Mon 14th Jan 18.30 Training Band, Mickle Trafford Scout Hut 19.45 Main Band, general rehearsal, Band Room TB experts sit-in until 21.00 Weds no rehearsal Fri 19.45 Main Contest Band rehearsal Sun 11.30 Contest sectional - Cornets

Yep it’s 2002, we’re in the 3rd section. Overblown, overfed, over drunk over Xmas? Well now it’s time to get into trim – remember all those long notes…. Well you meant to do it, oh yes, an hour a day. Mmmmmm. Ah well.

The contest campaign has started. Rehearsals are now as follows; up to the March contest: Monday night 18.30-19.30 Training Band, Mickle Trafford 19.45-22.0 Main Band ‘concert’ rehearsal Training Band experts sit-in until 9pm Wednesday NO REHEARSAL Friday 19.30 Contest Band rehearsal Sunday Sectionals – to be notified The contests are Preston on Feb 10th, and Blackpool on March 10th. Keep the week before each free for final rehearsals, and the Sunday of course. Anyone who wants to come along and support. Speak to Les, Rob Fletcher or Ian Clowes for more details – come along and cheer the band on!!!! For Blackpool a coach will be organized.

Training Band members will already know about our new cornets…. The National Foundation for Youth Music has awarded the band £900 towards 5 new training cornets. The TB and main band have made up the £100 required to buy the 5 ex rental cornets, and they’re already in-use!

Look out for: the annual Xmas party, a second contest workshop, the AGM, diary dates for major 2002 events…. Watch this space. Feb 2nd, Mickle Trafford Scout Hut – Mickle Trafford Scout Group and holding a Race Night. Tickets from Ian Clowes. Chance to regain a bit of honour after our last place in their quiz last year!

Pre-xmas thanks to all who turned out at our outings, including the largest audience of the year at Alvaston Hall on Dec 30th. This year, we’re looking to build-in more Xmas playing to maximize our fund raising…. Because….

We’re still on the lookout for good tutors we can use for training band members. Interested, or know someone you would recommend, then let us know.

To Helen Clowes, our 2nd Baritone player, who’s just passed her grade 3 on the flute – yep, long silver thing with lots of twiddly bits. The Special Xmas Lights Award must go to our new TB/2nd Trombone player Donna Jackson, who turned up at Xmas outings with no less than 2 sets of live Xmas lights adorning both trombone and slide!!! That’s really set the scene for next Xmas – anyone got a portable generator?

With around 25 regulars the Training Band has purchased some new stands and a conductors stand over Xmas, so is raring to go. Instruments are available for new starts, and anyone with an instrument and experience would be made very welcome. Come along and give it a try.

No not the Bflat bass type of flute. Our 2nd Bari Helen Clowes has just passed grade 3 on the flute - long silver thing with lots of valves and twiddly bits! Well done Helen Please let us know of any other exam successes and we'll pop them on-line.