Wednesday, August 30, 2000

Annual report 2000

BEENHAM BAND

Report of the Committee for the year ended 31 July 2000

Committee
Chairman - Simon Witcomb, Secretary - Mel Poyda, Treasurer - Eleanor Brooks, Librarian - Janette MacPherson

Conductor - Mike Smethurst-Evans

Constitution
The band was formed in August 1999, with the object of providing the opportunity for members to develop their musical talents by rehearsing together, and to provide entertainment for others by performing in public. A copy of the constitution is attached, for approval at the AGM.

Conductors
We are very fortunate to have Mike Smethurst-Evans as our conductor, and hope that he will continue for 2001. We are very grateful to Trevor Defferd, Jennie Stevenson, Bob Peel, Daniel Nicholls, David Wootton and Pete Singer, who conducted us in the early days.

Members
We now have 30 members who pay subscriptions. We are hoping to increase the membership through a recruitment campaign this autumn, mainly with the hope of filling some gaps in the band line up (trumpets, basses and percussion). The best form of advertising is through word of mouth, so we hope members will continue to spread the word.

Rehearsals
Our first rehearsal was on 17 September 1999, and was attended by eight members. We now meet every Friday evening in term time, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Music
We are very grateful to Beenham Parish Council, for giving us a grant of £200 to buy music and for allowing us to use the school hall for rehearsals, free of charge. We are also grateful to Goring and Streatley Concert Band for lending us music and a tuba. Our library now includes twelve scores which we own.

Performances
Our first performance was in a concert in Beenham church, and we also played Christmas music in Beenham, at Bucklebury School and at the Caversham Club. Our first concert was on 8 April 2000 in Beenham School Hall. This was attended by over 100 people, and made a profit of £327. We have also performed for the Beenham Millennium Madness celebration, and the Beenham school, Midgham and Chapel Row fetes.

Social
A barbecue for band members and their families was held on 1 July 2000, which was great fun. There is also a chance to socialise during the coffee break, and after rehearsals.

Web site
We have a web site (www.beenhamband.org.uk), which has been designed and implemented by Mike Cooney. We intend to keep this up to date with copies of newsletters, music and performances, and hope it will provide members, prospective members and concert organisers with information about the band.

Finances
A copy of the accounts for the year to 31 July 2000 is attached. We intend to continue buying music, to ensure that our repertoire is varied and expanding, and also instruments, as the opportunity and need arise.

Future
Our main aim is to ensure that all members enjoy their music making. We hope that by attracting more members, the band will produce a full and exciting sound, which will be good to listen to and to be part of. Our next concert is on 25 November 2000 in Beenham, although we shall also be performing in Ashford Hill church on 17 November 2000.

Simon Witcomb
30 August 2000