President's Winter Newsletter
July 2010

I hope that you have all had a good 'winter' break.

We look forward to seeing everyone at rehearsal on Wednesday 21 July.

We have a lot of performances coming up and much new music to rehearse for these:

• Strathalbyn Band Festival - Sunday 8 August
• State Championships at Tanunda - Saturday 18 September
• Plus we are invited to play in an entertainment contest in the evening for a big prize.
• SABA Concert Band Festival - Sunday 24 October
• Note that this may well now be a Concert by UCB.
• Remembrance Day - 11 November
• This is a weekday so probably an ensemble rather than full band will be looked for; more on this later.
• We could also have an early look at pieces possibly for the Nationals in 2011

Please be warming up for a prompt start at 7.30 p.m.

Stands - Please bring your own, if possible, please. Jim Warren volunteered to take all the stands away and mend them.There may not be any or many available on this Wednesday.

Photocopier - good news, the photocopier is working.

Congratulations

1. To all those who played in the Broadway Spectacular. To the audience - and I was in it - the Band sounded excellent: all the entries, changes of tempo and general balance and sound were just right.
   Thanks to Kevin for non-stop energy and direction of the Show.
   I think that the exposure with the Tutti was good and the experience of having to be accompanists a new one for many people.
2. The band was asked to contribute to a couple of events that the Unley Libraries organise during the school holidays for young children on 8 and 13 July. Several members (Margaret C, Alan W, Corinne, Tim, Nicky et al) kindly gave of their time to go to the Goodwood and Unley libraries during two afternoons to play their instruments and talk to the kids. The Library and the children's mums were very grateful and it was good community input so thank you to those that were able to do this for us.
3. The band has also been asked to provide music for the Unley Friends of the Library social afternoon on Sunday 25 July. Jacob T is leading a brass group and Kirby is organising a Sax group for this. Thanks to all who have been rehearsing for this. The Library staff are always very helpful to us so it is good to be able to do this for them and gain exposure of the band’s versatility to the Unley Community.
4. For each of the Unley Council's Citizenship ceremonies this year the band has provided an ensemble to play music beforehand and to play the National Anthem. This is a good, community input and the ensembles that have played have been excellent and very impressive, so thanks to them and to Sarah B who has lead them.
   The band has been asked to provide an ensemble for the Ceremony on the evening of 12 August. Nicky is organising a woodwind ensemble, this time.
• The above Community events are ones where the full band would not be appropriate and it is really good that we have members who can provide inputs in the smaller group formats so that we can be seen to be contributing to the Community in a variety of ways.
5. Thanks to Nadia who took the initiative to organise a Film Night to see Shrek in 3D last week. The group who were able to go along had an enjoyable evening and it raised funds for the band.

The Committee continues to work at organising the band's affairs. If you have any ideas, concerns or questions do let us know about these. We are having another Strategic Planning meeting in August where we look ahead several years to map out the future for the band. We have asked various members to be Section Leaders in the past without really giving them very much guidance but we plan to do that shortly - nevertheless, please give your section leader your support when asked.

The Band's AGM is scheduled for Wednesday 8 September but, as usual, we will rehearse beforehand as we have much to rehearse.

Best wishes

David Corkindale
President UCB

December 31, 2009

President's End of Year Message 2009
December 2009

It's been an interesting year with many highlights. Thank you all for participating so wholeheartedly. We trust that you have found the band's activities and performances enjoyable and worthwhile for you. I think that the concert with the Tutti Choir at Henley was a joyous and worthwhile end to the year. It will be good to work towards the major Broadway musicals performances with them next year.

Initial dates for 2010

Brendan has emailed an update for the schedule for the whole of 2010. We aim to stick with that now. So, please work to it.

The first rehearsal will be on Wednesday 13 January.

There will be no full band performance on Australia Day.

A small ensemble is to play at the Unley Council Citizenship ceremony in the evening and a predominantly brass group is being organised by Bronwyn Kenny.

Jeff is coordinating the sub-group of the marching band for the movie shoot. He or Brendan will issue further information on exactly where and when the band is required as soon as they can, but please bear with them on this as it can be a notoriously vague and last-minute sort of exercise. Let's hope that it is fun for those involved; we know the group will represent us well for posterity on film.

Strategic Planning

We do want the band to be something that you enjoy being in but also feel that you are stimulated to improve your musicianship. To help the band progress we have instituted a Strategic Planning exercise. The idea is to get on top of running the band in a purposeful way rather than being somewhat driven by immediate requirements and events. The aim is to determine what sort of band we want to be, what its aims are and then put in place some policies and procedures to fulfill this in a managed and efficient way. Since we are all volunteers we need to do things in a very effective and time-efficient way.

The committee has had a couple of long meetings already. Each member of the committee is responsible for an area or major activity. They have recruited two or three people from the band community to help them and each presented a short report to the meeting we had at Jeff's house in the week before Xmas. If you would like to contribute to one of these groups to help develop the Strategic Plan do contact the committee member below:

• Aims & Objectives of the band - Nicky Molloy ( Nicky's group will be speaking with various members and asking for everyone's input via questionnaire early in the New Year).
• Artistic Planning & Development - Kevin. ( In a nine page document Kevin has mapped out a range of activities that he feels the band should undertake in order to not only develop current members but also to contribute to the next generation of young musicians and potential members. Through these activities he feels that the UCB can contribute a leadership role to banding in South Australia.)
• Recruitment of new players - Sonia Radford. (Sonia has already made contact with schools in our area and her group will continue to work on ways to attract new players. This will include some advertisements in the local press. )
• A Business Plan - Bryan Scherer. (Bryan is working on developing a budget and a system so that we can evaluate the full consequences of proposals that other groups in the planning exercise may come up with as well as opportunities that may arise.)

  As a sub activity of the Business Plan I, David C, is developing a Marketing Plan for the band which will indicate the sorts of things we should be doing to support the achievement of our other goals like recruitment and gaining grants.

• Grants and Sponsorships - Maritana Richards (Tanika's mother, who is very experienced at running community organisations and helped us win some grants this year.)
• Equipment and Library - Richard Giles & Janet Stone
• Uniform - Jeff Hale (The aim is to have a new uniform by Easter 2011. Jeff's team will propose some potential designs and ask for band members' comments.)
• Marching gigs and events - Jeff assisted by Maurice Lateu
• Concert management - Liz Thompson (Liz will create a master list of jobs to be done when we are preparing for a concert and for the concert day. We want to avoid 're-creating the wheel' each time and also having to ask everyone to turn up early to help set up. We plan to have a roster for this sort of thing and know in advance exactly what needs to be done.)
• Website - Andrew Edgeworth (Andrew's team have various enhancements to the band website planned.)

If you'd like to help or contribute to this planning activity please get in touch with the relevant team leader and if you are asked please try to contribute.

Thanks

Lots of people have contributed to the band's activities during the year and too many to mention individually - which is great. The contribution has not stopped, however, in that Richard Giles worked from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. yesterday adding more shelving in the store room; he was ably assisted by Ken and Frank. This gives us extra room to store things more neatly and give Janet more room to organise the music.

Best wishes for the New Year for all your endeavours including those of the UCB.

David Corkindale
President UCB

December 31, 2009

President's Spring Message 2009
September 2009

Hello all,

I want to firstly let you know who your officers and committee are for band for 2009-10, following the AGM, remind you of the schedule of upcoming events at which we are due to play and give you the basic details of the very good deal that Brendan has been able to get for us for going to Hobart next Easter.

1. The Officers and Committee of your band are:

   David Corkindale - President

   Brendan Kenny - Secretary

   Bryan Scherer - Treasurer

   Nicky Molloy, Andrew Edgeworth, Sonia Radford, June Elliot, Jeff Hale, Maritana Richards, Richard Giles, Anna Coppens, Liz Thompson + MD Dr. Kevin Cameron

   Social secretary - Kirby Heath

2. Schedule for the rest of 2009

   Wednesday 30 September	NO REHEARSAL
   Wednesday Oct 7	Resume rehearsals - lots to do
   Sunday 18 Oct	The Unley Concert Band Festival	Concordia College 1 p.m.
   Saturday 24 Oct	Barossa Band Festival Tanunda	Test/ Concert items 1 p.m, March 4 p.m.
   Sat 7 Nov	"Freedom to March" march + ceremony in recognition of the band's achievements by the City of Unley	Unley 2 p.m.
   Wed 16 Dec	Christmas Concert with the Tutti Choir This will be a major event with a large audience	Henley Beach
   Sunday 13 December	rehearsal with Tutti Choir
   Wednesday 9 Dec	rehearsal with Tutti Choir

   For the Unley Festival we will get flyers to you soon and ask that you publicise the event as much as possible. We need a good audience. Tell all your friends by email, Facebook and Twitter. We will have a raffle so please donate a prize to Michaela at the rehearsal on 14 October.

3. Pageants

   The Band has committed to playing in the following 5 Pageants:

   Sat 14 Nov	Credit Union Pageant	assemble 8.15 a.m.
   Sun 22 Nov	Glenelg Pageant	assemble 10.00 a.m.
   Sat 28 Nov	Norwood Pageant	assemble 10.00 a.m.
   Fri 4 Dec	Blackwood	assemble 6.00 p.m.
   Sat 5 Dec	Mt Barker	tba

   In addition to the above Pageants we have made enquiries about playing in the following two - subject to enough members being available and willing to participate:

   Sat 21 Nov	Murray Bridge	tba - but evening
   Sat 5 Dec	Mannum	after Mt Barker one

   Please note that Times and arrangements for all the Pageants will be confirmed and issued later - the above ones are a guide.

4. Hobart Easter 2010 - tour outline details and cost

   As you probably know, the Nationals in 2010 will be held in Hobart and I think that many are keen to see if we can crack the B grade at the very least.

   Through Brendan's efforts we have been able to get the offer of a very attractive package:

   • Leave Good Friday morning and Return late on Easter Monday (3 nights).
   • Stay in twin-bed rooms in family unit in good motel (The Tower motel)
   • Return Flights with Qantas via Melbourne.
   • On ground bus transfers inc. Motel to venue return.
   • Weight allowance: 20 kgs + 7 kgs.carry on. (Weight restriction based on 40 members.)
   • Approximately $440 - for the above.
   • Approximately $486 - for single beds in double room.

   We can not enter into variations on this basic package. However, we think that this is a very good arrangement and need to book it quickly.

   We will give you the conditions and other detail separately.

   Can anyone who has not let Brendan know their availability to play in Hobart please do so by Wednesday 30 September.

   If you want a partner or friend come on the Tour, please inform Brendan by this date.

   If you had said you would go independently but now want to take up this offer, please do so by the above date.

5. Member News.

   Anna Day will be returning from overseas and will be rejoining the band from early February next year and passes on her best wishes to everyone.

6. Social Events

   Kirby kindly volunteered to coordinate social activities. Please let her know of any ideas you have for these. Provisionally we may aim to have an 'end of year' break-up after the Concert on Wednesday 16 December.

September 27, 2009

President's Autumn Message 2009
May 2009

Hello all,

I hope that you have had a good break since we were last all together over Easter.

In this Newsletter we alert you to some immediate matters and then reflect on Easter in Sydney and then pass on some notes on the Anzac Tour for those who were not able to make it.

1. First rehearsal back

   We have our first rehearsal after the Easter break on May 20th. We look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday.

   This rehearsal will be in:

   The Uniting Church, corner of Unley Road and Edmund Avenue. This is opposite the Memorial Gardens, not far from the Town Hall.

   Please bring your own stand.

   Please also bring all the music that you may still have from the Sydney trip and/or the Anzac Tour. Kevin has been looking for new entertainment pieces for us to play.

2. St. Andrews School Concert

   We have a Concert on Sunday, June 14th.

   This will be in the St. Andrews School Hall, which is on Church Street, near the corner of Stephen Terrace, Walkerville.

   The plan would probably be to have a rehearsal at 10.00 in the morning, have a social lunch and then start the Concert at 2.00. please put this date in your diary, thanks.

3. SA State Championships

   The SA State Championships will be held over the weekend of 29-30 August; please put the date in your diary.

   During the rest of the year we will have an interesting series of events and activities.

   As you probably know, the Nationals in 2010 will be held in Hobart and I think that many are keen to see if we can crack the B grade at the very least.

4. The 2009 Victorian State Band Championships

   The 2009 Victorian State Band Championships will be held in Ballarat on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August 2009. Many of you will recall the road trip we had last year.

   The committee of the Band will soon need to determine whether the Unley Concert Band will compete at these championships this year. As part of a consultative approach the committee is seeking the opinions of all of its members in arriving at this decision. Whilst the finer details are yet to be determined, it is envisaged that should the band go, travel arrangements would probably be: leave Friday morning, return by early Sunday evening. The accommodation arrangements would probably be similar to last year's Ballarat trip with a cost of somewhere around $160 - $200 in total for the weekend. We have a title to defend and our attendance could remind us of championship competition conditions in the lead up to the SA State championships (which are the following weekend.).

   The committee need to know by 7.00 p.m. next Tuesday night, if possible:

   (a) Is your preference for the band to attend or not to attend?

   (b) In the event the Unley Concert Band Committee wished the band to attend this event, would you able to attend?

   Please email, text or phone Brendan or a committee member with your view, thanks.

5. Member News.

   Our illustrious timpani player, Gabby, left us at the end of the Anzac Tour to stay on in France to work and soak up the French culture for maybe a year. The already much travelled clarinettist, Kathy , also left us in France to resume her globetrotting - I think that she is in the US at the moment. Our former bass clarinettist, Anna Day, is still in Laos working on various community development projects and experiencing a very different way of life.

   The adventurousness of our members means that we must keep steadily recruiting new members. Please be on the lookout for good players to be encouraged to join us.

6. The Nationals in Sydney.

   Thank you everyone for a great effort in Sydney. I think that everyone pulled together in terms of contributing to a good rehearsal at the Kings School and then doing their best on the day. Kevin will give us the feedback from the adjudicator as well as his own comments, no doubt, next Wednesday.

   The band that won B grade is part of an organisation in Sydney that has three bands. The organisation is somewhat similar to the Police Rangers here and has existed for many years. Their band won the B grade at the Nationals in 2008 so we were up against an accomplished and probably lower A grade band. We did well to be top of the rest.

7. My reflections on some of the aspects of the Anzac Tour.

   The organisation of the Tour went extremely well in that: nothing went missing, all the travel connections happened as planned and everyone seemed to get on with each other all through our time together. I think that we all owe a great deal to the time and effort that Kevin spent in planning everything down to the last detail and then allocating jobs so that the day-to-day tasks were done but shared around.

   I think that we accomplished all the musical assignments very competently and the presentational requirements with great style and presence. We had some amazing experiences - things that I am sure many will remember all their lives.

May 20, 2009

President's New Year Message 2009
January 2009

I thank everyone for their contribution to a successful 2008. With the continued support of the Mayor and the Unley Council and under the continuing music direction of Kevin we have been able to build the capability of the band.

We look forward to a busy year in 2009. We start with the high profile performance for the Australia Day Council's luncheon at the Adelaide Town Hall. After that we will be rehearsing in earnest for the National Championships in Sydney from which a contingent of the band will head off to Europe for the band's first overseas tour. These events require all members to subscribe to a demanding schedule of rehearsals and we started back from the Christmas break earlier than usual. I thank everyone for entering into the spirit and making these early practices `both well prepared but enjoyable. Although we have a good team we are always looking to add to it so keep a look out for new, capable players to join us.

Our dedicated secretary of several years, Margaret, moved back to focusing on contributing through her bassoon playing and I�d like to thank her again for all the work she did for us. We were fortunate to gain Brendan as the new secretary and he is bringing an equal dedication and thoroughness to our running of the band.

Let's make 2009 another year to remember in the progress of the band.

April 2009

President's Spring Message 2008
9 September 2008

Dear Fellow Band members

Here are some items of news that you may not have caught up with plus a reminder of our schedule for the rest of the year.

Members and Band receive Awards

The South Australian Band Association held its AGM last Friday evening.

Margaret Chittleborough received the SABA Award of Merit for her services to UCB and support for various other bands over many years.

The SABA Band of the Year went to The Unley Concert Band. This was for the range of activities and accomplishments during the year, our Anniversary year.

A new Award was inaugurated this year for 'participation' in SABA activities. It is based upon a points system where points are given for the number of people in a band entering events, where they and/or the band are placed and for the hours devoted to helping run SABA events. The award went to The Unley Concert Band as we got more points than any other. K & N were second. People like Andrew E, Nicky M and Nadia were major contributors to helping achieve this award; thanks to them.

Quiz Night success

The Quiz Night on Saturday was a great success. Well over 100 people came along and a very good financial outcome for the band was achieved. As well as the fund raising I think that the night was fun and those that were there will long remember the parade of bizarrely clad super-heroes! Thanks to those who attended and brought along their friends. Thanks, too, to those who donated prizes and/or gained prizes from various companies - the array of prizes was impressive. Particular thanks on behalf of all members must go to Nicky Molloy who led the organisation of the night together with her band of hard-working helpers.

Things requiring attention

• Tunarama: Port Lincoln 23 - 26 January 2009

  The band has been invited to attend this event - all expenses paid, to lead a parade (on Saturday 24th.) and play a concert (25th). The plan is to leave on Friday lunch time ( 23rd.) and return on 26th. Travel by bus but use the Ferry.

  Please sign the availability sheet for this on Wednesday and/or contact Brendan asap.

• Unley Spring Festival - Sunday 21 September.

  Please: publicise this event*. Donate a prize for the raffle. Bring a plate for the Tea.

  * 3 concert bands . Afternoon Tea. Town Hall 2 p.m. $7.50 including afternoon tea.

• Uniform: for the Pageants and outside performances you need a band hat - if you do not have one or any other item please let June, Brendan or I know asap.

9 September 2008

President's Autumn Update
2 April 2008

Dear fellow band members

I want to thank you for all your support and playing at the Unley Way to Go. There were a lot of people who listened to us and stayed around under the tents to continue enjoying our music while it rained. The Mayor and Council CEO congratulated the band later for their performance.

One of the aims for 2008 is to move up in the standard of general musicianship.

As Kevin stresses, this can be helped greatly by members actually practicing during the week between rehearsals and by studying practice parts of the pieces we are preparing.

We can also help if we can all be active recruiters of some further good players. Kevin suggests that we should aim to be recruiting people of grade 5 at least in future.

This Newsletter contains a copy of the schedule of events for the next part of the year; there are some changes in italics- please make sure that they are in your diary, thanks. David C.

1. The 2009 National Championships in Sydney
   

   The Band will definitely be participating in Sydney next year as most members have indicated that they will be supporting this activity.

2. The 2009 Tour of Northern France

   A contingent of the Band will definitely be undertaking the tour as numbers make it viable.

Sun Sept 14:Combined concert with Prince Alfred College at PAC.

Sun. Sept 21:UCB Bands Festival/contest with invited bands, Unley Town Hall

Wed. Sept 24:NO REHEARSAL (Break)

2 April, 2008