Hi there! Welcome to Marion City Band's first ever e-newsletter. This is a new initiative set up by the band in order to keep our supporters and frie

   

Hi there!

Welcome to Marion City Band's first ever e-newsletter. This is a new initiative set up by the band in order to keep our supporters and friends up to date with recent news, upcoming events and other happenings inside and out of the band hall. We hope that you enjoy this first edition and take the opportunity to share it with other friends and supporters. You can let us know your thoughts by sending an e-mail to mcbsocialmedia@gmail.com or, if you are viewing the newsletter as a webpage, you can use the Facebook social plug-in at the bottom of the page.

The post-Nationals season has been very busy time for Marion City Band, Warriparinga and the Learners' Class. With preparations underway for the South Australian State Championships and our upcoming appearance at the Barossa Band Festival, the players and committee have been working around the clock to make it all happen. Not to mention that, like many other bands, there is a plethora of Christmas concerts and pageants just around the corner! If you're interested in attending any of these events, be sure to check out our 'Upcoming Events' section.

Thanks for your support and stay in touch!

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Recent News

State Champions!!!

Both Marion City Band and Warriparinga Brass successfully defended their titles at the South Australian State Championship Festival, held on the 25th and 26th of August.

The weekend's festivities commenced with the solo and party championships on the Saturday. Both Marion and Warriparinga fielded a number of entrants across the junior open/novice, senior open/novice and ballad events.Congratulations to all entrants on their performances! Special mentions must also be given to Kathy Bickley, Andrew Barrett and Elizabeth McDonald, who provided accompaniment for the Marion and Warri soloists throughout the day. Full results can be found at the following URL: http://www.sabandassociation.org/html/results_2012.html.

Warriparinga Brass was the first band to perform in the following day's Open D Grade section. The band performed three items for adjudication: 'Holy, Holy, Holy' arr. James Curnow, Vaughn Williams' 'Little Suite for Brass' and 'Slaidburn' by William Rimmer. Adjudicator, David Gallaher, described Warri's programme as "well rehearsed and well chosen... very enjoyable to listen to". Relative newcomers, St. John's Ambulance Band, gave a great set of performances to challenge Warriparinga for the title. Ultimately, Mr. Gallaher adjudicated in Warriparinga's favour with a decisive winning margin of seven points.

Marion took to the stage in the afternoon with an ambitious competition programme for the Open C Grade section. Marion played 'Wondrous Cross' arr. Philip Wilby, 'Tallis Variations' by Philip Sparke and 'Simoraine' by Clive Barraclough. It would appear that the risk paid off with Marion winning the Major Work and Stage March disciplines, and retaining last year's Open C Grade Champion title. In particular, Mr. Gallaher commended the band's pianissimo playing the hymn, describing the band's efforts overall as "an impressive performance of a tough programme".

Following the on stage performances, all competing bands took to the street for the Street March events. Both Marion and Warriparinga enjoyed themselves and gave solid performances of 'March of the Cobblers' for the crowd's enjoyment. A special congratulations goes out to Warriparinga Drum Major Stephanie Legg on her debut with the Band. Congratulations also to Unley Concert Band on winning the Street March event.

Finally, the day ended with the results ceremony and social event sponsored by the City of Unley. Musical Director, Veronica Boulton, had this to say about the Bands' performances on the day:

"Both Warriparinga and Marion went onto stage and really performed this weekend. I am so proud and pleased with how far the players have come. Every performance is that little bit better than the last, and individuals keep lifting to meet the challenge... I can't wait for our next challenge, and I don't think I'm the only one!"

Marion City Band extends its congratulations to all competitors in this year's championships and offers its thanks to the SABA organising committee and volunteers. Looking forward to next year's event!

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New Partnership

Marion City Band is pleased to announce its new association with upcoming UK composer Dave Collins. Dave recently contacted MCB to offer the band the opportunity to play some of his arrangements and compositions. Dave is currently a third-year music student at the University of Durham where he studies composition under the tutelage of Ray Farr and Huw Thomas. Dave also holds the position of Composer-In-Residence with the Fishburn Band (championship section, UK) and a concert featuring his works will be held as part of the 2012 Durham International Brass Festival.

The bands have thoroughly enjoyed playing Dave's works and are hoping to use them at some of our upcoming concerts.

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You say goodbye, I say hello

The Learners' Class said goodbye to a number of its key players this term as they make the move up to Warriparinga Brass. A brief concert was held for family and friends at the conclusion of their last rehearsal on the 18th of August. Congratulations to the following players and good luck for your musical development with the other bands!

Russel Bested
Ethan Schembri
Olivia Morris
Alana McEvoy
Ben Sharman

We have also welcomed a number of new players to the ranks in recent times. Welcome to...

Kayla Finlay
Douglas Cooke
Karina Cooke
Tasman Cooke

We hope that you all enjoy your time with Marion City Band!

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I've been everywhere man

Following the Bands' performances at this year's State Championships, Veronica and George decided to use their post-Championship break from rehearsals (and work!) to holiday in Western Australia. As part of the prize for taking out the 2011 Blue Lake Band Festival KEA Musical Director of the Year award, Veronica was given use of a campervan for the duration of the trip, free of charge! Both Veronica and George would like to pass on their gratitude to KEA and the contest organisers for their generosity.

Both Marion and Warriparinga will be participating once again in this year's festival and Christmas pageant in Mt. Gambier. More details can be found below.

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Upcoming Events

Interested in hearing any of the bands perform? See below for details... full list of upcoming performances can be found on the band's website.

Barossa Band Festival

Date: 20th October, 2012
Time(s):
Parade of Bands - 1pm
Warriparinga Brass & Youth - On stage 3~4pm
Marion City Band: On stage at some point between 4.30~7pm
Location:
Parade of Bands - Murray Street, Tanunda
On stage - Brenton Langbein Theatre

Marion, Warri Brass & Warri Youth will each perform an entertainment programme and participate in the street march for adjudication. Come on out to the Barossa Band Festival for a day of fun in the beautiful Barossa Valley!

Open to public?: Yes

Ethnic Schools' Association Parade

Date: 20th October, 2012
Time: 10.00am
Location: Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide CBD

Marion City Band & Warriparinga Brass will be marching in this year's Ethnic Schools' Association Parade, an event celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of our South Australian schools.

Open to public?: Yes

Blue Lake Band Festival

Date: 17th November, 2012
Time: All day!
Location: Mt. Gambier

Marion City Band and Warriparinga Brass will be making the trip down to Mt. Gambier to participate in the Blue Lake Brass Band Festival this year. The bands will play the usual on-stage competition programme and take part in the Mt. Gambier Christmas Pageant.

Open to public?: Yes

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Recruitment

Interested in playing with Marion City Band? MCB welcomes players on all instruments but we are specifically recruiting players on the following instruments at the moment:

Learners' Classes

These classes are mainly for beginners - all instruments are welcome!

Warriparinga Brass

Soprano Cornet
Cornet (positions negotiable)
Trombone (positions negotiable)
Eb Tuba
Bb Tuba

Marion City Band

Cornet (positions negotiable)
Bass Trombone
Eb Tuba
Bb Tuba

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Contact Us

You can find more information about the Marion City Band at the following URL: http://www.marioncityband.org/.

Want to get in touch? Just shoot us an e-mail at mcbsocialmedia@gmail.com.

You can also find the band on Facebook and Twitter. Just click on the icons below to find us.

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