October Newsletter

Annual General Meeting
This will take place on Thursday 2nd October and the beginning of rehearsal.  After this there will be a break followed by the rehearsal.  As always, existing committee members will disband then members will be elected/ re-elected.  Currently all present committee members are happy to continue their roles.  This does not mean however that someone else who has a desire for a particular role cannot express their interest and be subject to a band vote.  If you are interested in any of the positions please post the form below before the AGM.  We urgently need some people on the committee to take on the role of publicist, logistics (making sure all equipment gets to concerts and there are people to help set it all up), Catering and social events organiser.  Sal has been doing much of this the last few years and it is a huge task for just one person.  Please, please consider this!!!!  Being on a band committee can be very rewarding, you get your say in running the band and it can look good on your CV!

If you have anything you wish to be added to the agenda for the AGM please fill in the form below.  Anything not requested cannot go on the agenda.

Thank you to all members of the committee for the last year for their hard work and input.  Thanks go also to Bob (Trumpet) for doing the extremely hard job of librarian.

Subs
Subs are a source of income for the band to pay our conductor, pay for hire of the hall, and buy new music and anything else the band needs.  It is important that every one pays on time.  Bev (treasurer) is now offering the option of paying via online banking.  See Bev if you wish to use this method of payment for details. 

Don’t forget if you are an occasional member and do not wish o pay termly subs you can pay £1 a rehearsal.  It is frustrating for the treasurer to ‘chase’ people for their £1s so please do not forget to pay.

If you have any difficulties paying the termly amount (currently £12) at once you can pay £3 a month, see Bev if you wish to do this.

Blackpool Trip
Although the Blackpool trip this year was a success and enjoyed by those who went, the numbers had dwindled from last year.  Please do consider if you would like to go next year as there needs to be an acceptable amount of members to cover all parts.  Also the more people go the less the cost of the coach is to all.  It would be a shame not to go next year as there was a great audience at the park and we were told we were the best band they had had there that season.  As we are planning on doing the National Wind Band Festival again next year (2009) this will be an ideal opportunity to have intensive rehearsal of the pieces we will be playing. There will be a form on the notice board to get an idea who may be interested please put your name on it if you are.  If there are not enough names, this trip will unfortunately be cancelled.

Band Attendance
The band attendance is looking good with a number of new members having joined in the last year.  Please do continue to encourage friends to join especially those who play instruments we are short of.  May I however give you a gentle reminder that after a new recruit has attended a couple of rehearsals and decided to join then they will be required to commence paying subs. 

Web Site
Don’t forget we have a web site (www.westmidlandsconcertband.com).  Information about concerts is posted on there as well as lots of other information and photos.  If anyone has photos they want adding please see Claire or email them to Claire@westmidlandsconcertband.com.  Also if anyone wishes for any announcements to be made or has music related things they wish to advertise email Claire with details.

WMCB 2009
We have recently changed our conductor.  We are honoured that Craig Sproston has agreed to conduct the band.  He has lots of experience and will certainly continue to take the band forward.  As with previous conductors it is the bands decision whether we keep Craig.  At the end of his three month trial there will be the opportunity for members to give feedback and vote whether all are happy for Craig to continue.  In return it is an opportunity for Craig to decide whether to take on the role permanently.  Arthur (Trombone) is happy to continue being a dep conductor when Craig is unavailable.   You were informed recently that Craig will be off for a lengthy period in March due to commitments made before being asked to conduct the band.  This is not the case, Craig will only be off for a few sessions during which time Arthur will step in.

As already mentioned we are going to organise the band to go to the Wind Band Festival again in 2009.  We WILL get at least a silver next year!  As soon as the repertoire is posted on the festival web site for 2009 we will be purchasing pieces and practicing them as much as possible.  The website for the festival for your information is http://www.ncbf.info/ .

Don
We all miss Don very much since he so suddenly passed away.  Soon there will be a memorial concert for him.   We are purchasing a piece of music in his memory.  Dons wife Joan has requested that this be any Mozart piece as Don loved anything by Mozart.  Our musical Director knows of an ideal piece so we shall be ordering it soon.  It is anticipated we shall play this piece at Dons memorial concert.  Detail of this concert will be given out with concert information.

AGM 2008-09-25

Positions on the Committee

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