Minutes of the Meeting of the Suffolk Concert Band held on

Thursday 5th January 2012, at 271 Cavendish Street, Ipswich

 

Those present were: Angela Hope (Secretary), Russell Banyard (Concert Manager), Trevor Daldry (Chairman), Mark Cheadle (Treasurer), Gordon Scopes (Membership Secretary), Simon Pulham (Trustee), Tom Rumbold (Librarian), Heulwen Livesey (Trustee)

 

130.            Apologies for absence

There were no apologies for absence.

 

131.            Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Thursday 1st December 2011

The minutes were adopted by the meeting.

 

132.            Matters arising from meeting held on Thursday 1st December 2011

125)vii) Simon will speak to Mark about getting payment to Jan Menta.

 

133.            AGM 2012

Chair – the committee agreed that Gordon Scopes will chair the meeting.

VPs – none this year but the committee agreed that Roger Jones should be proposed in 2013.

Honorary Members – Mark Cheadle

Independent Examiner of Accounts – the committee agreed to propose Ian Bickers for 2013

Subs – the committee will recommend that these remain at the current rate for 2013.

Officers/Trustees – with the exception of the Chairman and Secretary, all of the current committee want to stand for re-election. Angela is undecided. Both Gordon and Simon have offered to stand as Chairman for one year until a suitable candidate can be found.

 

134.            Musical Director Tenure

Results of the MD survey:

 

40% wish the committee to ask Roger to continue as Musical Director

2% wish the committee to seek a new Musical Director

36% wish the committee to pursue a rota system of Musical Directors

22% have no comment/did not reply

 

The committee will formally accept Roger’s resignation. John Whelton was already in place to take over the summer season as Roger had other commitments. The committee agreed that we should find a guest conductor to take over from September to Christmas. This will allow the committee time to consider their options. Possible candidates are Vince Taber, Ian McMillan, Tom Rumbold, and Chris Robinson.

 

135.            Acoustics at Holy Trinity

Heulwen would like to run some acoustic tests at the hall. Her initial thoughts are that we will require the following:

Diffusers - at the front of the band, to scatter the sound back towards the band.

Absorbers - behind the percussion to dampen their sound

Layout of band – experiment with distributing the louder instruments, percussion in the middle

Drills to teach the band how to play dynamics!

 

136.            The Apex – Bury St. Edmunds

Suzanne Dexter-Mills and the Cambridge Light Orchestra would be interested in doing a joint concert in 2013.

 

137.            Publicity

137.1.    Spa Pavilion

i)      Heulwen has done the posters for Spa March.

 

ii)     As it stands the Spa will be closing in June 2012 and therefore we will not be doing a Spa October concert. An alternative venue will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

138.            Chairman

Trevor apologised for his absence over the last few months due to his work commitments. This is the reason why he feels he needs to stand down as Chairman at the AGM. He has very much enjoyed his time as Chairman and thanked the committee for their support.

 

139.            Musical Director

“As you can appreciate my little speech at the end of last night’s rehearsal was not easy, but I stand by it, and taking the responsibility of doing it myself, everyone knows where I am coming from, better than hiding behind an email or someone else having to make the announcement. It was my decision and mine alone. My wife knew nothing until 6.30pm last night, Trevor (brother-in-law) just before we got to Holy Trinity and Trevor (Chairman) at the rehearsal break. I do not apologise for not consulting any of you before, believe me I wanted to, and nearly did, but I think that would have been improper and only delayed my decision.

 

There is no hidden agenda, I feel the time is now right not just for me, but for the band, and it is the band that is important not any one individual. As I said last night and on previous AGM's I am privileged and honoured to have been your MD and it is a role I have taken very seriously. I have enjoyed and learned much from all the concerts and rehearsals we have done together and have made some very good friends. What I now hope is that you the committee makes the most of this time to source a new MD who can take the band on further. They are out there!

 

It goes without saying I should like to thank you all very much for your support and guidance over the past 8/9 years. The work that you do on behalf of the band is very commendable without which it would not function properly. Finally should your next incumbent be away on some 'jolly' I would be pleased to stand in for him, or indeed her, if asked! Only, however, if 'Greensleeves' and 'Best of the Beatles' are on the programme!! Ok only joking! See you next week.”

 

140.            Secretary

i)        St. Clements have asked if we can do their carol service again this year. The committee declined this invitation.

 

ii)       Angela has now received a copy of the Children in Need Concert on CD. This will be put on the member’s area of the website but Angela will provide a copy for any member that would like one.

 

iii)     John Whelton has accepted the offer to conduct the summer season however; he is awaiting dates for the Appeal Theatre which may affect the concert at Kirkley Church on 30th June. This date is flexible if required.

 

141.            Treasurer

Simon hired a van for the removal of the band library from Alstons. The committee agreed to this expense.

 

142.            Membership Secretary

i)         A potential new bassoonist called Penny was at the last rehearsal.

 

ii)       As Alison Butler is leaving the band, Angela has contacted the first person on the flute waiting list and is awaiting confirmation that they are still interested in joining the band.

 

iii)     Heulwen would like us to arrange awards for members who go above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the band. These could be presented annually at the summer social event.

 

143.            Librarian

The music budget for 2012 will remain at £500.

 

144.            Concert Manager

Russell will not be at the Holy Trinity concert.

 

145.            Forthcoming Events

Nothing to report.

 

Meeting closed at 9.50pm

 

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 2nd February 2012

Venue – 3 Sandpit Close, Ipswich