- What is a concert band?
- But I don't play any of those instruments!
- Do you have to be a good player?
- What music do we play?
- How much does it cost?
- Is there a uniform?
- Is there any room for vocalists?
- How do I hire the band?
- Can I buy a recording of the band?
A concert band comprises woodwind, brass and percussion. It is not an orchestra since it
has no string players. It is not a brass band because it includes woodwinds.
The core instrumentation is:
Flutes, Clarinets, Alto and Tenor Saxophones
Trumpets, Trombones, Tuba
Drum kit and miscellaneous percussion.
We also currently have players of Piccolo, (French) Horn, Baritone Saxophone, Euphonium
and Bass Clarinet.
We don't have, but would welcome, players of Oboe, Bassoon, Mallet Percussion (e.g.
Xylophone), Timpani.
If you play Eb Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Flugelhorn or Double Bassoon, we could conceivably
fit you in, but would rather you played something more generally useful.
Occasionally we have need of players of piano, electric bass or string (double) bass, but
not in outdoor gigs - more usually in concerts.
If you can read music, you could try the auxiliary percussion parts. How difficult can
it be to hit things?
Apart from that, for the Mardi Gras Parade we always need banner bearers, people to
keep up a supply of water for thirsty musicians, and things like that - sometimes as
many extras as band in fact.
If you are an oboist or xylophonist, probably yes. If you play something more common like
flute, clarinet or trumpet, you can sit in and play on the easier parts. You'll get better
with practice - more than you expect.
We play a wide range of music. For general gigs in shopping centres and suchlike we tend
to stick to pop, jazz, disco and show tunes. For concerts we also do light classics,
music specially written for bands, and so on.
Currently we charge $50 a year for membership.
Generally we wear all black, with some latitude in interpretation (except for formal
concerts), together with a "rainbow" vest. The band keeps a small supply of the latter
for when we need to bring in ring-ins, but members will be expected to buy their own.
Normally we are a totally instrumental group. However for concerts we have joined forces
with choirs and vocal soloists. These are special events, and the singers are not members
of the band as such.
You can e-mail or phone to discuss hiring rates. We are willing to play for charitable
events at reduced rates.
Don't think that you have to take the entire band. We have for example played at parties
in a limited space with a group of about seven.
Please remember that at least the drummer and tuba-player will want to sit down.
We don't necessarily require amplification - unless you want us to cover a football field.
We do require light to see the music, a fact forgotten surprisingly often.
At present the only publicly available recording is the DVD of our
10th Anniversary Concert.
We once made a "demo CD" but this had a very limited production run.
This page is maintained by
Urkus.
Last updated 1 October 2007.