HELLO!
I CAN ONLY BEGIN THIS SUMMER NEWSLETTER ONE WAY AND THAT IS BY SAYING A HUGE “WELL DONE AND THANK YOU” TO ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL ACADEMY MEMBERS, THE PARENTS AND RELATIVES WHO TRANSPORT THE YOUNGER MEMBERS TO AND FRO AND NOT LEAST TO STEVE WHO WITHOUT HIS VALUED ASSISTANCE WE COULD NOT PUT THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.
We returned to ‘live’ Academy evenings post Covid last October with a number of control measures in place – remember the open windows, especially when Autumn turned into Winter (more about Autumn/Winter later) and the temperature started to drop? Reminded me of playing Christmas Carols in the snow (have done that more times than I care to remember). The Bell Covers, they were good and it was always fun watching Steve struggling to fit one to his Tuba. Fixing one side and then despairing as he worked his way around the Bell circumference only for the cover to ping off from where he had started!! Nonetheless you all battled on, one and all in good spirit to enjoy great music making in a Covid safe manner, excellent. Open windows were not a problem of late and especially in our penultimate gathering when parts of the country were experiencing 40 plus degree temperatures. However, with the air conditioning units in full swing the Band Room conditions were comfortable and another good evening was enjoyed.
I am very pleased with everyone’s progress and enthusiasm, your fine progress has meant that we have been able to work with fun and challenging pieces and they do sound good. So the trick now is to keep practising over the Summer Holidays. Super to have two drummers on board as well, percussion adds so much to our music. For those that were at the final evening, I did give out some holiday work and additionally, I have sent out some music dots to several members. If you need some tunes/exercises then adult members, Mums/Dads of younger members should just drop me a line and the material will wing its way to you.
WE RETURN TO BEGIN THE AUTUMN TERM ON -
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – WE RETURN TO ACADEMY ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER THE 6TH (BEGINNER BRASS AT 6PM – TRAINING BAND AT 6.30PM).
A SUMMER TERM OF GREAT MUSIC -
All playing members have worked hard with some fantastic music during the Summer term, the pieces are all sounding great, well done and hopefully you have spare copies with you at home to practise during the Summer break. If you have forgotten to take a copy home of something you would like to practise then just a quick email or phone call (via parents in the case of young members) to me and I will get a copy/copies to you.
Don’t forget to let me know if you have any particular music that you would like to play at the Academy. Quite by default as opposed to design, the introduction of the ‘Great Escape’ theme music prompted one member to say that they really enjoy military music. I have also received requests for Sousa’s famous march ‘The Liberty Bell’ and this I am currently arranging in readiness for next term. Fred Jones Part 2 by Ben Folds is another request and I will be working to see if I can arrange a version of this for us to play, wonderful music. Carol of the Bells was requested at the final rehearsal of the Summer Term; this is already arranged for the Academy and this year I would like to include an opening using the Tubular Bells so ‘on stand by’ percussion section, your moment of Festive Glory approaches!! The Beatles' medley of tunes has been fun to play and in the final two weeks of term, Vivaldi’s Autumn and Winter from the Four Seasons has been a good contrast to put into the mix. Anyone still at Primary School will benefit from their school music lessons by playing such a wide range of music at the Academy. The new music curriculum introduced in 2021 quotes giving children the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a wide range of music from Bach to the Beatles.
RECRUITMENT -
A frequently used term here at Gillingham Imperial Silver Band, ‘Recruitment’ – players and beginners are required across the whole range of groups from Main Band to Beginner Brass – we need to boost our numbers! I have stood down from the Main Band primarily to afford quality time to recruit lots (hopefully) of new Academy members. Having said this I did go along to help out a Main Band ‘Sixtet’ in the Meadow on Saturday the 16th July where we played several sets of music during a very hot day and armed with hosepipes (no water), funnels, mouthpieces and a number of spare instruments for interested passers by to try. ‘A worthwhile and enjoyable’ day was the statement from this venture. Publicity and getting out and onto the street is a valuable recruitment tool and the plan does not stop at the Meadow. Following the Meadow event we sent a very informative article plus additional information and photographs to the Blackmore Vale Magazine (BVM) and fingers crossed some of this information will be in the next BVM edition due to hit the streets Friday (5th August). A big thank you to Tom, Mary, Hugh, Steve and Lawrence who worked and played tirelessly that day in soaring temperatures. Also thanks to Steve’s son Alasdair who produced some excellent flyers, just what we need Alasdair, colourful, eye catching and professionally put together, thank you.
Thank you also to Clare (one of our enthusiastic parents) who is kindly going to sift through some information I have sent to get a mention on the Gillingham Dorset page. I know I have said it before but I will just repeat my plea for all to help increase numbers. Often, ideas from outside of the Band Committee are interesting and exciting and why not parents come along and learn an instrument? There have been many family groups in the Academy and Junior Bands of the past. Loads of advantages such as only one journey on a Tuesday evening, playing duets/trios at home during the week. I am planning to contact all primary schools in the area as we did in 2017 when I wrote to the three Gillingham Primary Schools and as some will recall, we took a Main Band Ensemble into both Gillingham and St Mary’s primary schools to present a mini concert for the children (and staff) which I then followed up with Brass Workshops and information out to parents to promote the Academy. All of this work is worthwhile in getting numbers back and up to a healthy level and although it might appear a long way off, in reality, it is not, the Gillingham Imperial Silver Band Centenary is in 2028, let us make this a target to regenerate the band and if we achieve it before then all well and good!
SAFEGUARDING -
I thought that a few lines on safeguarding would be useful in explaining that all we do here at Gillingham Imperial Silver Band is totally in accordance with important safeguarding protocols. I will be sending out an electronic copy of the Band Safeguarding policy with this Newsletter for you all. It is revised annually with the most recent revision being in January of this year. The Band has a Safeguarding Officer in place and those of us who are engaged in working with the Academy are all Disclosure Barring Service - DBS (Enhanced) checked for the Band through our membership with Brass Bands England. We observe Child Performance Licensing and will apply for a Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) through Brass Bands England. I list below those of us who are DBS checked and our roles within the Band -
⦁ Steve Ingham (Tuba, Academy Assistant and Chairman) – DBS checked
⦁ Elizabeth Ingham (Eb Horn, Safeguarding Officer) – DBS checked
⦁ Marcus Adams (Cornet, Academy Tutor/Coach) – DBS checked
⦁ Musical Director (position currently vacant) – DBS checked
All of the above receive Safeguarding Training. Steve and Elizabeth attend a two yearly Brass Bands England Safeguarding course and I receive annual training from both of the schools where I teach brass. Additionally, a module of my Dip’. ABRSM brass teaching course with the Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff covered safeguarding.
ANOTHER DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – GRIMETHORPE BAND CONCERT -
Saturday 1st October. 7.30 pm. The Yeovil Octagon Centre. If you have never attended a Championship Band Concert then here
is your chance to do so. Grimethorpe was formerly known as the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and after the closure of the Mine in Barnsley, there was a concern that the Band would cease to exist but thankfully the Band is still on the road to this day. You may have seen the film ‘Brassed Off’ starring the great Pete Postelthwaite and Mr Carson from Downton Abbey (actor Jim Carter) amongst other famous names. The film is based on the story of this band and the worrying times as the closure of Grimethorpe Colliery approached. The Band usually play a few pieces from that film such as the famous William Tell Overture, March of the Cobblers and Danny Boy to name just three. Parents, please note the film does contain strong language so the kids may have to wait a few years before watching it. Anyhow, back to the Concert, highly recommended, treat yourself!!
BAND TREASURER -
The Band is still in need of a Treasurer so if anyone out there is interested then do please drop me a line, thank you.
LOOK FORWARD -
Well, we might have only just closed down for the Summer, but I am already looking forward to the Autumn term. Just to recap from earlier, if there is a piece of music you would like to play then do let me know and I can check our band library, my library or arrange it if we cannot source already published dots. Favourite pieces can include Christmas music as we shall be looking to enjoy festive songs from just before half term in October. I am already arranging a few new Christmas pieces.
If the Main Band can muster enough players to present a Christmas Concert, I would like the Academy to play a few numbers. We can merge the Training Band and Beginner Brass and do a good job if the Summer term is anything to go by. Although I have not suggested it to Committee yet, a Christmas Coffee morning in December at the Band Room with the Academy playing would also be fun! Mums, Dads and adult players get honing your baking – Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls come to mind!!
Let’s have some good attendance during the Autumn term and I do understand there will be some evenings that all cannot make but if you are not going to attend, please remember to give me or Steve as much notice as possible that you will not be in. That way we can tailor the sessions for fewer players if needs be. Brilliant, and that I think is it for now. I have summarised some key dates below for your diaries. Have a great Summer, recharge your batteries and see you all in the Autumn!!
KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY -
⦁ Tuesday September the 6th – Academy begins the Autumn term – 6pm Beginner Brass and 6.30pm the Training Band
⦁ Saturday October the 1st – Grimethorpe Band at the Octagon, Yeovil, 7.30pm
Marcus Adams (Academy Tutor/Coach)
07977 262805