Federation News and Events
National Band Survey - Federation Database Update
The Federation holds the most extensive database of youth marching bands and supporters in the UK. It is important to keep this up to date, and thanks to funding received (see below) we will be proceeding with ‘Exercise Update’ in the next two months. Bands and individuals who receive a request to update their details are asked to respond as promptly as possible. Download the National Survey here (PDF 36k)
July is National Marching Youth Music Month
For the fourth year July 2008 is ‘National Marching Youth Music Month’. The Federation will strive to achieve national publicity, but to support this it is important that bands advise the Federation Office of what they are doing. It might be the public engagements already accepted, competitions entered, or it might be a special recruitment session held on a scheduled rehearsal evening. Please advise the Federation office by May 31st. The 2008 logo can be downloaded for bands to use in their own literature - Download here (750k zip)
Financial support
The Federation is to receive financial support from the John Ellerman Foundation over the period 2008 - 2010 This is to assist with strategic development, including communication and training. The first task will be to update our data base. We have also moved the main office of the Federation into a newly opened community centre, which will be able to provide office services and meeting facilities. Funds will also be used to support the Federation’s accredited leadership training course enabling it to operate at no cost to band leaders.
2008 National Conference Report
Michael McKeever, Headteacher of Trinity School in Nottingham. David Sulkin, Director of Policy and Programmes for 'Youth Music' and Paul Brookes, Creative Programmer 2012 Olympiad, East Midlands.
The Conference provided a unique opportunity for leaders, support staff and for marchig members to listen to knowledgable experts from outside of the activity, to discuss their contributions, and to then feed back the views of their bands to the Federation. The Federation will now work with its member organisations to create a 'whole activity' development strategy for 2008 with the aim of creating a lasting legacy of 'more kids in more marching bands'
Photo
Federation Chairman John Boyington introduces Paul Brookes, Olympiad Creative Programmer East Midlands.
Marching Bands Europe
For the past two years the Federation has been working with our colleagues in Europe to create a European Federation. This is now in place under the branding 'Marching Bands Europe'. At the most recent meeting in Amsterdam member organisations from Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Norway, Italy and the UK were present. It is anticipated that Sweden, Spain, Belgium and Germany will join soon.
Our Federation was formed after the 1998 World Championships held in London, and the European Federation is a direct result of the 2004 World Championships held in Bournemouth. A number of UK representatives have been involved in this initiative - John McNamara, Mark Nicholson, Tony Patrick, Nigel Brown, Anthony Winter and Jim Vaughan.
As 'Marching Bands Europe' gathers pace it is intended that it will be able to facilitate exchanges of bands and organise joint meetings and training seminars to share experiences and information.The website will be active from May 2008 - www.marchingbandeurope.eu
In Heek, Germany on the week-end of October 10th – 12th, a training course and congress in co-operation with the Confederation of International Music Societies (CISM). Course fee including accommodation and food, 217 Euros. Contact the Federation Office.
