THE PHOENIX WINDBAND – ANNUAL REPORT 2003/04 Background The Phoenix windband was formed by SCOLA wind and brass band evening class members in 1999, with the aim of creating opportunities for the class to play in public and, thus, also contributing to community life in Sutton by playing (normally free of charge) at community and charity events where otherwise there would be no live music. We have, thanks to Roger, a website at http://www.phoenixband.org.uk/. In our first two years we played at the Dome and for the Queen Mother, and raised about £5 000 from lottery grants. The last few years have been a little less exciting. The Last Year We held an excellent garden party, much enjoyed by all. We had yet another excellent away-week-end at Wychcroft, and thanks are again due to Howard and Neil for the organisation, and to Lorraine and Paul for the musical input. We have made very few public performances, in fact only two - at the Chipstead summer fête in the summer of 2003 and at the Diamond riding centre last autumn. Our programme again did not really happen, with possible appearances called off either because we could not muster enough band members or because the organisers called off events. This is frustrating as there is no doubt the evening class is a great success, with numbers continuing to grow, and the standard rising (in fact it is not the same band as it was a couple of years ago, in terms of standard). This is due to Lorraine’s inspirational leadership, together with the enormous help we have had from Paul. Next Year The summer garden party and the Wychcroft weekend are now regular fixtures in the diary. On performances, we have a few things are in the diary, but not much. We want to continue to perform in public, for charity events, from time to time and we need to develop a more regular programme of performances to round out our ability to make music together. Would anyone want to join the committee with a remit to try to make this happen? In Conclusion As last year, may I express all our thanks to Lorraine for her leadership and for all the effort she puts into making Friday evenings so rewarding for us all. We must also thank Paul for his help, and my fellow committee members Howard and Neil, particularly for organising the Wychcroft weekend. And everyone who comes on Fridays, and makes it such an enjoyable and worthwhile evening. RICHARD CLIFTON Chair, Phoenix Windband, July 2004