Minutes of meeting of Suffolk Concert Band held on
Thursday 8th January 2009 at RHS.
Those present were: Angela Hope, Gordon Scopes, Ray Wilson, Toby Hope, Simon Pulham, Roger Jones, Trevor Daldry.
114. Apologies for absence
These were received from Mark Cheadle.
115. Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Thursday 4th December 2008
The minutes were adopted.
116. Matters arising from meeting held on Thursday 4th December 2008
106iii) Don Young has purchased this piece of kit for himself so therefore this is not an expense for the band.
107iv) Gordon has taken a photo of the new banners and sent this to Mr and Mrs Warren in a Christmas card. Trevor is currently working on the banner box and then the new banners can be added to the box.
117. Chairman
Toby thanked the committee for the Christmas concerts and their hard work last year.
118. Musical Director
118.1. MD Review
i) Roger wishes to continue as Musical Director for the next 3 years commencing September 2009.
The committee discussed the items raised at the last meeting with Roger and the main outcomes were as follows:
· The committee felt that they rely on Roger too much within the committee and want to take more collective responsibility for these tasks.
· A more “dynamic” repertoire pad will be used, which Roger feels should be shown as much respect as the yellow pad and require at least 2 rehearsals if it is going to be used for a concert.
· A guest conductor will be used in 2010 for a minimum of 8 weeks. Roger will be away in July so a good time for this will be June/July that includes Barham Hall and a summer concert.
· The committee requested that Roger is stricter with the band with regards to volume and talking during the rehearsal.
ii) Roger apologised that he will be unable to make the rehearsal on March 18th. The committee agreed that we move this rehearsal to 19th and this will be held at the Royal Hospital School.
119. Secretary
i) Angela reported that she was very annoyed after the Holy Trinity Christmas concert and the reasons were as follows:
· A number of members turned up early for the concert but refused to help her to set up chairs and stands. This has also been a problem at rehearsals.
· It is an impossible task for members of the band to provide the tea and coffee during the concert and it took Audrey Pettingale the whole second half to clear the mess.
· Angela was still locking up the church and hall alone at 10.45pm after everyone else had left and was then expected to drop the keys back to the church warden’s house on the way home. Locking the hall alone has also been a problem at rehearsals.
The committee agreed to address these problems in the following way:
· At rehearsals members will be required to put out their own chair and stand.
· At the next Holy Trinity concert there will not be an interval. Tea and coffee will be provided after the Church has been cleared.
· Angela will contact Holy Trinity and request that a church member be responsible for unlocking and locking the church when a concert is on.
ii) Toby now has the keys to the hall while Angela is on maternity leave.
iii) We have been invited to play in a Songs of Praise service on Saturday 8th May 2010 at 4pm. The committee agreed but have requested that we have plenty of notice of the hymns that we will be required to play. The committee also agreed that we should not charge for this but request a donation.
iv) We have been invited once again to play in a Christmas concert at Shotley village hall on Saturday 11th December 2010 at 7.30pm. The committee agreed.
120. Treasurer
i) Helen Wright is no longer a member; she has cancelled her standing order.
ii) We still have an outstanding gift aid claim from the Inland Revenue of £240.
iii) In 2008 we had an excess of income over expenditure and Ray felt that we should do more charity jobs in 2009.
iv) Ray is currently preparing the end of year accounts for Ian Bickers.
121. Membership Secretary
i) Gordon reported the sad news that Monty Girling had died at the end of last year.
ii) Pat Wood will be going into hospital in two weeks and will be out of action for a while. The committee wished her well.
iii) Suzanne Dexter-Mills sends her regards to the band.
iv) James Leverage has been given a membership form.
v) Sarah Scott is unlikely to be returning to the band until next winter. Angela will email her regarding her jacket, outstanding music and the missing carol books.
vi) There is the possibility that James Symington (trumpet) would like to rejoin the band.
122. Librarian
i) Mandy and Roger have requested the following music purchases:
· I’m a Believer
· Pop and Rock Legends
· Neil Diamond
· The Corsair – Berlioz
The committee agreed to the purchase of this music.
ii) Mandy is able to obtain a number of archive boxes from Willis that are large enough for A4 music.
iii) Mandy would be happy to continue as assistant librarian after the AGM if a replacement librarian is not found.
iv) The flute section will be happy to help with tea and coffee at rehearsals while Angela is on maternity leave.
122.1. Library
Mandy and Simon have been to look at the trailer at Alstons. Their only concern was condensation and mentioned that we may want to purchase a de-humidifier. Trevor did not think that condensation would be a problem. The library will be moved when the weather is warmer.
123. Concert Manager
Nothing to report.
124. Rehearsal Venue
Gordon will follow-up with Pinewood.
125. Uniform
i) Four new jackets have been ordered from Handley’s including replacement gold buttons and two breast pocket badges.
ii) Angela circulated a price list for a possible complete uniform for band members including; shirt, trousers/skirt and bowtie. The price worked out as approximately £30 per member. Angela will try and get samples in time for the AGM.
126. Publicity
Nothing to report.
127. Forthcoming Events
Nothing to report.
127.1. Other Events
Nothing to report.
Meeting closed at 9.55pm
Date of Next Meeting:
Thursday 5th February 2009
Venue – 47 Offord Close, Kesgrave