On Sat 15th and Sat 22nd  June the Little Big Band have gigs at ‘The Old Friends’ and Eccleriggs (CGP Broughton) respectively. The following players are in the band and need to attend rehearsals this Friday and next Friday from 3.30-4.45pm. If anyone is unavailable please see Mr B. as soon as possible.

Saxes:  Bella, Patsy (15th only), Sophie (22nd only), Tabi, Dan & Jess

Brass: Jacob, Abi, Nell, Emma & Harry

Rhythm:  Alex, Jack, Sophie & David

15th – arrive at The Old Friends by 7.15pm. Finish at 10.30pm                                                     22nd – arrive at Eccleriggs by 5.45pm. Finish at 7.40pm

Please find attached the dates for all the various rehearsals (including all the additional rehearsals for the Italy Tour Band), concerts AND the Parents’ Meeting for the Italy tour.

Please try to ensure full attendance at every rehearsal that applies. Every student going to Italy MUST be represented by an adult at the meeting on 24th June.

Fantastic gig from the Swing Band at Millom on Friday – congratulations to all players, I was SO proud of each and every one! Absolutely cracking performance which would make most other schools (and quite a few university music departments) green with envy.

Also … great coverage of the Wind Band in The Mail today:

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/17653106.pupils-rally-together-in-healthy-challenge/

There are still 5 students who have not returned their personal details form for the Wind Band tour to Italy.  I have attached it below – please could it be filled in and then either given or emailed to me tomorrow? I need to get all the info typed up and submitted before Friday.

A reminder that Swing Band have a concert at Millom Palladium this Friday so there is no rehearsal.

All students need to arrive by 7pm in full band uniform to help set up. The concert will finish at 9.30pm. Tickets are available on the door.  Set list is here:

There are still 15 Health and Safety forms outstanding for the Italy Tour. Please could all pupils make sure they are completed and returned at the beginning of next week as I cannot proceed further with logistical planning until I have all the information.

Many thanks, Mr B.

We have just had confirmation of 2 of the concerts in Italy:

Sunday 14th July: Parco San Giacomo in Verona.

Tuesday 16th July: Pastrengo Music Festival (just inland – east- from the southern end of the Lake).

Awaiting the other engagements

I have just been informed by Coniston Embroidery that they are having to increase their prices by between 3% and 3.5% with effect from next Monday. Therefore it may be an idea for Wind Band members to get orders in in the next couple of days.

All members of the Wind Band MUST have an ‘Polo (Italy 2019)’ shirt irrespective of whether they are going on tour – this is the shirt that has been worn by the band since last summer, so everyone should have one. However, those students going on tour may wish to have a second shirt in order to reduce the unique distinct odour that comes from sweating out a concert and then travelling back to the hotel in the same shirt on 4 consecutive days!!

If at all possible we do like band members also to have a ‘Supporter’s Polo Shirt’, which is the dark blue shirt that also has names or nicknames embroided on the back – these are to be worn (by those that have them) on the outward journey. Those students who went on the Swing Band Tour last year should already have one.

Finally  – all Year 11, 12 & 13 are welcome to purchase a Sixth Form Music Hoodie – these are fully logo-ed and also have names/nicknames on the front.

https://www.conistonshop.com/UVHS-Music-Department_169/school/index.php

Andrea Vicari – the professor of jazz studies at Trinity Laban who came with NYJO to do the jazz workshop with Swing Band in autumn – has just sent details of the “Women in Jazz Day” that they are holding on Wed 3rd July in London. Any female Swing Band players who wish to go should follow the link below and apply as soon as possible as it will fill up very fast.

Any students who are successful please let me know so I can make sure that they can travel as a group (this is not a school trip).

https://arts-mail.co.uk/t/1OT3-687Y6-93UEF0XE47/cr.aspx

A reminder to ALL parents of students going to Italy in 11 weeks that the balance of payments is due by next Friday (there are still some who have only paid the £50 deposit!). If anyone is unsure about what they still owe they can ask Mr Butler for an up to date account of payments.

Also … please could the information sheets given out before Easter (detailing emergency contacts, medical details, dietary requirements, passport info etc.) be returned to the Music Office as soon as possible?

Finally … please make sure that all students have a valid EHIC Card (irrespective of Brexit!). Dates of the information meeting and additional rehearsals will be issued in a few weeks, and as soon as all the concert venues are confirmed I will publish them as I know that several groups of parents are coming out to support us.

If anyone is unsure about what they still owe they can ask Mr Butler for an up to date account of payments.