I’ve just received a comment from Martyn, the MD of Watford Band and that has reminded me to post an entry about this week’s rehearsals.

First of all note that I said rehearsals; I’ve managed to get to both rehearsals this week. I like to attend both rehearsals leading up to a concert or contest as I get to learn about any last minute alterations to programmes or pieces or what have you.

The rehearsals this week were great. There was the danger of overdosing on the contest pieces as it’s the Milton Keynes contest on Sunday but we continued to work on new stuff first and then run through the contest programme later. Martyn’s dead right when he says that the band’s ability to sight read new pieces has improved dramatically. Not just reading the notes either, we’re also a lot better at taking in the dynamics, style, geography (repeats, etc.), key changes and tempo changes.

The run through of the contest pieces was very encouraging, on both nights we played them all very well and I think I’ve finally got the volumes sorted out as I didn’t blow my lip out before the end of the second piece! Actually, I think it was an exercise Martyn had us do before that cracked it.

At Tuesday’s rehearsal, Alan, one of our guest players for the contest, commented that the band sounded good which I think is also encouraging. I just hope we haven’t peaked too early and nerves/adrenalin don’t get the better of us on the day. I’m not sure whether I’m more nervous about the playing side or the organisational side. I’ll just have to make sure I’m there early to collect tickets and figure out where our rehearsal room is.

We owe Martyn some of his fees but at the committee meeting on Tuesday he asked our treasurer, Richard, to bring to the contest in cash so that he can stick it behind the bar if we win. There’s definitely an air of confidence about this contest. The band have done well in this contest before and it would be nice to do well and get in amongst the prizes at our first contest back after a couple of years break.

Martyn’s already got his eye on the Pontins contest at Prestatyn in October later in the year. Should make a good weekend away for the band, if they’re prepared to travel.

At the Thursday rehearsal last week Mike, our principal trombonist, handed out and arrangement of Basin Street Blues that he’d done as a trombone solo. It was superb, will be a great addition to our concert programme. Martyn has stated an aim that he wants to get our audiences singing along to our concerts so we’ve been getting new arrangements for things like La Bamba and Jesus Christ Superstar and some well known TV themes like the theme from Soldier Soldier, Musket Fife and Drum. Looks like a good summer season ahead for us providing we can get the gigs in.