"Shaken Not Stirred" - Bond Evening
The 29th of October is fast approaching for the Preston Concert Band and work is continuing through the summer months to get all performances off to a very high standard for the "Shaken not Stirred" Band evening as part of Preston Arts Festival 2010.
I am busy arranging all the music for the evening and I am finding it very enjoyable from a puzzle point of view.
Why is arranging music for a concert band puzzling? Well we are trying to re-create all sorts of different types of music and still keep it fresh but we haven't in some cases got the original instruments, but instead we have traditional "delicate" instruments that mostly you would associate with an orchestra (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, French horn) and others you might associate with jazz bands (trumpets, saxophones, trombones, bass guitar, drum kit) and then even instruments you would find in a brass band (euphonium, baritone, tuba) on top of this add a voice and some electronic effects and I have to bring all these elements together to create a great performance that doesn't overwhelm the voice and still keep all instruments happy with something interesting to play.
I’ll leave all the other elements of theatre and production up to everyone else involved but it should be a fantastic evening, and I’m looking forward to a rest from arranging all the music day and night leading up to the concert.
Graham (MD)
Published Date:
26/08/2010
Modified Date:
26/08/2010
Technology Aids Performance
Preston Concert Band continues to rehearse right through the summer months and some evening there may be quite a few members that are vital missing for holidays. This has always been the case but how does the band maintain its quality performances with different people missing each week and other commitments from members?
Well perhaps the answer has been to use a "flash plug-in" which allows the musicians to hear but very importantly SEE the MUSIC as it is played. This plug-in is called SCORCH and is free to use.
The Musical Director now posts all the new arrangements that he has created up on a link from the bands website to his own www.composemusic.co.uk and the musicians can find the relevant piece of music and watch and listen to it been played.
So when the full band meets after all the disruption of summer the pieces come together very quickly.
Technology for recording the band has been used quite often to see what is going wrong in the performances, very often when you are playing inside an ensemble you can't hear the full effect and so having regular recordings made of the band and very importantly listening to them also gives the band a chance to listen to their created work.
The band is looking forward to the "BOND - Shaken not stirred" event in the PRESTON ARTS FESTIVAL this year as that will be outstanding.
If you feel like a listen, please pop down to a rehearsal and meet the musicians who work tirelessly through the summer months.
Graham
Published Date:
22/07/2010
Modified Date:
22/07/2010
New concert "Stage and Silverscreen"
A new concert is being planned for the 18th of September in the Ingol Methodist Church.
This will include new orchestrations of some film music (bond) and some solos from some energetic soloists.
The new rehearsal premises at St Walburge's Church Hall are a very useful place to rehearse and this means we can rehearse with all collaborations and not deafen ourselfs. The band is doing extremely well and has 44 members.
If you fancy popping down then just drop in and have a listen or a blow.
Take care,
Graham
Published Date:
20/07/2010
Modified Date:
20/07/2010
First Rehearsal Back!
Well a Happy New Year to everyone. I had a dream that on the first rehearsal back there would be three people turning up and things were looking like that during the day as most schools had shut and quite a few of the band had left their apologises that they could not make it safely in the snow.
So Tony and a few others had just resolved to turn up to sort out the new library and all the equipment. Erm, twenty minutes later virtually a full band was sat down ready to play. So we had a good thrashing (yes I took the tempo rather fast to warm us all up in the frozen snow and cold hall), we played ticket to ride arranged by a friend Ian Mitchel.
We next went onto something a bit more of a relaxed paced “Shenandoah”. This was arranged by Cyril Coglan and is a lovely setting to the traditional tune, always moving and something interesting to play for everyone.
Next we had to have a march “The Middy” oh dear tuning problems and balance needs sorting out on these marches!
We broke for chocolates and coffee, erm, we just about worked out the boiler!
So we finished the night off with “A Welsh Rhapsody” by Clare Grundman”. This is a lovely setting to some popular tunes, even with some instruments missing it still sounded very musical and full in the arrangement. It also gave the quieter instruments the chance to sound out, bassoon and bass clarinet.
Thanks everyone!
My highlight of the evening was standing in the car park later looking up at the sky and being able to make out all of the Orion constellation with the procyon star and “Mars” in the Cancer constellation, all as the steeple lit up as a backdrop. What a good start to the year!
Published Date:
08/01/2010
Modified Date:
08/01/2010
End of Year Mince Pie
Well done and thank you everyone who performed with the Preston Concert Band this year. We have performed in quite a few new venues in areas where we are not particularly well known. We started the year and finished the year raising money for local charities.
If you look at the events there are quite a few;
“St Leonard’s Church”, - Fantastic turn out thanks!
“Avenham Park”, Fun day had by all (errrmm eggs!!!)
“Clitheroe Castle”, Sunny chilled and started to swing
“Preston Minster”, Last night of the proms eat your hearts out
“St Peter’s Primary School”, Cool afternoon before the rain came!
“Preston Riversway Docks”, Breezy and squeezy on stage!
“Morecambe Happy Mount Park”, Sun, Sun beautiful sun!
Fantastic audience, thank you!
“Thornton little theatre”, Warming up those swing concerts
“Lowther Pavillion”, Swings kicking in by now
“St Michael’s and All Angels Church”, We finally licked that swing
“Blessed Sacrement Social club”, Duel of the live against recorded music
“St Leonard’s Church”, Great audience, well recepted, erm wine!!
“Preston College” More carols it’s Christmas! and finally
“Royal Preston Hospital”! It is the law - that we finish the year with
“Christmas Festival” and a mince pie, or seven!
Phew that sounds like a rock band tour!
Talking of rock bands, we have been asked more than once to provide dance band music for events only to find out that the event is too small (we have 35 members sometimes!). I feel at times like a roadie with all that gear to lug about. But I am quickly feeding my son with royal jelly at every opertunity to build him up with muscles so he can lug the gear, and play the drums!
PA Probems!
We used the PA quite a lot this year and even managed it with “The Brothers of Swing” at Clitheroe Castle. Some things worked and others didn’t. So we fine tuned the performances and for this year have taken audiences comments into consideration – “More music, less jokes” – thanks a bunch! Did I tell you the one about a one legged frog? Well perhaps wait for the next concert.
Who knows what the band will achieve next year but there are some very exciting announcements, first the band has a new rehearsal premises which is larger and better suited to the size of a growing concert band.
St Walburge's Church Hall
Weston Street, Ashton-on-Ribble,
Preston, Lancashire,
PR2 2QE
Plus we will be holding an opening evening were you can come along and listen or perform with the band to see how you get on. We rehearse on Thursday evenings 7 till 9pm and all are welcome – ring Graham or Sue to check on 07525352891
Finally to all the band, thank you for all your hard work and efforts as this year has been outstanding and I have thoroughly enjoyed every concert (even when I had a massive migraine!)
Upwards and onwards!!!!
Thanks Graham
Published Date:
29/12/2009
Modified Date:
29/12/2009
Pictures needed
The band has peformed at some fantastic events and sadly the photos that I have seen have not been the best. So if you have come to visit us and you have taken some photographs could you email me them please as we need a good group of new photographs.
The band has also got a group page of facebook just search for Preston Concert Band on Facebook and you should be able to join where you will be sent the latest concerts and information about the band.
Here are a couple that I have taken, they are not brilliant but show the band at St Michaels and All Angels church on the last of the swing concerts.
Also is a picture of our alto sax players (left to right- Sue, Nicki, Ketran and Dave).
Hope all the band supporters are well and are freeing their diaries for the 14th of December which should turn out to be another wonderful evening of entertainment with the spirit of Christmas at St Leonards, details to follow.......
Graham (MD)
Published Date:
25/10/2009
Modified Date:
25/10/2009
Looking for Passion
Yes, Preston Concert Band are actively looking for passionate people to perform with the band, and not only on a once off event. We need the following musicians to play with the band on a long term basis if possible;
Kit - percussionist
Tuned percussionist
Bass Guitar
Horns (Eb or F)
Trumpet or cornet players
Plus other wind players to augment the ranks!
The band do perform a wide range of pieces to a high standard and pride their ability to create a fun entertaining concert.
Other guests are welcome - just give us a bit of planning time.
So pop along, Thursday evenings 7pm till 9pm at the Friends meeting hall st georges road. Just google Preston Concert Band to get a map or phone for direction 07525352891 or go to the website at www.prestonconcertband.co.uk
Thanks Graham (MD)
Published Date:
22/10/2009
Modified Date:
25/10/2009
Call to Composers!
Band rehearsals are going well. Tonight I was impressed by the sound we created even though there is no immediate concert to rehearse for - apart from St Leonards in Walton le Dale on the 12th of December. Email me for tickets md@prestonconcertband.co.uk
We are using this space to try new ideas/music out! If you have written something for a wind ensemble or concert band then this is an ideal opportunity to drop us a line and see if we can perform this for you. We can even record any performance with professional recording equipment.
I remember when I was composing at university I was always on the lookout for bands and ensembles to write music for, there is nothing worse than coming up with a “hair brained” idea that will never be performed (How many times have you heard the “Hoover concerto”?
If you would like to share ideas then why not pop along to my music website www.composemusic.co.ukSee you all next week!
Published Date:
15/10/2009
Modified Date:
15/10/2009