Well – here we are again…

… and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back into the swing of things! Normal service (i.e. chaos) will now be resumed! I hope you all had a good festive season and are now fully recovered from any hangovers, “lurgies” and over-indulgence.  Meanwhile a belated Happy New Year!

Carolling – Well done everybody!

This years carolling was very successful, considering the appalling weather, the economic crisis and the number of lurgies around. Despite all this we managed the splendid sum of £2033.39.  Given the trul;y awful weather and the number of cancelled jobs this is amazing – well done all!

Thanks to all those who gave up their evening and weekends to get cold, wet and miserable in a good cause!!

Thanks also go to all the parents, grandparents and others who gave up their free time to rattle collecting tins and brave fierce dogs!  You did us proud!

 A. G. M.

This will be on Monday 22nd March, 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!

Birthdays

                                                     

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



Happy Birthday (belated or otherwise) to: 

Mandy               6^th January 
Ellis                       9^th January
Mike C             14^th January
Niamd             15^th January
Ian                       1^st February
Maggie           10^th February
Catherine       12^th February
Tom                  15^th February
Cieran             16^th February



As usual to anyone else I have missed –   Happy Birthday!  

Holiday List

The Holiday List will soon be up on the notice board.  Please fill in absolutely any dates when you know that you will be away that may affect either band practices or engagements.  This helps Nigel to plan practices and Dorothy to try and find players to take your place in advance!  The sooner Dorothy can start looking the easier it is for her to ensure we have a full band for all engagements!

Solo Contest

Yes, I know it’s a long time ahead but do get planning.  This year it will take place on 23^rd October at Swinton Sports Centre. Last year was a fantastic event – hopefully this year will be even better!

TIP OF THE MONTH......

When practising the test piece (or anything else come to that!), don’t waste time “practising” the bits you can play, practice the bits you can’t play – don’t avoid them.  If you have any real problems, don’t be afraid to ask for help from Nigel, or from your section leader (only a few members of band have been known to bite in the past, and never fatally!)

Fundraising

Last years fundraising was amazing – well done all!  Thanks to Tracey for masterminding it all and especially for the “Chocolate Raffle” she held before Christmas, which raised £74.50.

We are going to need to carry on fundraising this year, so ideas and offers of help continue to be needed.  Keep up the good work!

Attention all learners – and anyone else!!

  Steve will be taking a session on instrument cleaning and maintenance on the first Saturday in February at the Bandroom during the Learners group.  While it’s aimed at learners and their parents, main band members are also very welcome.  Poor maintenance can result in expensive damage to instruments so come and learn how to avoid this!

Back to Work!

We have to have extra practices for the Area contests, both sectionals and full band – please try and make any dates that Nigel asks for, available!

Also please try to make the practices constructive – less chatter and more listening would be a good start!

Please don’t throw things around the Bandroom - we don’t  want injuries or damaged instruments!

Band Practice times

Please take note that until further notice Band Practices will run from 7.30 to 9.00 without a tea-break.  This enables the younger members of the band to stay for the whole practice so that they don’t miss out.

 If you feel that you want the extra socialising time with band friends, remember that some of us generally go for a drink at the Blacksmith’s Arms on Wednesdays after practice.  Come and join us!

 The Annual Nag!!

1. Uniform
Now is the time to ensure that all is well on the uniform front.  If your jacket needs cleaning, now is a good time to do it!  Dorothy is going to try and negotiate a bulk price for cleaning jackets if enough people are interested. Your jacket will need to be clearly and properly marked – nametape or similar!

Ties – Dorothy has new ties with the proper band logo on them.  Present her with your old tie (washed and ready to use) and she will exchange it for a nice new one!

Check that you have black trousers and shoes that are clean and smart, and that fit – discovering that your trousers won’t do up on the morning of a contest is not good!  Check too that your shirt is white and your socks are black – neither should be a sad shade of grey!

Check that your band cagoule is in your case (either instrument or jacket) so that it comes to all jobs.  If you don’t have one please let Dorothy know as soon as possible – i.e. NOW!

Dorothy has some band jumpers for sale at the knockdown price of £10.  If you need one please see her!

Make sure that you have a jacket case in good condition and that both it and your jacket are clearly labelled with your full name and that of the band – it’s horribly easy to mislay things at contests.

2. Instruments
Now is the best time to clean out and check your instrument, so you can get it back in tune and in full working order in plenty of time for Darlington. Valve oil is available from Dorothy at a very reasonable price.  There are also some pull-throughs available – if you need one see Catherine.  Any requests for felts, springs etc or maintenance problems – Steve is your man!   If you are uncertain about any aspect of cleaning your instrument come to the Learners’ session on Saturday and Steve will be glad to help!

Please, please, always carry your instrument in a proper case, preferably a hard one, (don’t use gig-bags – especially for larger instruments, they present a real danger of damage and are also easier to pinch).

Don’t leave an instrument visible in a car, and don’t leave it in an unattended car for any length of time.

Don’t ever leave your instrument at school – even if the teachers say it will be safe!

All in all, this can be summarised as STOP & THINK!  Our instruments are valuable – take care of them!

And remember if you want to use your instrument for anything other than Band (Church, School, County Band, depping, whatever!) you need to get permission from the Band Secretary first!

3.  Miscellaneous

Please continue to take care how you park in the village – don’t block drives or park on the grass!

Please try and make it on time for band practices and jobs and show courtesy both to other members of the band and our public!

At the end of a job, be sure to put away your stand, banner, folder, instrument and chair.  Then help to pack the trailer – please!  If you are going to have to rush away, please tell Dorothy in advance!  Offers of help at the Bandroom end are always appreciated!


HERE ENDETH THE NAG (until next time!!!!)

Area Contest

 This year we have an EARLY start as the 4^th section is on in the morning!  The bus will leave Dorothy’s at 6.30 a.m. prompt.  On arriving at Darlington, we have a rehearsal at 8.45  in St Cuthbert’s church.  Our section starts at 10.00 So we have to be available to go on stage then!

Whit-Friday contests

Last year we joined the hordes of bandspeople who made a beeline for Saddleworth on Whit-Friday and had a great night out, although our results weren’t actually very good.  This year we aim to have just as much fun and hopefully do a little better!  Hopefully the weather will be a bit better too – it could hardly be worse than last year!

If you want to do it – and it really is an amazing experience - please remember, you’ll need to be ready to leave Dorothy’s at 12.30. on Friday 28^th May and we’ll probably get back to Malton at about 2.00 a.m.  So now is the time to get the day off work!

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! While we can only play 25 players on the stand we can march with any number – so a bigger band means that people get a chance to listen to some of our performances and get in the drinks!  Last year the band included players coming from all over the country and we’ll hope to see some of them back this year. 

 Assuming we have space we also welcome supporters to come along for an evening of music and merriment! 
This year we are going to ask everyone to make a small contribution towards the cost of the coach as the long booking is a pricey affair.

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!

easyfundraising.org.uk

This is one of the easiest possible ways of getting money for the band.  If you are shopping on line (anything from cat litter to holidays!) do it through this site.  Most online suppliers are registered with it and they have a really good directory of suppliers.  You order through the site and the suppliers give money to Swinton Band!  Something for nothing – what could be better.  At Christmas we received a cheque for £46.10 from them – so get shopping!

Malton White Star Band - Help wanted!

White Star Band is busy recruiting players but are very short at the moment.  Any help would be gratefully received.  If time hangs heavy on your hands and you fancy a blow, you will be VERY welcome at band practices.  These are at their Bandroom on Old Maltongate on Tueday and Thursday evenings at 7.30.  You will be made incredibly welcome!

They will also have various jobs on over the year, and Dorothy will have details of these and of what help is needed.  Please try and help them out if you are asked – they are a lovely bunch of people and have shown willing to help us out often over the years!

Ten Commandments  For Ba(n)d Playing

1. Everyone should play the same piece.
2. If you play a wrong note, give your neighbour a nasty look.
3. Carefully tune your instrument before playing. That way you can play out of tune all night with a clear conscience.
4. If everyone gets lost except you, follow those who get lost.
5. Markings for slurs, dynamics and ornaments should not be observed. They are only there to embellish the score.
6. If a passage is difficult, slow down. If it's easy, speed it up. Everything will work itself out in the end.
7. If you are completely lost, stop everyone and say, “Can we tune?"
8.If the band has to stop because of you, explain in detail why you got lost. Everyone will be very interested.
9. When everyone else has finished playing, you should not play any notes you have left.
10. A wrong note played timidly is a wrong note. A wrong note played with authority is an interpretation.

Smartie Tubes.

Anna has asked me to remind you that as well as the ordinary small Smartie tubes, she now has the big ones available.  You eat the contents and refill the tube with silver – then let her have it back.  What are you waiting for?