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Our principal conductor is David Thomas G.R.S.M., A.R.C.M., Cert. Ed.. David received Professional
Music Training, and taught for over 20 years at a High School close to his home
city of Hereford, England. You can see a most
unflattering picture or two of David by clicking here.
If you wish try looking at his own
website. The band has
an Associate Conductor, Leigh Phillips BA Mus., who lives and works in South
Wales. He is Head of Music in a Sixth Form College, and also is very busy as a
composer and arranger. You can link to his website by clicking
here. The band also has an Assistant
Musical Director ~ local teacher David Kemp. David is Head of Music at Queen
Elizabeth High School, Bromyard. Foe further details about
these people, click here. For the majority of the time, the Band rehearses at St. Richard's Preparatory School, Bredenbury,
HR7 4TD, near to Bromyard in Herefordshire, England. You will find Bredenbury on the A44,
three miles west of Bromyard, and about nine miles east of Leominster. Click
here
for a map of the area. The
members of the band are most grateful to the previous Headmaster of the school, Richard Coghlan,
who allowed them to use the school's facilities whilst he was Head at the
school. Richard is also the band's President, and plays trombone in the
group. The Band is most happy to continue using the school's facilities, working
with the new Headmaster, Nathan Cheeseman. On the first Friday of every month
however, we rehearse at the Falcon Hotel in Bromyard. This is at the request of
the hotel's owner's who are trying to encourage the musical scene in Bromyard.
To see a map for this venue click
here. The band rehearses most Friday evenings from 7.30pm -
9.15pm. The season starts in September, to coincide with the start of the
School Year, and ends in late May or early June the following year. Most
concerts are performed on a Friday evening too, if at all possible. Please see
the 'Engagements'
page for further details. A Symphonic Wind Ensemble will have the following instrumentation. There are
other minor permutations possible, but these would be with instruments that are
not very common, such as an Eb clarinet. Woodwind:
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Bass
Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone. Brass:
Trumpet / Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium / Bb
Baritone, Tuba. Percussion: Drum Kit, Timpani, Mallet Percussion such as
Glockenspiel, and numerous other instruments. Occasionally a String
Double Bass or Electric Bass Guitar will be used......yes a string instrument in a
wind group is possible! You really do. The band does own a few specialist
instruments, such as a Drum Kit, Tuba and Piccolo, but 99.9% of the members use
their own instruments. What are the Subscriptions? Are
there any other costs involved? Subscriptions for 2010 are: £30 per
year for full members; £20 for 'retired' players or pensioners, and
£10 for students, children and unwaged. There is a 50% rate for
those who join in the middle of the Band's Financial Year which runs from the
January 1st to December 31st. Subs are due after the Annual General Meeting. In
effect this means anyone who joins in September will pay one half subs, with a
full sub due the following February. There is also a one-off charge of £10 for a band
fleece. This is to wear when the band is playing at outside functions. It is
black with an embroidered band logo. Various sizes are available to new members.
The fleece is not rented or loaned, it is yours to keep. We play all types / ranges / styles. Most original Wind
Band music is relatively modern, but we do try to play pieces from all music
genres. Pieces can range from 'Classical' arrangements through the 'Miller' era,
to modern pieces by present-day composers. If you would like to see some recent programme pieces,
click here, or to listen to a track from a band CD recording, click here. The minimum standard of players
would be about Grade 4**, and the most advanced players are of professional
standard. The very nature of the group allows for this wide range of abilities
and just because you might have a 'Grade 6' and another player might 'only be
Grade 4', does not mean that the '4' player is not as good as the '6'. It will
depend on your playing experiences as well as your ability. If wishing to join
the band you will be expected to "audition" by attending a rehearsal, when you
can be assessed. (See
below for further details). ** Please note that for inexperienced younger
players, we do make allowances, and sometimes we will waive the "Grade 4" rule.
We would welcome younger players of lower standard, in the hope that they will
improve through the playing experience with the band. Complete the Enrolment /
Messages Form or contact the Musical Director by telephone or E-mail. Please
telephone using the number 01432 352006 or press this
E-mail
link. David will ask you a few questions, such as....
where you live, [yes that's not a miss-print!...it's no good wanting to play
in the band if you live in Aberdeen is it? ], what you play, and
your playing standard! Don't be
modest, but don't tell lies either! It is very easy to say you are brilliant
when you are
not. You will be asked to attend a rehearsal, and play in one of the sections.
Our M.D. will be able to assess your playing ability from this. For further information see the Join
Page. Although players of any suitable instrument are
usually welcome,
please note that some places/instruments are not available at
the moment. You can see a list of current vacancies by clicking here. How can I book the Band for a
'gig'? Complete the Booking Form
or contact David Thomas..... contact information is in
the paragraph above this one, and there are e-addresses at the bottom of this
page. If you prefer to write, please do so to: 3 Holmer Road,
Hereford, HR4 9RX, England.
Who are the Conductors / Musical Directors?
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Where does the Band rehearse?
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When does the Band rehearse?
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What instruments do you have in a Wind Band?
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Do I need my own instrument?
What type of music do you play?
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What standard a player do I have to be?
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How do I join?
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©2009 ©2010~ Bromyard
Wind Band. All rights reserved.
Revised:
February 09, 2010 Site url: www.bromyardwindband.com
