One of the most interesting things about being an MD is sorting out programmes for events. Formal concerts, Christmas, bandstands or fetes all require a different approach and it is always a source of amazement how much music is available … Continue reading How to prepare a programme
We’ve all been there, half way through a concert or a rehearsal a valve sticks or a water key cork starts to leak or a Trombone slide starts to sound a bit rough and difficult to move. So what do we do? Well the first port of call is normally to apply some valve oil or slide oil, or in the case of the water key cork probably trying to find a way of securing it until you can fix it properly! There is of course, a way to prevent these problems, and in fairness it must be said that … Continue reading Musical instrument maintenance
I am absolutely sure that we are all glad that 2020 is now a memory, but 2021 hasn’t started any better, in fact its got worse again. First a little politics – skip to the next paragraph if you prefer. … Continue reading Hurray, 2021 is here!
Ok, the last post of 2020 and I promise (a) that it will be short and (b) no mention of the C word! Christmas and brass groups have a long history and one which should be celebrated. Even before brass … Continue reading Brass and Christmas
“No-one would have believed in the early part of this year that 2020 would have been the year it has been” (sorry for the rather cheesy reference to “War of the Worlds”). When Worcester Concert Brass ended their Christmas concert … Continue reading Review of 2020
I have always been in the Microsoft eco-system, ever since Windows 95 and Office 2000 were up to date. I know that there are equally good and integrated systems around but it is what I know and what works for … Continue reading How Microsoft helped my home teaching
It’s been a weird and difficult 2020, but at least there does seem to be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. The development of a vaccine for Covid-19 is welcome but the fact that three that … Continue reading When it’s all over?
That is, of course the question that all those in the performing art, music, dance, theatre etc. want an answer to. Sadly, there is now easy answer to this one, there has been little activity on the arts scene since March when all music venues and theatres were unceremoniously shut down to the pandemic. Now, I am not saying that this shouldn’t have happened, the danger to many vulnerable people was too great to do anything else, as was the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed. However, we must also acknowledge the difficulties that this has caused, people have been … Continue reading When can we play together?
Assuming that Lockdown ends on 2nd December as Boris has decreed, what does it all mean for those who were planning to organise some Christmas carol sessions? Firstly, I must point out that the views and ideas here are my … Continue reading Christmas carolling after Lockdown
One of the commonest things you heard about the Lockdown was the isolation and mental health problems it brought along with it, and fortunately, as we enter a new period of lockdown and although people can still meet in bubbles … Continue reading Social aspects of Lockdown