Crawley Millennium Concert Band (CMCB) was formed as a community band in 1999 in preparation for Crawley town’s Millennium celebrations. The band gave its first concert at the Hawth Theatre, Crawley on 15^th January 2000 to a large and enthusiastic audience. For this concert a group of singers was also formed and they have become established as the Millennium Voices. More recently a 17 piece Dance Band has been formed and comprises members of the main band.

What is a Concert Band?

A concert band is a wind band made up of flutes and piccolos, oboes, clarinets (including bass), saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), bassoons, French horns, trumpets and cornets, trombones (tenor and bass), euphoniums, basses, drums and percussion. CMCB has a keyboard player and uses a wide range of percussion including timpani and tubular bells. String bass or electric bass would be welcome. The full band on stage for an indoor concert typically numbers some 40 musicians. This may reduce to 15-20 for a bandstand gig.

The full complement of the Dance Band is 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocalist. The Millennium Voices comprise male and female singers – soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Membership

Membership of CMCB is open to all wind players who are over 16 years of age and who have attained a standard of proficiency equivalent to Grade V. Membership is at the discretion of the committee and new players will be confirmed following attendance at a number of rehearsals. There is no audition. Membership details are held by the Members Secretary. The membership is largely drawn from Crawley but the catchment extends to a radius of some 20 miles and includes Horsham, East Grinstead and Surrey towns. There are a number of ‘Distant members’ who are mostly past members who now live further afield but who take part in concerts, socials and band tours.

The current membership of over 50 musicians is drawn from all sections of the community.

Director of Music

Sally Hartley is the Director of Music. Sally is a local musician who has lived in Crawley for over 20 years. She teaches woodwind for West Sussex Music Support Service. Sally is the married to Andrew, the band’s principal trumpet player and Vice Chairman. Sally’s father, John Fisher is Chairman and plays bass clarinet. Sally and Andrew celebrated the birth of their daughter this year. Sally’s mother, Jackie is band secretary.

Committee

The committee comprises a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Members Secretary supported by a Librarian, Patron’s Secretary, Social Secretary, Quartermaster and Publicity Officer. The committee holds ad hoc meetings as required. Committee members are nominated and confirmed by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

The Music

The band has an extensive repertoire and can put on performance to suit most occasions. The library includes show music, film music, marches, novelty pieces, selections, suites, overtures, pop, jazz, classics, choral works and specially composed items. This year John Hughes composed ‘Crawley Diamond’ for the band as part of Crawley Town’s 60^th anniversary celebrations.

Rehearsal

The band meets for rehearsal regularly on a Monday evening between 8-10pm at Ifield Community Hall, Dobbins Place, Hyde Drive, Ifield, Crawley . There is usually a refreshment break and there is a pub nearby. There are 30-odd members at a typical rehearsal will all sections represented. The band generally takes a break during August, but may rehearse for special occasions or may be on tour. The Dance band also rehearses at Ifield at pre-arranged times.

Subscription

The current subscription is £20 payable 3 times a year. This helps the band pay for new uniform, music and hire of the rehearsal room.

Uniform

The band has a brand new uniform to replace the ‘teal’ uniform that has served the band well since its inauguration. The uniform is jacket, band tie, white shirt, black trousers, black socks and black shoes. The band has a summer uniform – dispensing with the jacket and wearing an open necked ‘summer shirt’. The band has its own music stand banners that display the CMCB logo.

Transport

Members are expected to fund and make their own arrangements for attending rehearsals and engagements. Car sharing is encouraged. Where appropriate the committee may organize transport to an engagement.

Equipment and instruments

The band has assembled from band funds an extensive library and valuable range of equipment including heavy duty music stands. Members are expected to provide their own instruments, instruments stands and mutes as required.

Engagements

CMCB hold an annual concert at The Hawth, Crawley . This usually takes place in October. Other regular events include the bandstand in Queens Square , St Johns church and Christmas carols. CMCB are Crawley town’s band and support local activities such as the Crawley Festival and local charities. Further afield, CMCB, the Dance band and Millennium Voices entertain at concert halls, bandstands, private functions and village greens. CMCB perform one or more ‘Prom in the Park’ functions each year and have played in Crawley , Hassocks and on Eastbourne bandstand. CMCB has put on a number of joint concerts with military bands and youth groups such as Crawley Area Youth Concert Band. Joint concerts have been held with The Royal Artillery Band, The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music and The Sussex Band of the Royal British Legion. A further joint concert with the Brigade of Guards is planned for April 2008.

Sponsors and Supporters

CMCB has been fortunate in receiving corporate, public and private financial support. Regular donations have been received from Crawley Borough Council and English Partnerships. Various local firms and local branches of national chains have provided funding or donations-in-kind for music, equipment, stationery and publicity. Individual supporters are encouraged to become Patrons. The band’s Patrons secretary keeps patrons informed of news and engagements.

Tours

In 2001 the band made its first tour abroad to Crawley ’s twin town Dorsten . This was followed by participation in the music and cultural festival in Gyula , Hungary to which the band has returned. Not content with this achievement, the band toured the Ukraine in 2004 taking part in their Independence celebrations and playing before an audience of 27,000 in the town on Ternopil. The band is planning a further tour in 2008.

Social

The band Social Secretary organizes ‘socials’ – typically these involve activities such as eating and drinking, bowling or going to a show. Occasional weekend musical events are organized and the band has held two ‘camps’ at Lodge Hill.

CD

CMCB made its first CD, ‘Millennium Gold’ five years ago and has recently completed a second – ‘Millennium Live’. These are available from the band.