THE PHOENIX WINDBAND - ANNUAL REPORT 2001 - 2002

The third year of the Phoenix Windband has been an enjoyable year for all those involved, though we have not played in public as much as in previous years. For the benefit of new members, the Phoenix Windband was formed in July 1999 by members of the SCOLA Friday evening wind and brass band evening class. The original objective was to provide a vehicle for an application for lottery funding to obtain sheet music, which had been a major difficulty for the evening class, and also to arrange opportunities for the class to play to audiences as a band. The first year was a great success - over £3 000 was obtained from lottery funding to pay for professional help at performances [primarily what we pay Lorraine for her time], a drum kit, music, and to help subsidise the Wychcroft weekend. We organised a programme of performances that included a performance at the Dome. The second year was also successful, with our performances including one for the Queen Mother in Windsor Great Park, and there was a further successful lottery funding application. Highlights of this year have included entering the ensemble section of the Sutton Music Festival, the first time we have we have entered a music competition. We all found the process enjoyable and that it improved our standard, with the outcome that we won second prize and were invited back to play in the final concert. We held the best ever Wychcroft weekend. Thanks are again due to Neil and Howard for the organisation of the event, and to Lorraine and Paul for their leadership of the musical side. We finally spent last year's lottery funding, which was to pay for uniform or co-ordinated clothing, on some attractive sweatshirts with our name on them. We have mounted a further lottery bid but the outcome is not yet settled. We have played at a number of events during the year - including at the Diamond Riding Centre for Disabled Riders and an event at the Carshalton water tower but not nearly as many as usual. The programme has been severely limited by people's availability and we have not been able to take up a number of invitations to play in Sutton town centre. The prospects for the band [as contrasted with the evening class] for next year again need some thought. The musical standard is continuing to improve but we are not playing in public as often as we might. It may be best to target a small number of engagements and sort them out well in advance. And we still have no regular drummer, which is a pity given that we have a [little used] drum kit in a cupboard next to the room where we rehearse. As last year, may I thank Lorraine for her continuing enthusiasm. We all want to congratulate Lorraine on now being in full-time work, but we all want her to carry on as our leader. Can I also thank Pam for finding us music, Neil for handling the money, Howard and Neil for the organisation of the Wychcroft week end, Paul for supporting us at the Wychcroft weekend and on other occasions, and every member of the band for making Friday evenings so enjoyable. RICHARD CLIFTON Chair, The Phoenix Windband July 2002