Well Spring has sprung!

The clocks have gone back, we’ve had Easter and the Areas …. and it’s snowing!!!!
Ah well, we’ll just have to hope that things look up from now on!

Band Dinner

This will be at Swinton Leisure Centre on 19^th April, 7.00 for 7.30.  Please get your Band Dinner forms and money to Steve as soon as humanly possible!  If you haven’t got one or have lost it they are downloadable from the website (News page)

Please remember to bring Raffle prizes on the night and if you won a trophy last year, please make sure it is nice and shiny and get it to Dorothy or Steve by April 14th!

It might also be an idea to book taxis now if all your party want to drink!  The dinner will finish at 11.30 and taxis from Malton to Swinton cost around £5 each way! 

 Whit-Friday contests

Please remember, you’ll need to be ready to leave Malton about 12.00 on Friday 16^th May! Exact time nearer the day!  Please do let Dorothy know if you are not available!

We don’t need registered players for these contests so if you know people who would like to play for us do ask them along and give their names to Dorothy! If they don’t live locally we have a pickup point at Birch Services (Westbound) on the M62 at 2.30 p.m. where we will also make sure that we know where we are standing in march formation!

The contest format is that we play an easy road march as we march through each village followed by a contest march 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!

Poster Competition.

YHBBA have decided that it is time that they had a new poster design for Malton Brass Contest so they are offering a £20 prize in a competition to design it.  Dorothy will soon have 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!

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 feel as 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!

Jumble Sale at Sheriff Hutton

As you know, it will be on April 12^th at Sheriff Hutton Village Hall from 2.00 till 4.00.  These events are fantastic fund-raisers but do not run themselves. We still need your help!

Jo Walker and Sue Thornton could still use lots of small prizes for the Tombola, so see what you can rustle up!

The cake stall will need cakes of all kinds delivered to the hall on the day!

The refreshment team will also need vast quantities of small cakes and scones on the day so please be prepared to do loads of baking!

We still need jumble!  Ellis’ garage is full but there is still space in the band trailer at Dorothy’s if you have run out of storage space!  Otherwise bring it on the day.

Anyone who can help on the day with transporting jumble from Leavening and Norton to Sheriff Hutton beforehand (9.30 onwards) and rubbish afterwards will be extremely welcome!

Owing to a last-minute change in my plans, Mike will be on his own with the trailer, so will need some strong helpers to get the full trailer out of Dorothy’s garage and to unload it at the other end! Please give him a ring (692861) if you can help! 

Ian and Rachel will be co-ordinating things on the day, so they are the folk to contact!

Area Contest

Well done everyone for what was a very good performance at Darlington.  Considering the shortage of players we did a fantastic job and our eighth place was very respectable.  Colin Hardy’s remarks will no doubt give us much to work on over the coming months!

Thank you to Susan for coming to help us out, and to all those who really put themselves out to attend extra practices.

Above all, a huge thank you to Nigel for the vast amount of work he put in with us – it has been great fun as well as very worthwhile for us – I hope he enjoyed it too!
 

Birthdays

                                                     

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

Happy Birthday to: 

                         Mike                  3rd April
      
 
As usual to anyone else I have missed – 
Happy Birthday!  

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!

We also really need a second euphonium player – Maggie is getting VERY lonely! – so if you know of anyone who could fill this space let them know we want them!

Easingwold Contest

We are not competing at this contest, but assuming that the weather is good, it is a good night out.  It takes place on Saturday 28^th June starting at 6.00 p.m. and whether you like brass bands, beer or just a sociable evening, it is well worth going to!

Holiday List 

The Holiday List is now up on the notice board.  Please fill in with any dates when you know that you will be away so that Dorothy can try and find players to take your place in advance!  The sooner she can start looking the easier it is for her to ensure we have a full band for all engagements!

Conducting Course

YHBBA are planning to run a day course  this year, which will actually give you a qualification from Salford University.  Ask Dorothy for details.

“Have a go” Day

We are planning a “have a go” day on a Saturday this summer in an empty shop in Malton, to try and recruit players.  The idea is that people can meet band members, listen to some music and have a try on instruments.  We have not got a date fixed as yet, please be prepared to help with this, it should be fun!