About Us

CMCB Dance Band - Hungary 2006

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 35 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 around 35 musicians is drawn from all sections of the community.

Director of Music

Hawth Concert - October 2007

Sally has lived in Crawley since she was 12. After finishing her A levels at Hazelwick school she studied clarinet, piano and voice at the London College of Music, graduating in 1993 with an honours degree.

After graduating, Sally followed a variety of musical paths including cover and original rock bands, solo piano/vocal work abroad, orchestral work and score reading. She also worked with show band “Six til Midnite” for several years spending most weekends playing gigs up and down the country.

Sally now leads a more conventional lifestyle, teaching woodwind in Primary and Secondary schools for West Sussex Music Service. She has been CMCB’s Director of Music since its formation and is proud of their success and the reputation it has made both home and abroad. Her aim is to maintain the bands high standard of performance.

Sally is married to Andrew - CMCB’s chairman principal trumpet player. The couple have a three year old daughter, Anna.

Committee

The committee comprises a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Members Secretary supported by a Librarian, Patron’s 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 60th 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, bow 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.

Band Camp 2007

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.

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.

Hungary Tour 2006

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. In 2008 the band went on tour to Rome and completed a hectic programme of concerts, including playing at the British Embassy.

Social

The band often 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.

Recordings

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