We are entering a very active time for the Delta Music Makers!  The musical improvement we’ve achieved in the past year bodes well for our seven upcoming concerts.  Big thanks to Margaret for her leadership assistance, and to Brenda for her conducting of Donkey Riding.

CALENDAR

Spring Term: 6 more Tuesday evenings and 4 amazing concerts!

-Rehearsals: continue every Tuesday until June 22

-Concerts:  Please arrive a minimum of 45 minutes prior to start-time of concert.  Bring full uniform as discussed; we will wear only the vest if weather is hot.

      -1. June 1, Tuesday, 7:30pm: joint concert with Curt and Margaret’s Elementary School Band Students.  Concert will start with 90 Elementary Students on stage and DMM in the audience.  After about 30 minutes, the Beginners will leave the stage and go to the audience, while the Advanced Elementary Band stays seated on stage.  The Delta Music Makers come onto the stage and take their seats intermingled with the  Advanced Elementary, play 3 joint pieces and 3 independent pieces.

      -2. June 6, Sunday, Whistler Daytrip!  This fun day will begin early with bus pickup in Ladner and Vancouver, details TBA.  Bus will cost $40 per person if we have 30 people, or less if we have more people.  Our concert will be in Whistler likely at 2pm at location TBA.  You will have time for walkabout and dinner before the bus returns you to the pickup locations.

      -3. June 12/13, Ladner Bandfest: see attached schedule.  The Delta Music Makers perform on Sunday June 13 at 1:40 - 2:20pm.  But we need your help the whole weekend.  Please see the signup form attached, and discuss with Ann Bates, bass clarinetist, your volunteer availability for the weekend.  The jobs are not onerous, but rather, are great fun.  The atmosphere is electric, with band enthusiasts playing their hearts out and enjoying the music from other bands.  If the weather is nice, hundreds of audience members will bring their lawn chairs to Memorial Park..

      -4. June 27, Ladner Village Market, 3-4pm:  after a gap of several years, we have finally been invited to perform again at the Market.  But we must bring chairs!  Folding chairs without arms are the best. 

Summer Band Workout: 3 rehearsals and 3 exciting concerts!

-Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at South Delta Rec. Centre, 7:30-9:30pm, cost $20.  Directions: from #10 Highway, go south on Hwy 17, turn left into Tsawwassen on 56^th Street, and turn left into the second complex (past the large Baptist Church).  Drive around the back to the left of the building.

-Concerts: please arrive 45 minutes prior to start-times listed below.

      -1. July 14, Wednesday, 7pm: Memorial Park, Ladner

      -2. July 17, Saturday, 7pm, Kitsilano Showboat.  Three years ago we played a well-attended concert here, after which we all enjoyed the Fireworks Night.  The Board is considering a school bus for this gig, with pickups in Ladner and Vancouver.  If not, we will assist with organizing carpools.

      -3. July 21, Wednesday, 7pm, Social Heart Plaza at 84^th Avenue and 114^th Street in North Delta.  This is a brand new venue for us.

Fall Term: begins September 14 for fourteen Tuesday rehearsals.

DC/BOSTON/NYNY TRIP:  Curt and Margaret are in the process of organizing a fabulous 12 to 16 day band tour to New York, Boston, and Washington DC!  This would take place in September of 2011, which is still early enough in the fall to perform a few outdoor concerts, while late enough to enjoy some of the spectacular fall colours of New England!  Mark your calendars, and watch for more information very soon.  By next month we hope to have dates, itinerary, and a ballpark price.  In Washington DC we will make every effort to perform at the Canadian Embassy, the closest embassy to Capitol Hill.  In New York, the band would participate in a backstage tour and possible rehearsal of a Broadway musical production, then attend the musical that evening.  The elegant Kennedy Library would be one venue we would pursue in Boston.  These locations are just a sampling of the 7-8 concerts the Delta Music Makers would perform during the NYNY/BOSTON/DC TRIP.  Talk it up with your spouses, friends, and musicians from other bands. 

LOGO’D CLOTHING:  Jhandie has submitted the order to Bud Sage, and the items will be in our hands before the Ladner Bandfest, likely by June 1.

ACTIVE COMMITTEES:

-Delta Music Makers Board of Directors: next mtg. June 29 at Janie and David’s.

-Ladner Bandfest Committee: next meeting this Wednesday, May 19 at Elvira’s.

-Remembrance-Themed Concert Committee: next meeting Saturday, June 19, at the Town and Country’s “Meadows Restaurant,” at Highway 17 and the 99Freeway (please note: this meeting may have to be pushed back to June 26 – stay tuned).

-Uniform Committee: working on the long-term project of finding new uniforms.

-Finance Committee: constantly protecting our financial health and making recommendations to the Board.

COFFEE NIGHT:  The last Tuesday of each month, starting May 25 after band rehearsal, meet for coffee and fun conversation at Speed’s Pub, next to Sharkey’s.

Here’s to an enjoyable spring and summer season!

From Curt Jantzen