Is there a good time to come to my first rehearsal?
Yes! Any week is fine with us! BUT
we have a special rehearsal once a term, which we call our
Bring a Friend Night. This rehearsal is geared specifically
towards new members - for next Bring a Friend night click
here.
How good do you have to be?
For Training Band, you need to be about Grade 1 to 4 standard, and for Concert Band, about
Grade 4 upwards.
How old do you have to be?
There's no age restrictions - we have
players from under 10 years old, to over 60.
I play two instruments, could I play both?
Yes! Many players use Training Band to brush up their skills on a second instrument, and then
play their first instrument in Concert Band
What do I do to join?
Read our Membership
Page and/or click
New Member to email and make contact
Can I try it and see?
Yes! Feel free to come to one or two
or rehearsals to see how you get on, and you can then pay
weekly for the rest of that term (£1/week for Training
Band, £2/week for Concert Band).
What are the advantages of playing in a band?
You learn to play as part of an ensemble,
improve your listening skills, develop your sight-reading
skills, and meet new people. Oh, and the tea's not bad either.
I've never played in a band before - won't I get left behind?
We realise that playing in a band can initially seem challenging, as it may be the first encounter
with a conductor, or the first time playing the notes at
the same speed and in the same order as everyone else. However,
everyone does master these skills, although it may take
a term or so. After all, we all started off in exactly the
same way
How often do you need to attend?
It's best if you can attend every week (rehearsals are term time only) but it's fine to miss
the odd one.
How much does it cost?
£8 a term for Training Band, £16 a term for Concert Band.
If you play in both bands, you just pay the £16.
Do we get a tea break?
Concert Band has a break for free tea, coffee or squash.
What do you wear for concerts?
Black trousers or skirt, white shirt/blouse,
optional bow ties/jackets for the boys/men. Black shoes
and socks please!!
How often do you play concerts?
We perform at least 5 times a year, in various venues around Colchester and Clacton.
I have a great idea for a piece of music - can I make a suggestion?
Yes, we are always open to new ideas for music - we need as much info as possible - the composer,
the arranger, the publishing company etc.
What type of instruments can I play in the band?
Basically all Woodwind (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon & Saxophones), all Brass (Trumpet, Cornet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium & Tuba) Instruments.
Where does the money go received from concerts?
All of the band's concerts are for Charity, with £31,000 raised since 2004. Any fee the band does take from concerts goes towards expenses incurred (e.g. publicity) and the cost of purchasing new music. The Band is totally voluntary - no one connected with the band or the Committee gets paid for their services.
What type of concert is the band suitable for?
Concerts where you are looking for an enjoyable evening
of light music, including classics, shows, films, marches
etc.
What sort of venue is required for the band?
The venue needs to have a flat area approximately 30ft by 30ft
for the band to set up, with sufficient parking for members
and audience.
Which area does the band play in?
North Essex and Suffolk