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G-MAv Brass Band introduction

To: brass-band <brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: G-MAv Brass Band introduction
From: Geoffrey Collins <geoffrey.collins@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 1996 09:33:20 +0000 (GMT)
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As a recent subscriber here is my introduction to GEC-Marconi Avionics Brass
Band and Myself.

Introduction
-----------------
The band is what I would call a 'works band', having been created by the
employees, with funds from the company. The band comprises of 
employees, ex-employees and alot of people from outside the company. We
are based in Rochester, Kent. (South East England). We are currently third
section nationally and first section Southern counties ABBA. The band has
been well supported by the company in previous years but as a result of 
cut backs on military spending, we do not receive money directly any more.
The company do provide us with rehersal facilities, insurance, tape sleeve
printing and transport, which isn't bad.

Short history
-------------------
The Band was origonally formed in 1971 and was known as the Elliot
concert brass. In 1986 the band amalgamated with Trinity Brass from 
Maidstone.In 1988 Keith Woodger was appointed Musical Director,
and we started contesting under the name of GEC Avionics Brass Band.
In 1994 the company changed its name and last year we brought the
band name into line with the company, which is why you may see us
referred to by our old name.


About GEC-Marconi Avionics Ltd
The company head office is in Rochester and there are about 2000 people
employed on this site. The company also has sites in Edinbugh, Donibristle
(former Ferranti company), Milton Keynes, Nailsea and Basildon. The General
Electric Company PLC, for those who who live outside the U.K is one of
Britains largest manufacturing companies making everything from washing
machines (Hotpoint & Creda) and generators for power stations, to satellites
(Matra-Marconi). GEC-Marconi Avionics makes electronic systems for virtually
every NATO military aircraft you could name. The most notable product being
produced on this site is the Boeing 777 flight computer. For more info about
the company see the web site.

Recent contest results
--------------------------------
1995 Folkestone contest first section - third place playing Oceans
1996 Watford nationals third section - tenth place (I think)
1996 Brighton contest first section - third place and best conductor playing
	Hollywood

More about the band
------------------------------
The band comprises of 34 players. We are a friendly band, despite having five
married couples playing in the band and you may remember us advertising for
players due to 'mass pregnancies' in the Bandsman. You may have met some
of our players at the summer school. We practice Monday nights with sectional
practices, or choir practice on Fridays. The choir is great fun, and we perform
during concerts. I also think it also improves intonation. We hop to form a 
Youth band in September if we have enough response.

Recent events
---------------------
Last year the band performed at Canterbury Cathedral in a joint concert with
the boy choristers. We had a enjoyable weekend with John Hudson rehersing 
the band in January. The band went to Germany and Holland over the first May
bank holiday, playing in Monchau, Valkenburg and visiting the Fantasialand
theme park. Last Weekend we performed in the annual 'Dickens festival' in 
Rochester, which celebrates one of Rochesters' former residents Charles 
Dickens.

About me
--------------
I am 30 years old, a hardware engineer in MAD division (who thinks up 
these acronyms) and design electronics for Head up Displays on aircraft.I am a 
BB bass player, the company contact and van driver. I spent most of my youth 
in Southport, Merseyside (nothwest England) playing for the Southport Youth
band conducted by Ian Crawford and Sefton Schools Wind band conducted by
Maurice Fog. I also played with Edge Hill Britsh Rail Band in Liverpool, for a 
short while before going to Shefield poly. I am now a wingeing northener stuck
'daan sowf' in the Medway Towns with negative equity.
My claim to fame is playing twice at the national qualifiers at Watford last
year when the band after us, our local rivals K.M. Gilligham B band, were
short of a bass player through sickness and under rules requested a 
substitute. They came a place below us, thank goodness.
Favorite concert pieces at the moment consists of 'Miller Magic' arranged by
Denzil Stephens and 'Lets Face The Music and Dance' arranged by Goff
Richards.

Adverts
-----------
We have two tapes one recorded  in 1990 when we were fourth section band 
and one we recorded last year. The second tape contains an nice arrangement
of the song 'One Moment in Time' arranged for us by band trombone player Kevin
Spencer. Both tapes are available from myself for five pounds.

If you have lots of money and wish to sponsor us contact our secretary 
Mr David Mann on 01634-684660.

We had some polo t-shirts made and printed with our logo on by Ink Enterprises
in Bethesda and can recommend them. They can be contacted on 
01248-601699.

Questions
--------------
Are we the only GEC company band?
Are we the only band to perform a concert in Cantebury Cathedral?
Where are the former players of Southport Youth Band?

REF: Previous Postings
---------------------------------
You can pay for British Bandsman by credit card (saves stamps and earns you
airmiles), but they can and did bill me twice. 
I went to a Whit Friday march as a lad and can recommend a visit.
The band always look forward to playing at bandstands and will be playing in
Hyde park on July 7th, our first ever London parks job, Deal Memorial
Bandstand on June 30th and Folkestone Bandstand on July 27th.


Big Brother
----------------
As I use the GEC computer network (fast, but restricted WEB access), please do 
not send lots of mail to me, if they can pinpoint Netscape 2 users on the
network (currently banned) and have it removed, they probably will notice lots
of mail to me reducing their bandwidth.

Yes there's More
------------------------
If you were wondering who 'Master Brass' are, advertising for players in the
Bandsman, I have been told they are the former local 'Stood Mission Band',
who have moved from the Salvation army building.

Sorry about spellings, but there is no spell checker in Teamlinks

Geoff Collins, MAD engineer, BB bass .
GEC-Marconi Avionics Brass Band
Geoffrey.Collins@xxxxxxxx


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