy           6^th August
Julian               6^th August
Mark                31^st August

      
 
As usual to anyone else I have missed – 

                             Happy Birthday!  

The Character of Brass Band Personnel

(contributed by the Deputy Bandmaster!)


M.D.- leaps tall bandrooms with a single bound,
More powerful than an express train,
Faster than a speeding bullet ,
Supplies holy water to God,
Gives policy to God.

Band chairman - leaps low bandrooms with a single bound,
More powerful than a shunting engine,
Just as fast as a speeding bullet,
Walks on water,
Talks with God.

Comets - leap low buildings with a run up in favourable winds,
Outrun by even British Rail,
Not as fast as a speeding bullet,
Walk on water in indoor pools only,
Talk to God only with special permission.

Euph/Baritones - Barely clear small outhouse,
Lose tug of war with Hornby train set,
Can fire speeding bullet,
Swim well,
Occasionally addressed by God.

Horns - make scratch marks trying to leap small outhouse,
Run over by trains,
Can sometimes handle pea shooter without inflicting self harm,
Dog paddle in calm water,
Talk to animals.

Trombones - run into walls,
Recognise trains two out of three times,
Are not issued with any ammunition of any kind,
Can float if instructed in use of life jacket,
Talk to plants.

Basses - recognise bandroom two out of three times,
Think percussion section sound like train,
Have no concept of speed,
Think water only useful for making beer,
Ask "Who, us God?"

Percussion - fall over doorstep when entering bandroom,
Say "Ooh! Choo - choo!"
Should be shot with speeding bullet,
May drown if unsupervised in bath,
Sit in corner mumbling incoherently to self.

Band secretary - lifts bandrooms and walks underneath,
Kicks trains off track,
Catches speeding bullets in teeth and eats them,
Freezes holy water with single glance...
... she is God!

Black Dyke at the Sage

Tickets have arrived and a bus is booked for Black Dyke’s concert on 1^st November.  Please can you pay Dorothy as soon as feasible. Tickets are £22.50 to include transport.  There are two tickets still available if you’d like to go.  Please see Dorothy as soon as may be if you’d like one!

Availability for jobs

PLEASE, PLEASE let Dorothy know as soon as you know that you won’t be available for a job!  It makes it much easier for her to find replacements if she knows well in advance.  Dropping out at the last minute for any other reason than death is not acceptable!!  OK we’ll accept broken bones, too!

Please check your diaries now with regard to Malton contest – it’s even more difficult to organise replacement players for contests than it is for ordinary jobs.  Let her know now if you have a problem! 2^nd November may seem a long time away but actually it will be here sooner than you think.