Thank you to everyone who helped with the Christmas fund raising; we raised not so far off £2,500 during December, with 2 concerts, 2 Saturdays at Asda, and a carolling evening. This was a fantastic display of team work. Well done everyone! Exam Results
Congratulations to the people below who have passed exams. Not all the results have been received yet, but if you have passed an exam, please e-mail Helen the result for the next newsletter. Registration formsIn order for us to keep the band database up to date, please inform us of any change of address or contact details, moves from primary to high school, or changes of instrumental teachers. Blank registration forms are available at the desk if there are significant changes. We intend to update players’ existing forms rather than re-issue them from scratch this year. Instrument InsuranceIf you use an instrument which belongs to Astley Youth Band, we ask you to pay £15 per year towards the cost of the band’s insurance. This charge applies whether you are an adult or child player, and is per instrument! It is not a lot, considering how much it would cost to hire one elsewhere. Please can we ask that everyone pays their insurance as soon as possible. New Senior Band UniformSenior Band has a new uniform for outdoor informal concerts – black AYB hoodies. These were worn for the first time on the recent tour to Scotland, and are warm and comfy. We are asking for a contribution of £5 towards the cost of each hoodie – (the actual cost is nearly £17 - the band is subsidising them). Hoodies will be worn
for carolling, so if you don’t yet have one, please bring £5 to band,
and see Trish McGougan who will issue you with your hoodie. CommunicationMost of the information and day-to-day communication from Astley Youth Band is sent by e-mail. Please e-mail Helen if you would like to be added to the mailing list, and receive future newsletters and up to the minute information by e-mail. Recruiting new band membersWe would very much like to recruit some new band members this year. We are looking for players of Grade 2 standard and above to join Senior Band, as well as new beginners to join Training Band. If you have friends at school or in your local area who play instruments, please give them a copy of the attached leaflet. If you can think of anywhere to display it, such as schools, shops, libraries etc, please do so. The survival and continued success of the band depends on a constant intake of new players each year. We have plenty of instruments available for band members to borrow free of charge (a contribution of £15 insurance per year is payable). Trumpet for sale
- Was £70, now reduced to £50 Dates for your diaryHalf Term Holiday - There will be no band rehearsal on Thursday 18th February.Saturday 27th February – Concert at Kearsley Mount Church Senior and Training Band. Formal uniform. Arrive 7pm for a 7.30 start. Tickets will be £5 on the door on the night, but band parents can purchase these in advance for £2. These will be on sale shortly at Thursday rehearsals. The concert is being organised by Steve Tonge, our fund-raising co-ordinator, to celebrate the re-opening of the church after renovation. See website http://www.kmmc3c.org.uk/ for directions. Easter Holiday - There will be no band rehearsals on Thursday 1st or 8th April Sunday 18th April – National Youth Brass Band Championships, RNCM The band will compete in the Junior Section of this event this year. We will not have any further details regarding times until after the closing date for entries, which is 8th March. I will provide exact details of the arrangements for the day in the next newsletter. Some band members will be taking part with school and music centre bands as well. The organisers always do their best to try and give players as much time as possible between performances. Please let me know if you are performing with another band as well, so I can give them a list of names and details. Half Term Holiday There will be no band rehearsals on Thursday 3rd June Friday 25th June – Senior Band Concert, Great Hall, Bolton School The 8th annual “3 Bands Concert” with Wigan and Bolton Youth Bands. Further details to follow. Friday 9th July – Annual Prizegiving, Buffet and Disco Tyldesley Rugby Club. Further details to follow. Thurs 26th – Tues 31st August – Possible Tour to Armagh, Northern Ireland. We are currently still exploring the possibility of putting together a 5 night family tour to Armagh. Toby has connections through Foden’s Band with the Armagh Old Boys Band http://www.armagholdboys.com/ and travels there regularly to run a summer school. He has been in touch with a contact over there - Ivor, who has put a proposal together. Steve and I will be visiting Armagh during February Half Term to discuss everything, visit possible concert venues, check out hotel and travel prices, and hopefully we will be able to give you more detailed information after half term. |
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