A huge well done to everyone in the Wind Band and Swing Band for two fantastic performances at The Coro this weekend.

Swing Band gave a highly enjoyable (and pretty intensive from a playing perspective) set with “Sing, sing, sing” going better than I could have imagined. I know that those in the Scotland Band who have never visited us in the past were absolutely bowled over by what the band achieved.

Wind Band again raised a lot of eyebrows both in the Marines and in the audience – great performances of what was for the most part new music that we only started rehearsing on 9th Jan!!

The students who had the opportunity to play in the massed band … well, what can I say? Amazing!!! So much pressure having only sight-read the music on Friday (and all the music being more difficult than anything we could tackle in Wind Band) – and again, endless admiration from the Marines.

I am a VERY proud ‘music dad’ to each and every one of you (and Mrs Heginbotham, Ms Reed and Mrs Green very proud ‘music mums’). It would seem that, following Covid, the UVHS music family is really getting back together. Well done!!

PS – Wind Band rehearsal til 4.45pm tomorrow – we start to look at the Tour repertoire (and Summer Concert). No rehearsal on Mon 13th (due to the Primary Dance Platform rehearsals in the Main Hall).

I have been given a spare ticket for Saturday night’s concert – 2nd row of the Balcony B20. I f anyone would like to take it in return for a donation to the Friends then please email me on rbu@uvhs.uk (it will be given on a first-come basis).

ALSO – many thanks to the 4 parents who have offered to help on Friday or Saturday evening, I really appreciate it… however, we need more! At least 1 more on Friday and at least 2 more on Saturday. Please email me if you are willing to help.

I desperately need help from some adults on both Friday and Saturday evening. We struggled at the Christmas concert with only 2 or 3 volunteers. Luckily some parents of past students stepped in when Mrs Green and myself had to go to get ready for the first half. Please come and help if you can.

FRIDAY: 2 people needed on the door to check tickets (everyone attendee needs to keep their ticket) as people come in. Needed from 7pm-7.45pm, then 1 person from 7.45-8.15pm. The doors into to the hall will be open so you can see/hear the Swing Band.

SATURDAY: 5 people needed to sell programs and sell raffle tickets (the raffle is our profit so we need to sell as many as possible – stunning prizes though!!!!!!). Needed from 6.35pm-7.30pm and then at the interval as well.

• Arrive at The Coro between 7pm and 7.10pm at the latest (audience cannot get in before 7.15pm)
• Swing Band shirt (or black shirt); black jeans/skirt; own choice footwear
• Instrument cases in the ant-room (just off the foyer)
• Set up pad/stand etc on stage

7.30pm-ish                    UVHS Swing Band set

                                                1 hour set

• Audience will get food before we finish
• Once we have finished the set we must quickly take our instruments and pads off stage and back into the ante-room
• Once instruments are packed away YOU MAY EAT!!!!!!!!
• Enjoy the rest of the evening!!!
• 11.00/11.15pm finish
• SATURDAY – ‘Music in the Forces’ careers presentation @12.30pm in The Coro. Try to attend!

• Music in the Forces’ careers presentation @12.30pm in The Coro. Try to attend!

For the concert:

• Arrive at The Coro between 6.40pm and 7.05pm at the latest (audience cannot get in before 6.40pm). Full band uniform – pink shirt/black trousers/skirt/black shoes & socks.
• Instrument cases in the ant-room (just off the foyer). You are NOT allowed downstairs into the dressing rooms, we can only use the ante-room!
• Set up pad/stand etc on stage

Provisional timings for the concert

7.30pm                           UVHS Wind Band set

                                                35 minute set

     8.05pm                            Interval

     8.30pm                            Royal Marines set

     9.05pm                            Massed Band finale (players know who they are

     9.45pm                            Finish

• Once we have finished the set we must quickly take our instruments and pads off stage and back into the ante-room. Massed Band players must keep hold of their instruments, everyone else pack them away and leave in the ante-room.
• For the second part of the concert we are standing in the aisles (quietly) to watch – massed band players keep instruments with them.  Also, watch out for the drummers marching in and out, you will need to stand by the walls to let them march past or they will kick you!!!!
• After 2^nd part, massed band players quickly get sorted on stage. Remainder stay in the aisles to watch quietly.

A reminder that the second payment for tour is due by the end of the month (£150 by Tuesday). Also please check the expiry date on passports – the new laws state that there must be at least 3 months ‘spare’ on a passport after travelling in Europe, so the expiry date must be on or after 20th October 2023.

There will be a careers presentation on Saturday (4th Feb) at 12.30pm in the Supper Room at The Coro. This is open to all (students, parents, friends etc) and will not only give a detailed insight into what life is like in the Royal Marines Band Service, which accepts all orchestral and band instrumentalists as well as singers, but also armed services music in general (Army and RAF, both of which also have very successful and prestigious band services).

Please could as many people get to this presentation as possible? It is the reason why we got funding for the weekend and will only last about 45 minutes. All those invited to play in the massed band must attend.

Another fantastic rehearsal from Wind Band this evening. Not only is this Saturday’s concert sounding great, but tour is really looking good!!!!!!! Well done everyone!

(Also hope that this post is ‘pinged’ to subscribers!!)

There will be a careers presentation next Saturday (4th Feb) at 12.30pm in the Supper Room at The Coro. This is open to all (students, parents, friends etc) and will not only give a detailed insight into what life is like in the Royal Marines Band Service, which accepts all orchestral and band instrumentalists as well as singers, but also armed services music in general (Army and RAF, both of which also have very successful and prestigious band services).

Please could as many people get to this presentation as possible? It is the reason why we got funding for the weekend and will only last about 45 minutes. All those invited to play in the massed band must attend.

A reminder that the second payment for tour is due by the end of the month (£150 by Tuesday). Also please check the expiry date on passports – the new laws state that there must be at least 3 months ‘spare’ on a passport after travelling in Europe, so the expiry date must be on or after 20th October 2023.