Minutes of the meeting of the Suffolk Concert Band held on

Thursday 3rd February 2005 at Acton Lodge Needham Market

 

Those present were: Angela Bates, Deidre Gordon, Mark Cheadle, Toby Pratt, Barry Salmon, Gordon Scopes, Simon Pulham, Roger Jones.

 

132.   Apologies for Absence

These were received from Sarah Scott, Mandy Chinery, Jane Walker, Fiona Gordon-Clarke.

 

133.   Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Thursday 6th January 2005

The minutes were agreed with the following corrections:

129) If members join during the year they will be offered discounted rates of subscription as follows:

 

January to April – Full subscription

May to August – Half subscription

September to December – Full subscription (as per next year’s price), which covers the following year

 

129) Deidre produced a new expenses payment form not expenses claim form.

 

134.   Matters arising from the meeting held on Thursday 6th January 2005

Colin Pettingale and John Whelton have agreed to be proposed as Vice Presidents at the AGM. Barry confirmed that he is happy with the committee’s proposal with regards to guest conductors/assistant Musical Directors.

 

Gordon reported that the trailer is ready to be collected and will be delivered to be sign painted.

 

135.   Chairman

135.1.       Proposed Amendments to Constitution

The committee discussed the amendments to the constitution, which will be updated and passed to committee members for further comment next week. Since this is an agenda item for the AGM, members will be told this is a work in progress and is not ready to be agreed at the meeting.

 

136.   Musical Director

We have been asked by the Holbrook Music Society to do a concert at the Royal Hospital School on Sunday 9th October. This would be a joint concert with the school band and they have offered us a donation of £500. This date coincides with the 200th Anniversary of Trafalgar and would have a nautical theme. The committee agreed to this engagement.

 

136.1.       Music in the Pad

Roger explained that the reason why there appears to be no new music is because there is a very high proportion of the music in the pad that we have yet to perform and other pieces that we have only performed once or twice. He is constantly looking for new pieces to play and is always open to suggestions.

 

137.   Secretary

Correspondence this month:

·   Agenda for the Ipswich Arts Association General Meeting.

 

Deidre reported that the audit of the accounts had highlighted that we did not receive a donation from Landguard Fort for December 2003. This was expected to be £100. Angela to write to the Fort for an explanation.

 

138.   Treasurer (Trustees only)

The financial statement for 2004 was circulated and agreed by the trustees. Angela to distribute signed copies to the members.

 

£165 has been donated by the OCA so far for the CD recording and they have agreed to sell the CD in the OCA shop providing that it has “Speed the Plough” on it.

 

138.1.       External Use of the Photocopier

Deidre had previously expressed a concern about the amount of external use the photocopier has been getting. This increases the wear and tear and therefore means that the band has to pay for more servicing. Mandy reported via email that she uses her work photocopier for a number of tasks such as the newsletter. We cannot afford to charge less than 5p per copy for external use. FADOS still have an outstanding payment.

 

 

139.   Membership Secretary

It was agreed that James Symington (Trumpet) and Joy Settle (Tenor Sax) should be given membership forms. Mark expressed his concern that we do not seem to have control over the admission of new members. Although it is good to have a pool of players to ensure good attendance at engagements, we are now very full in most sections and require a waiting list for potential new members.

 

Angela reported that Rebecca Darlow (oboe) will complete University at the end of the current school year and the committee agreed that she should be contacted with regards to rejoining the band.

 

140.   Librarian

Mandy reported via email that she would be purchasing “The Best of the Village People”.

 

141.   Concert Manager

Nothing to report.

 

142.   AGM 2005

Barry has agreed to chair the meeting. All current Vice Presidents have been invited to the meeting, Bernard Reader and Brian Annis have sent their apologies. All officers have agreed to stand for re-election with the exception of the Treasurer.

 

Deidre will no longer be able to be a regular player with the band although she would be able to dep if required. If a new Treasurer is not elected at the AGM, Deidre has offered to continue as acting Treasurer.

 

143.   Publicity

Toby has prepared posters for the Holy Trinity Concert and will distribute them next week. He has received copies of the photos of the band and will offer copies to members.

 

Toby also reported that he is currently working on the Membership pack and would appreciate any input from the committee.

 

Roger asked whose responsibility is the appearance of the band? The committee agreed that if any member was not wearing the correct uniform then Roger should speak to them about it.

 

144.   Rehearsal Venue

Toby had received a letter from the headmaster of Orwell Park High School explaining that they would find it difficult to offer us a regular Wednesday night rehearsal. Positive feedback had been received from members about the venue. Simon suggested that we offer to do a Wednesday night concert in the summer for the school as a thank you for accommodating us.

 

Toby to investigate Orwell Church on Felixstowe Road and the possibility of improving our current rehearsal venue.

 

The committee agreed that it would be good to have rehearsals in other venues now and again. For instance, the rehearsal before a concert to be held at the concert venue so that equipment can be left there.

 

145.   Forthcoming Events

145.1.       Wednesday 23rd February 2005 – Concert Series, Holy Trinity

Angela requested that the band be informed that they are being recorded during these concerts.

 

145.2.       Thursday 10th March 2005 – Studio Recording, Suffolk College

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.3.       Sunday 10th April 2005 – Ardleigh Church

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.4.       Saturday 14th May 2005 – Stradbroke Church

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.5.       Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd June 2005 – The Suffolk Show

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.6.       Sunday 26th June 2005 – Barham Hall

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.7.       Saturday 16th July 2005 – Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.8.       Sunday 31st July 2005 – OCA

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.9.       Sunday 13th November 2005 – Remembrance Sunday, Shotley Church

                        Nothing to report.

 

145.10.    Other Events

Saturday 10th September has been suggested for the proposed concert at Sherringham Church. It would be preferable that this is an early evening concert.

 

We have been asked to play at a Garden Party at Gifford Hall, Wickhambrook on Sunday 12th June. This is in aid of the restoration of the Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds. The committee agreed to this engagement.

 

146.   Any Other Business

Toby reported that the IAA is holding a publicity day on Saturday 12th February if anybody is interested in going.

 

Meeting closed at 10.05pm

 

 

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 3rd March 2005

Venue – 2 Holywells Farm Cottages, Cliff Lane, Ipswich