About this user
Our Past -
Our Orchestra stands alongside the independent steel bands of the World. We are just as they are in that our formation was the idea of just two people along with the support of some of the parents and Charities we raise money for, brought together their children and formed the basis of the orchestra in November 1985. The charity involvement lives on and regular gigs are played so as to ensure a steady flow of money is given to the charity we collect for (The Royal Manchester Childrens Bone Marrow Fund). Many musicians have passed through the band over the past 22 years and added their own individual mark upon the aura of the Orchestra. The original founders may have moved on, but the motto we have held since the beginning still remains "We Not I".
Our Present -
2009 proved to be another successful one which kept all the players and parents very busy right through to Christmas with many of our regular venues revisited as well as several new ones that we hope to include again during 2010. Hopefully the weather will be a lot sunnier (and dryer) this summer and we wont get events rained off as we have had in the last three years. We missed doing Romiley Show because of mud and St Annes Square Manchester European Market because of snow, but we enjoyed good weekends for our annual visits to the Yesteryear Rally at Malpas and the Cumbria Steam Gathering at Flookburgh, which this year will again become three days away from home as we revisit Great Towers Scout Camp immediately after.
With new players promoted to the Senior Orchestra during last year and no-one leaving, we are now stronger than ever. This makes plenty of players available, even when some are working or on holiday. It will be good for the summers busy schedule, which is kept up to date alongside as we progress through the year, with more details if you click on the locations on our website.
Following our visit to Esbjerg, Denmark in February 2007, we were invited to spend some time back in the city in August. We arrived during the Esbjerg Music Festival to take part in a two day steel music festival with bands from Denmark, Sweden and England playing around the city. Based in the old city of Ribe, we then stayed around the area for another week of music and holidaying. 32 players and parents had a great time and met many of our friends from the previous visits. A full report and photos can be found on our articles page on our website.
During the winter we are intending to record another CD to make Volume 7 our new addition to the steel music collection. This will include our powerful version of Africa and Pan In A Minor together with other new tunes and some reworked favorites. Watch this space for news of the release date from when it will sit alongside our other four CDs that are all readily available wherever we play or by post.
In 2009 the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital moved into its new home in Manchester and our charity was renamed RMCH Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Trust. We have been supporting this since 1985 with our licensed collections in North West shopping precincts and several other donations from supporting organisations. The total donated to date now stands at over £37,000.
Our Future -
With a stream of up and coming players in our Junior Section we are always guaranteed a solid playing force. Let the future bring what it may, we are well prepared! Our future is dependant on a constant influx of new talent and our Junior orchestra is the perfect place for them to develop their skills as artistes. Steve Marshall now looks after the teaching with some help from experienced players. The learning curve can be steep but well worth the effort for those who are prepared to put in the work. The Junior section practices every Monday night at Hazel Grove Primary School in Stockport. For further details please contact us.
Country
United Kingdom
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