Dunbartonshire Concert Band Homepage

Founded 1973

Musical Director: Robert Baxter

Concerts/Events	Tours
Rehearsals	Conductor
Repertoire	Music Library
Highlights	History
Subscriptions	New Members
Constitution	Committee
Contacts	Pictures
Chamber Groups	Links
Friends of DCB	Recordings

A community wind band for the Greater Glasgow area, supported by funds from...

The Dunbartonshire Concert Band (DCB) is a vibrant and successful community wind orchestra serving the Greater Glasgow area, supported by voluntary contributions and Making Music Scotland (formerly NFMS) with funds provided by the Scottish Arts Council. DCB was formed in 1973 and exists to give an outlet to the musical talents of amateur wind, brass and percussion players of all ages. We currently rehearse every Saturday morning in Cairns Church Hall (Milngavie) and have a membership coming from Dunbartonshire and the Greater Glasgow area. We give concerts throughout the year in venues large and small, both in and out of doors. The Band is available for a variety of fundraising, social and community events - please contact any committee member for details.

Winners (with Honours) at the 2003 Glasgow Music Festival Silver Award at the 2003 National Concert Band Festival

Gold Award at the 2004 National Concert Band Festival Silver Award at the 2006 National Concert Band Festival

Rehearsals

Time: Saturday mornings, 9:45 - 12:30

Place: Cairns Church Hall (11 Buchanan Street, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 8AW - adjacent to Milngavie Station/Milngavie Town Hall)
- Click here for map.
New session begins - Saturday 25 August, 2007
Restart after Xmas - Saturday 5 January, 2008
Check the schedule (below) for additional rehearsal information.

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Concerts and other events for 2007-2008:-

Rehearsals resume Saturday, 25 August, 2007

31 August - 2 September, 2007: Rehearsal Weekend Away (St. Andrews)

1 November 2007 - Erskine Hospital (Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm)

18 November 2007 - National Concert Band Festival (RSAMD, Glasgow)
9 December 2007 - Kelvingrove Gallery concert (Sunday, 1:00-2:30pm)
13 December 2007 - DCB Christmas Concert (Cairns Church, 7:30pm)
15 December 2007 - last rehearsal before Xmas: small group bash, followed by band lunch (West Highland Gate).
Restart after Xmas & New Year - Saturday 5 January, 2008
29 March 2008 - West Dunbartonshire Community Day (Playdrome, Clydebank - times tbc)
18 May 2008 - Mugdock Country Park, 2-4pm
7 June 2008 - Fintry Fling (times tbc)
14 June 2008 - EGM (12:15pm, following regular Saturday rehearsal)
22 June 2008 - Glasgow Mela Festival (tbc - Kelvingrove Park)
29 June 2008 - DCB Summer Concert, Cairns Church (tbc)
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4 October 2008 - Annual General Meeting (12:15pm, following regular Saturday rehearsal - tbc)
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...Click here for previous years....!

...

... the list is continually being updated - please watch this space!

... The Band is available for a variety of fundraising, social and community events - please contact any committee member for details.

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Conductor and Musical Director

Robert Baxter is a freelance trumpet player who lives in Blanefield. He began his musical life playing in local wind ensembles and brass bands in the Glasgow area (including DCB), and was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland from 1985-89. He has a BA from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), where he also undertook postgraduate studies in early music. He took over as Musical Director of DCB in June 2000, and is also the conductor of the Helensburgh Orchestral Society and the Dunbartonshire Wind Ensemble. Click here for further biographical details.

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Chamber groups

In addition to full band activities there are a number of ad hoc small groups that get together for pleasure and for occasional performances. Currently active groups include:

Wind quintet/quartet/trio "

Black Vanilla Orchid

Brass ensemble, known variously as "Brass-Oh!" (well polished!) or "Brasserie" (more in keeping with their normal lifestyle).

Repertoire

We have a comprehensive library of wind band music of all varieties, including some pieces composed specially for DCB. Click here for examples taken from recent concerts and current repertoire. Return to top

Music Library

Click here (big file!) for a complete list of music currently in our library. Band members are welcome to suggest pieces for rehearsal or performance. Return to top

Friends of DCB

Friends of DCB receive priority booking, discounts and advance warning of concerts and social events, free programme and interval refreshments at indoor concerts. Contact: any committee member.

Recordings

2006: New CD now available
2004: Mid-Europe Festival Concert, with Mark O'Keeffe (Trumpet), Alan Reid (Bagpipes) - live recording [To a new Dawn (Phillip Sparke), Concertino I'r Gwyddel (Terry Johns), Ammerland (Jacob de Haan), Lord of the Rings (Shore/Brubaker), Gallimaufry (Guy Wolfenden), Highland Cathedral (trad.)]
2002: "Dunbartonshire Concert Band in Concert" (CD recorded on Gozo).
1996: Some of the backing for "Robert Burns: a woman's man" - a collection of Burns songs, arr. Peter Shand, sung by Romey Carr (Alba Records, ALBACD02)

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Tours

Summer tour 2009 – proposed return visit to Schladming, Austria for the Mid-Europe Festival. Festival dates are Tuesday 14th July 2008 to Sunday 19th July 2009.
11-18 July, 2004: Austria tour/Mid-Europe Festival, based in and around Schladming
July 2002 - International Arts Festival and Summer Music School, Gozo (Malta)

Some highlights of previous sessions

November 2004: Gold Award in the BASBWE National Concert Band Festival {Winning programme: MacIntyre Park Overture (Bill Locklear); Gallimaufry (Guy Woolfenden)}

11-18 July, 2004: Austria tour/Mid-Europe Festival, based in and around Schladming.
November 2003: Silver Award in the BASBWE National Concert Band Festival {Winning programme: Ammerland (Jacob de Haan); To a New Dawn (Phillip Sparke)}
July 2003: Ł5000 grant from Awards for All (via Scottish Arts Council) for purchase of new instruments (euphonium, baritone sax).
March 2003: Glasgow Music Festival - ## First place, with Honours - Concert Band section ## {Winning programme: L'Arlesienne Suite (Bizet/Finck, 1st mvt); To a New Dawn (Phillip Sparke)} - click here for Glasgow Music Festival certificates
July 2002 - International Arts Festival and Summer Music School, Gozo (Malta)
June 2002 - Cottier Theatre: World premier of "I'r Wyddel (To an Irishman)", specially composed for DCB by Terry Johns, with Mark O'Keefe (trumpet).
May 2002 - Guest band at NFMS Inverness Conference.

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History

Arthur Main - one of the founder members of DCB - has written a definitive history of the Band, concentrating in particular on the early days since the first rehearsal in January 1973.

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Constitution

Child Policy Protection Statement

The band encourages young people and children to join, and benefits from the membership of younger people. It is therefore important that they and their parents know that the band is a safe environment for them. The band is therefore committed to having a clear child protection policy so that procedures are clear in the event of any matter of concern being raised in relation to younger members. If the committee becomes aware that a member of the band has been convicted of any offence involving children, that member would be asked to leave with immediate effect. Furthermore, if there were any suggestion of improper conduct towards a child or young person by any band member, this would not be dealt with as an internal matter, but would be referred, in consultation with the parents of said child or young person, to the appropriate statutory agency, in the first instance, the police.

DCB adheres to the Scottish Executive's Childrens Charter.

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Subscriptions and Funding

Currently a minimum of Ł80 per year (Ł40 unwaged) - normally payable in October, but deferred payments possible by arrangement with the Treasurer - pro rata for new members joining during the session. Gift Aid (formerly deeds of covenant) encouraged for members who pay income tax.

In addition to subscriptions, concert receipts and other fundraising activities, the Band receives occasional grants for specific purposes from bodies such as local councils, Making Music Scotland, and the Scottish Arts Council "Awards for All" scheme.

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New members

No formal audition is required, but players must be prepared to commit themselves to regular rehearsals, personal practice and serious preparation for concert engagements.

All players are welcome, but particular vacancies currently exist in the following sections:

Flutes
Trumpets
Trombones
French Horn
Percussion

Please contact one of the committee members for further details.

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Committee Members

(Elected at the AGM, October, 2007)

David Broad - Chairperson (email: david.broad@tpsconsult.co.uk)
Vicky Evans - Deputy Chairperson (email: vickycevans@hotmail.com)
Monika Mihm - Treasurer/Attendance (email: m.mihm@vet.gla.ac.uk)
Sally Thompson - Secretary (email: sallythompson1@hotmail.com)
Alison McCree - Librarian (email: a_mccree@hotmail.com)
Laura Watt - Engagements (email: laura.watt@btopenworld.com)
Peter MacKinnon - Fundraising
Musical Director (ex officio) - Robert Baxter

Other duties:
Registrar/Attendance coordinator - Monika Mihm (email: m.mihm@vet.gla.ac.uk) Travel Group - Anneli Demberg
Press Office - Moira Reid (email: reid26@tiscali.co.uk)
Newsletter - Alison McCree & Moyra Hawthorn

Trustees: Alan Cooper, Arthur Main, Julian Fosh, John Waller, Lindsay Davidson
Auditors: John Gourlay, Richard Phelps

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AGM minutes (click on year) - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004(EGM) - 2005 - 2006