Monday 11 November 2024
Hello everyone and happy new half term.
The run up to Christmas is always a busy one for both teachers and students alike. Despite this I always seem to find it a fun one though if I manage to stop for a second, breathe and think about it…
Except that…
I DON’T LIKE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!
Actually, that’s not true at all. Let me rephrase…
I DON’T LIKE REHEARSING CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!
“Why??” I hear you grownups ask…
“What the sigma??” I hear the rest of you ask…
Well, it’s music we don’t get to perform much, so I don’t really like investing rehearsal time on it.
‘Bah, Humbug’
Personally I try to make it a policy not to start rehearsing any Christmas material until this half term but, I must confess that I broke my own rule this year – all in the name of good quality rehearsal and performances, I hasten to add.
Rehearsing on Thursdays seems to mean we get hit every which way with other school’s open evenings, parents evenings, school trips – you name it, so we struggled to get a full rehearsal in last half term. This past Thursday however, we started off with a bang, with the bands seeming to look bigger than ever. It’s been great to have an all-inclusive policy for RASO. I’ve always tried to make it a point that anyone of the right experience level can and should join if they show the right level of interest. The challenge can mean, however, that
togetherness, balance and listening across sections while playing becomes all the more important. Both bands are definitely getting there though and I was super-happy with the output of both bands this past Thursday. Thank you all for professionalism and great playing. You’re never too young to play and rehearse like a professional J whether you’re paid or not J
The George’s Trust concert is just round the corner and the staff at RASO are counting on all members joining us and performing. I’m also planning to continue rehearsing as normal on Thursday the 12th December, so please could that be added to the diary too? It’ll be great to start looking at new, ‘un-Christmassy’ material on this date. Bah… again
The following is copied and pasted from my latest email out…
‘I now have the timings for the short rehearsals on the day of the George’s Trust concert. They are as follows:
5.30pm – 5.50pm RAYJO
5.50pm – 6.10pm Wind Band
Performance at 7pm.
Both bands will need to stay for the duration of the concert please.
I would like to change the uniform of the Wind Band slightly. Could we now dress in all black with the green ties that the concert band used to wear? There is no rush to buy a tie but they are available from me to any new members for £10 each. This means will be no need for students who perform in both bands to change shirt.
That’s all for now. I hope you have a great few weeks and I’ll look forward to seeing you at rehearsals.
Alex