Sorry for the gap in newsletters...
…one way and another its been a bit of a trying month! Anyhow here is the next one.  

Please read it, TAKE IT HOME and keep it somewhere where you can refer to it i.e. not on the Bandroom floor!!

Band Dinner

This will be at Swinton Leisure Centre on 19^th April, 7.00 for 7.30.  Menus are still being sorted out – see next month’s instalment for details!!  Meanwhile put it in your diary now!  

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 beforehand!

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!  

Meanwhile dig out the party frocks and silly ties and get your dancing feet limbered up!

 Whit-Friday contests

Please remember, you’ll need to be ready to leave Malton about 1.00 on Friday 16^th May! Exact time nearer the day!

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! 

The contest format is that we play an easy 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!

Additional Reheasals for the Area Contest

Please try and make as many as possible rehearsals for this contest – it’s not fair on Nigel (or come to that, the rest of the band) if there are huge gaps in the band at this stage!

Annual General Meeting!

This will be on Monday 7^th April, instead of Band Practice, so you have no excuse for not coming!  There will be a short committee meeting at 7.30 and the meeting for the whole band is at 8.00.

Please make an effort to come; parents of learners (and main band members!!) are very welcome.  It’s your band and the important decisions that need to be made affect you – this is when you have a say in how the band is run!

At the AGM, officers and committee members are elected for the year.  Anybody over 16 can stand for election so if you would be interested in being an officer or on the committee, get yourself nominated and seconded, a list will be up in the Bandroom shortly.  Equally if there are people who you think should be on the committee, ask them to stand and nominate them!

Jumble Sale at Sheriff Hutton

As you know, the Jumblies have now allocated us a date for one of their famed jumble sales.  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 need your help!

Several noble volunteers have come forward but we still need two more people to help serve the refreshments – please let Dorothy know if you can help with this.

Jo Walker and Sue Thornton (Cieran and Tom’s mothers!) have volunteered to run the Tombola – they need lots of small prizes for this!  They don’t have to be big so see what you can rustle up!

Jane is running the raffle and will need prizes for this – she only needs about twelve but they want to be good!

Derek and Marjorie are running the cake stall so they will need cakes delivered to the hall on the day!

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

Of course we need loads and loads of high quality jumble.  Ellis’ family have kindly volunteered to store things in their garage until the day so please get turning out NOW!

Anyone who can help on the day with transporting jumble from Leavening to Sheriff Hutton beforehand (9.30 onwards) and rubbish afterwards will also be very welcome!  Ian and Rachel will be co-ordinating things on the day, so they are the folk to contact!

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!

Birthdays
                                           

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

 A belated Happy Birthday to: 

            Ian                  1^st February
            Maggie          10^th February
            Catherine     12^th February

and an on-time Happy Birthday to:

            Josephine    18^th March
 
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!

Area Contest

The bus will leave Dorothy’s at 8.00 sharp on Saturday 29^th March.  It may be possible to arrange stops along the route to pick up e.g. Broughton Rise and Swinton.  Please let Dorothy know if you would like to be picked up along the route!

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 at Salford University this year, which will actually give you a qualification.  Ask Dorothy for details.

Tip of the month

John Wesley's instructions for singing may be old (1761) and written for singers but they are still relevant for modern brass band players too:

I. Learn these tunes... and sing them exactly as they are printed here without altering or mending them at all ...

II. Sing All. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can ...

III. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength ...

IV. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony ...

V. Sing in Time. Whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it ... and take care not to sing too slow ...

If we can learn to play like this then we’re on our way upwards!