June has been an interesting time for the band with the adoption of the new constitution at the Special Meeting of the band. The band is now a democracy of the actual current playing members and the proxy votes from people who have not had any part in the band for over a decade have disappeared for ever. I thank the committee, and especially Jenny and Howard, for the work involved in the adoption and that they managed to do it all with minimal disruption to the rehearsal schedule.
I welcome our new members: Aaron Wang on Solo Cornet; Barry Martin on Timpani & Alan White who has rejoined after an absence of 10 years, firstly on Bass Trombone but he has seen the light and moved to Tuba. I know that George (percussion) is studying hard for year 12 and I hope you continue with us when your studies permit. I also welcome back Ted & Jenny Charles to 2nd Cornet. Your experience is very important to me and the band was not the same without you. It was wonderful to have Peter Pageant on Soprano Cornet and you are welcome back at any time. Sandy has once again gone travelling and I miss you already. Have a great and safe trip and I look forward to your return.
I am very pleased that Patrick Stapleton has accepted the position of Deputy Conductor of the Senior Band. The "man" can play a mean trombone and his musicality will be of benefit to us all. I intend that Patrick starts each rehearsal with a reflective piece and that he takes at least one major work in each Concert. Please give Patrick your utmost attention and respect as he stands before you.
Congratulations must go to Tom Nicol who achieved 99% in his Music Theory exam. Congratulations and good luck to Alan White who will be travelling to N.Z. to compete on tuba in the National Championships there.
The band is working towards the Gold Coast Eisteddfod with remarkable improvement in the lower cornets and the horns. With pieces such as "Pirates of the Caribbean" there is nowhere to hide and the 3rd cornet or 2nd tenor horn is as necessary as any of the the solo parts. Well done all of you, we just have to nail the finish and it will be great. With all three groups; Brass Band, Drum Corps & Development Band, competing in their own sections, The Gold Coast City Brass band is well represented.
The senior Brass Band percussion section has grown to six and it never ceases to amaze me that your percussion cacophony makes such a fantastic difference to the overall band sound. We still need a permanent Soprano Cornet, 3rd & 4th Trombones and a Solo Horn but overall the instrumentation is complete.
I thank all the players for the sight reading of the "Musicals" for the Banana Festival gig and be assured it will get worse as the gig gets closer. I believe we will be the only band that really gets into the "Musicals" theme. Even on the Parade we will be marching to Oliver and Hello Dolly.
In closing, we approach a significant and exiting time for our band. We have grown from 10 players at the start of the year to a list of nearly 40 Brass and Percussion. We intend to continue the growth with other ensembles, possibly on Tuesday evenings and a Beginner Brass Band to supplement the Beginner Drum Course on Saturday Mornings. If you are interested or able to help. please contact me or Robyn and we both will appreciate it.
Yours in Banding, Henk Dogger
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