Blog Entry 3rd October 2024
Welcome to our new blog! Alex here and I promise I’m going to write one at least once every half term. Let’s see how long this lasts. In the meantime, I hope that you’ll subscribe to the blog. I’ll chat about the two bands we now have, give out info regarding concerts (though of course I’ll include this is more formal emails too) and give you an idea about how the year is going according to RASO.
As you’ll now know, due to budget cuts across the county HMS decided that our two wind bands would need to become one. It was a difficult and ultimately sad decision to have to make and was made across the county in all areas. I was fearful that we would lose a few members (which we did) but hopeful that the combined sound of the two bands would be incredible, (which it is) creating an opportunity for the younger players to rise to new challenges, while keeping challenges going for the more mature members. This can and is being done – I’m confident that the repertoire chosen so far caters for players of all experiences. It’s not an exact science however, and I’m honestly very happy for members to come to me with any concerns they may have. So far, I’m thrilled with the sound of the newly formed wind band (btw I’d like to change the name soon (but I’m waiting for the go-ahead from HMS J).
The RASO staff welcomed a new member, Andy Veale this September. An incredible musician and teacher, he’s already an asset to the band and very popular with members. As I write tonight, I’m extremely grateful to Andy and Angela as they have both stepped in and taken both rehearsals because…..
I herniated a disc at the weekend! It marks the 3rd Thursday night rehearsal I’ve missed in 14 years. I’m determined not to make it to 5 before I retire…
Angela has done prodigious work supporting the bands and to anyone who’d like to see it, she’s done an immense job alphabetising our extensive wind band music library. It’s in the corridor at the school and is truly a sight to behold. How lucky we’ll be to know exactly where a piece of music is, be able to put our arm in the cupboard and simply pull it out. It will be the envy of all HMS ensembles, I’m sure.
The RASO website has been updated along with new dates for the diary. I’d encourage you to take a look and note these down.
YES, RAYJO’s popular Elvis night is back this year. Last performed in 2017, I’m going to go back to the arrangements I wrote and improve them. In 2017 we performed for one night at the Plaza, but left a lot of people disappointed that they were too late to buy tickets, so we’re taking the plunge and doing two nights in a row mat the Romsey Academy. RAYJO will be involved on both nights, as the band that accompanies Elvis (Craig Jefferson) and the Wind Band will perform on one of the nights too.
I wonder who will ready this blog. Who will comment…? Who will comment on my SPAG?
Till next time
Alex