Things are looking up!

Summer seems to have arrived along with the Director of Music!  We have a full Learners’ group and Summer Programme!  Have Fun!

Welcome!

A big welcome to Nigel as he takes on the job of Musical Director.  It came as a wonderful surprise when he announced his decision to take us on at the Band Dinner.  We have greatly enjoyed working with him for Malton and Darlington and look forward to continuing the good work!

Whit-Friday contests

The bus will leave Dorothy’s at 12.00 prompt on Friday 16^th May and will probably get back in the wee small hours of Saturday morning!

You may well want to bring a pack-up and/or snacks to sustain you, though we will aim to stop for something more substantial (fish and chips or similar) at one of the villages.  Plenty of bottled water or soft drinks are also a good idea – that is of course in addition to any beer or whatever you may consume in village pubs!

The contest format is that we play an easy road march (Wallace and Gromit) as we march through each village followed by a contest march (Castell Coch) on the “bandstand” We need to do at least 6 contests to get an overall placing but there is usually plenty of time for a drink and to chat with other bands while we wait to play.  It’s a fun night out and something everyone should experience sometime!

Remember to bring waterproofs, jumpers (it can be very chilly as the evening draws on!) and lyres!

Poster Competition.

YHBBA are offering a £20 prize in a competition to design a new poster for Malton Brass. Dorothy has details of exactly what information needs to go on the A4 poster and when designs need to be submitted.  Meanwhile, all you budding graphic artists, get thinking!

Learners’ Group

The Learners group is doing very well with a good number of new learners starting and with several of its members moving up into main band.

As the Learners’ group needs teachers rather than pupils, it has been decided to postpone the proposed “Have a Go” day for the present.

The Learners will have their first playing job for some years in July when 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!

Uniforms

Before the summer season gets going, please can you check whether your jacket still fits!  If you or your jacket appear to have shrunk, please tell Dorothy who will try to get things sorted out!  Of course they will never fit perfectly but we might as well look as smart and comfortable as we can!

Also be sure you know where your band waterproof is and that it comes to all jobs – by the look of things we’re going to need them!

As well as ensuring you have a well-fitting jacket, a tie and a waterproof, please make sure that you have a suitable lyre and know where it is (preferably with your instrument!!)

Folders etc.

Please look after your folders and try and keep them in some sort of order.  Music is horribly expensive and you don’t want to know the price of new folders!  

I have ensured that everyone has a copy of all the music, so please don’t lose it, eat it, lend it to somebody else or leave it scattered about the Bandroom floor – I have better things to do than pick up after you!

Band Dinner

This was the first time we have held it at Swinton Leisure Centre and it was a great success!

We had a splendid meal which was followed by the award of trophies , a raffle and the disco.

Congratulations to the worthy trophy winners:

Senior Award –  Mike
Senior Attendance – Anna
Rollinson Award – Ellis
Junior Award – Josephine
Junior Attendance – Josephine
Learner Attendance – Niamdh
Best Learner– Thomas C.

The coveted tiepin for the most striking tie was awarded to Ed.

Many thanks to Steve for organising it and to Dorothy for all the background work she put in!

Jumble Sale at Sheriff Hutton

A big well done to all those who helped in any way with the jumble sale – we raised a record amount which will help to keep the band solvent for a bit!  Thank you all very much indeed!

Band Instruments

Has anyone got any band instruments at home?  If so can you please let Dorothy know and return all but the one you are using – she is sorting out an inventory of the band’s instruments for our insurers and there are still some unaccounted for!

Birthdays

                                                     

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

Happy Birthday to: 

                         Megan                  6th May
      
 
As usual to anyone else I have missed – 

Happy Birthday!  

Committee meeting Thursday 8^th May 7.30 p.m.

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!