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Newsletter
Back8th March, 2006 - March Newsletter
Solo / Group competition
A Solo and Group competition will be held on the 29th of April in order for the members of every band to have a chance to perform, either as a soloist, or part of a group.
Soloists will be grouped by band. CD and piano accompaniment are allowed. The bandleaders are currently looking into the possibility of hiring a pianist for the afternoon, but if not, Paul Benyon and Adam Cable are available, as long as they receive the music prior to the day!
We really want to encourage Group performances this year, and therefore have decided that players may play in as many groups as they like (duets, trios, quartets, etc). The groups will be assessed by the bandleaders prior to the competition, and placed into specific sections
when all entries have been received.
Norwich Entertainments Contest
The band have decided to enter the Norwich Entertainments Contest this year. From the interest we�ve had from players we will be entering one band into �A� section. As a proportion of Main Band members have shown an interest, we have decided to hold rehearsals for this from 8-9pm on Friday evenings leading up to the 7th of May. It is also planned that a couple of Saturday rehearsals will also be scheduled depending on the progression of the pieces. Just to clarify, the format of the Entertainments Contest is such that we will be performing for around 20 minutes, and the set of music played will include a hymn tune, and a selection of lively pieces.
Adam
Main Band Auditions
The Main Band have two spaces for players becoming available soon:
EUPHONIUM and TROMBONE. If you would like to audition for either of these seats please let Bruce or Matt know as soon as possible - we are hoping to hold auditions late March/early April. Auditions will take their usual format - scales (read, not from memory - don't worry!), a piece of your own choice, and a piece of sight reading. Please do not worry about the auditioning process - we are all friends, have all been through auditions, and will try to make it as painless as possible! It would be great if you could let us know if you intend to audition by 17th March.
Matt
SAFE Training
Your bandleaders and committee members will be attending a SAFE (Safer Activities for Everyone) training course on Saturday April 22nd at St Michael�s. The course is run by the Safeguarding Children�s Partnership. The training is appropriate for anyone working with young adults and children. The training will last about 3 hours and is open to those over the age of 18. It is possible we may have a few places available, so if any band members or parents would be interested in joining us please speak to me on a Friday evening at band practice or e/mail me at [email protected].
Colin
Wednesday Night Practices
Just a reminder for everyone that on Wednesday nights Martlesham Brass have a practice at Beacon Hill Primary School in Martlesham, 7 - 8.30pm.
This is a great opportunity for everyone to get an extra practice in a week, as well as play some different music in a different kind of Band. The Band on a Wednesday is a mixture of Main Band, Intermediate and Preliminary Band members, it is a fun practice where we play a range of music. The more we all play every week the faster we progress, and as anyone who plays regularly on a Wednesday as well as a Friday will tell you, the extra practice can make a great deal of difference.
The Wednesday Band have a budget to buy some new exciting music suitable for such a mixed Band, and it really is fun to play some different music away from your usual Band. The more people we have turning up on a Wednesday the more scope we have to play more and more diverse music. Also, if there are any pieces who would like to try playing on a Wednesday, please let a Band Leader know and we will do our best to bring it along.
If we are getting regular, bigger attendances along on a Wednesday the hope is that we can give the Wednesday Band a couple of engagements a year. If you have any questions about, or ideas for, the Wednesday Band please talk to your Band Leader. So, get yourself along on a Wednesday, come and have a play through some fun, different music, and see what you think!
Matt
News from your fundraising committee
What an exciting year we have planned, as some of you may be aware it is Martlesham Brass�s 10th Birthday this year and we intend to celebrate in style!
You should already be aware of our concert dates for this year, in addition to those we have decided to organise a free 10th birthday summer concert on the village green by the church instead of our summer fayre. The fayre has been a huge success over the years but we felt this year it would be a nice idea to encourage family and friends to join us in a chilled afternoon on the green followed by our usual evening family BBQ. This event is to be held on Saturday 17th June.
We also intend to organise a family car treasure hunt, an alternative talents evening and have a huge birthday party in September. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for confirmation of dates and venues.
Can you help us?
We will still be organising a grand summer raffle, so far we have secured a first prize of £100! But many more prizes are required. Do you have any useful contacts or work for an organisation that could donate a prize? If you do we would love to hear from you ASAP.
If you have any ideas/comments please do not hesitate to catch Jayne Howlett at band (euphonium player in main band) or email her on [email protected].
Jayne