I hope that you have all had a great 2023 and are looking forward to a break over the holidays. This is a long email, please ensure that you read through as it contains a lot of important information for next year! Please ensure that you have also completed the survey before our first rehearsal next year.
2024 Committee:
Firstly, a huge thank you to the 2023 committee and a special mention to Eleanor Brimblecombe for her work as Band Manager. The 2024 Committee is as follows: Band Manager – Britney Farrar; Treasurer – Zali Gollmer; Librarian – Adrienne Hanslow; Secretary – Angus Hawken; Personnel and Social Manager – Eleanor Brimblecombe; Marketing Manager – Bronte Perrin; General Committee – Calin Hall, Amy Bowyer, Hugo Fahey, Linda Mitchell, Warwick Edwards. Andrew McWade will continue as our Musical Director.
2024 Section Leaders:
The majority of our section leaders from 2023 will remain in their positions with some additions: Flutes – Marcus Paxton; Clarinets – Emma Robinson; Saxophones – Paige Gullifer and Linda Mitchell; Double Reeds – Adrienne Hanslow; Trumpets – Emma McWade; Horns – Eloise Kloch; Lower Brass – Amy Bowyer; Percussion – Aiden Smith.
2024 Key Dates:
These dates may have some changes but please reserve the below. We will communicate changes and reminders regularly throughout the year.
Program 1: Con Concert
Rehearsals: Sunday 04/02/24 – 07/04/24, with the exception of Easter Sunday (31/03/24).
Concert: From 6pm 13/04/24, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Verbrugghen Hall.
Call time TBC. Another community ensemble to join us, TBC group.
Social Events: After rehearsal on 11/02/24 and post concert 13/04/24, details to come. All social events are optional.
Program 2: States and Pre-States Concert
Rehearsals: Sunday 05/05/24 – 28/07/24, with the exceptions of King’s Birthday long weekend (09/06/24), and Barker school holidays (30/06/24 – 21/07/24).
Pre-States Concert: Pencilled in for 5pm 11/08/24 at Barker College, giving us one week to rehearse again before states. This may be with another ensemble.
State Band Championships: Registration opens early 2024, ensemble times yet to be allocated, the program will run across the weekend of 24-25/08/24.
Social Events: TBC
Program 3: Community Concert
Rehearsals: Sunday 01/09/24 – 17/11/24 or 24/11/24, with the exception of Barker school holidays (29/09/24 – 13/10/24).
Concert: Date to be confirmed, planning 24/11/24 or 30/11/24 depending on venue, TBC.
Social Events: TBC
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will continue to run from 4pm at Barker on Sundays. Please ensure that you have arrived by 3:45pm for the 4pm start. So that Andrew can effectively plan our rehearsals, if you are unable to attend, please ensure that you have notified your section leader and have filled out the form on the members section of the website as early as possible. Preferably at least a week in advance if you can. The members portal is also where you can access practice parts when they are available for 2024. You can access the portal here, the password is nsws.
Chamber Groups:
If you are interested in exploring a Chamber Group for 2024 within in NSWS, or have an existing group that would like to work with us, please reach out to Eleanor Brimblecombe as she will be the point of contact for these groups as the Personnel Manager. More to come on this.
Band Fees Structure
There have been some changes to the fee structure for 2024, below are the two options and notes.
Option 1: Pay for the year upfront, this is $220 and covers the three programs. This includes a small discount for the commitment.
Option 2: Pay by program – this is $80 three times a year, at the start of each program.
Notes: If anyone is financially unable to commit to fees or has any questions, please reach out to our treasurer, Zali Gollmer. Band fees will be sent out via email in week three of the season, and followed-up in week seven. For transparency, the committee also has a reduced rate of 50% of band fees from the year (total of $110) as a thank you for their time. Band fees will be reviewed at 2024 AGM.
Members Survey:
Please complete this survey before our first rehearsal, this helps us to get an accurate picture of our ensemble for 2024.
> Click here to complete the survey <
Band Manager Contact Details:
Facebook Messenger: Britney Farrar
Band Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0415505273
If you have any questions regarding the above, please reach out. I have a safe and happy holidays!
Kind regards,
Brit