Playing with the Band

Rehearsals

The band meets for rehearsal regularly on a Monday evening between 8 - 10 pm at Ifield West Community Centre, Dobbins Place, Hyde Drive, Crawley RH11 0PL. There is a refreshment break during the rehearsal, and some members can be found in the local pub at the end of the evening. The band generally takes a break during August.

Hungary Tour 2006

Subscriptions

Crawley Millennium Concert Band is a self-funding organisation, and as such, members pay subscriptions towards running costs, including hall hire, music and new uniform. Currently, subscriptions are £20 per term.

Uniform

The band has a formal uniform and a summer uniform. The formal uniform comprises a band jacket (provided by the band), black bow tie, white shirt, black trousers, black socks and black shoes. For summer gigs, the band wears a summer shirt (provided by the band) and black trousers, socks and shoes. 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 organise transport to an engagement.

Equipment and instruments

Members are expected to provide their own instruments, and are responsible for insuring them. The band provides music stands for rehearsals and concerts. In addition, the band has an extensive range of percussion equipment, including its own drum kit, timpani and tubular bells.

Engagements

The band holds an annual concert in Crawley, currently taking place in the Easter term. Other regular events include playing in the bandstand in Queen’s Square, performing in Horsham, and joining in Christmas festivities. As Crawley’s town band, we support local activities such as the Crawley Festival and local charities. We also play in bandstands along the south coast, for private functions and in the middle of fields for village fairs.

Band Camp 2007

Social

The band often organises ‘socials’, including an annual Christmas dinner and other activities such as bowling. Occasional weekend musical events are organised, such as the Band camp in 2007, where various musical activities are arranged for all to join in and have fun!

Recordings

CMCB made its first CD, ‘Millennium Gold’, in 2002. A second recording was made in 2006 - ‘Millennium Live’. Both these CDs are available from the band.