Sunday, December 19, 2010

Musicianship Shines Through
Tonight I spent the evening in Moose Jaw with the Scott Benson Band. Scott got asked tom play a couple of sets at a special Christmas Show with Jeffrey Straker and his band, "The Handsome Strangers".

So, we did a sound check at 5:30, had something to eat at Scott's place, and then back for the show. We were first on after the intermission, so we took the opportunity to sneak into the theatre and catch his show. It turns out, Jeffrey was just back from recording in Nashville, and he threw together the band. There was a cellist and violinist, a bass player, drummer, his sister Jill singing back-up vocals, and Jeffrey on piano and vocals. He's an energetic, Elton-Johnish kinda performer, and he put on a great show.

Pretty much everyone except Jeffrey, his sister and the drummer had music to play from, and this was not a highly rehearsed act. And yet, it was really good. The players all stepped up, and delivered what they needed to, on cue, and with flair. It came together, and delivered a whole band picture that you might not have expected knowing the limited preparation as a band. And that got me thinking.

The CRPB is a bit like that at the moment, and what is necessary to pull things together after the holiday, is that we all take our musicianship seriously. Come with instruments and music prepared, and with a willingness to "be in the moment" and deliver what we need, when we need it.

I know that pretty much everyone in the band thinks that way anyway, and so this is not a "you do this" kind of post, but more a "Hmmmm, this has the potential to be good" kind of thought. Looking forward to pulling it together.

And here's a little Jeffrey for you:

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Waiting for a Band to Show Up


The past eight weeks or so have been an interesting time in the band, and as the title of this post would indicate, it's been a "down time" in terms of band activity of the public kind. It has been anything but a down time in other respects.

Band members will readily recognize the image of this post. It was made by member Ruaridh many years ago, and it forms the background image to our online music page, where we store music files for the band members. And that's what the past eight weeks has been: a wiping [pretty] clean of the proverbial slate, and a fresh start on a new medley, new MSR, all new drum scores, and some new tunes. Add to this a group of new members in pipes and drums, and we don't really know what we have just yet.

While there is a lot of new music being written, arranged, and tweaked, members are working hard at learning it, and we have been planning for the other elements of getting the band on the road: ensuring we have enough uniforms and equipment, and making budgeting and purchase decisions in a couple of areas.

Meantime, planning is well underway for the Alexander Keith's Mid-Winter Celtic Festival and apart from having a great leading act booked for the Ceilidh, there are many things to organize for the larger event, sponsors to work with, silent auction, and this year we are planning a public performance stage downtown, which will draw added interest and sponsorship for the event, as well as provide a "family friendly" performance stage during Saturday afternoon.

Add to all this that there is a Grade 4 band to manage and a potential Grade 3 band in the works, and you have a very busy time in the schedule.

However, I'm looking forward to getting this all on the floor, and hearing what we've got. Bring in the band!