Newsletter for Brass Bands

Club Europe has been the first choice of tour operator for Brass Bands for many years. In 2002 we held two hugely successful Band Festivals in Belgium and Liguria where a number of youth bands from the UK enjoyed a week of performances and excursions, as well as workshops and joint performances with some of the brass world’s best known artists.

We understand the Brass Band culture and we enjoy working with community bands, giving ideas for fundraising and supporting new ventures. We are passionate about spreading the music of Brass Bands around the world - one of Britain’s most important musical groups with a fascinating background

Original Compositions and Arrangements for Bands - Jock McKenzie

“As a band director employed by Hampshire Music Service, I have undertaken a number of overseas tours with the Hampshire County Youth Bands and Club Europe tours. When choosing appropriate tour repertoire, I have often researched the folk music from the specific region of the country being visited and subsequently produced a number of compositions and arrangements based on this. I have found time and again that these have gone done exceptionally well with the local audiences whilst on tour. Some of these items (Brass Band, Concert Band, intermediate/training ensembles etc) are published either by Mostyn Music (UK) or MF Publications (Switzerland). Others I hold privately or are currently awaiting publication.

Additionally, I am happy to produce compositions and arrangements 'to order'. Please feel free to contact me via Club Europe should you wish to explore this opportunity for your touring ensemble.”

Jock McKenzie

Jock’s music can be bought from these sites:

www.mostynmusic.com

www.musikverlag-frank.ch

Club Europe- featured in The Brass Herald

In May, Club Europe will be featured in The Brass Herald, one of the Brass world’s most important magazines. Lucy Szymonski, Head of Concert Tours at Club Europe, will be talking to Philip Biggs, editor of the magazine, about the importance of touring for a band. Philip Biggs, formerly a consultant for Club Europe, continues to be a valuable link between us and the Brass Band world.

Rehearsal and workshop tours

For bands who are preparing for a competition or festival, intensive rehearsals can often advance progress more quickly. Inviting a guest conductor or changing the rehearsal format can enthuse your musicians. So why not take your band on a long weekend away, where you can stay and rehearse intensively in the same centre and perhaps perform a concert in a local venue at the end of the tour? We recommend the Isle of Wight (for a real close to home experience), Belgium and northern France.

CLUB EUROPE ‘ON THE ROAD’

We enjoy meeting our band leaders when we are ‘on the road’. We attend some of the major Brass Band events throughout the year.

Our next event will be the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Come and meet us at our stand to discuss touring with your band.

OUR NEXT BROCHURE

Our exciting 2009 brochure has just come out. If you do not receive one of these, please let us know and we will send you a priority copy.

The latest additions to the new brochure include:

NEW DESTINATIONS: Croatia and New York
In our brochure, we outline the possible venues, accommodation and excursion ideas for these exciting new touring destinations.

Our experienced team have investigated these areas in detail looking at venues that will attract large audiences, the acoustics and suitability of the performing space and local festivals and events that you can get involved in.

If you are interested in either of these new destinations, you do not have to wait for the brochure- call us to discuss them on Freephone 0800 496 4996.

Club Europe for Bands

For the opening of our Brass Band Festivals in Liguria and Belgium, we commissioned a piece from Martin Ellerby. The piece is described as a ‘whistle stop journey through Europe’ with a powerful opening and reflective middle section. The work lasts approximately 8 minutes and is suitable for intermediate to advanced bands. Published by Studio Music, this exciting work is ideal for performing abroad and is a fantastic overture to any concert.