Jon Jayes, Secretary of the Belvoir Big Band, writes about his band’s passion for performing and supporting charities.
I would like to introduce our group, the Belvoir Big Band, based in Harby in Leicestershire. Nine years ago in 2015, I and another guitarist met with a view to playing either together or with other musicians for pleasure.
But the idea, and the band, grew.
There have been many changes of personnel, although we retain some of the original or early members. We have now developed into a big band of 26 players, when we are at full strength.
We play quite an eclectic range of music including swing, big band standards, blues, jazz, rock and roll, and pop; both vocal and instrumental.
We have now developed into a big band of 26 players, when we are at full strength.
We meet once a week to rehearse in a local village hall. We are a fully leisure-time band in as much as no one in the band receives payment for playing with us and all profits, after our band expenses, go to selected charities.
Many of our appearances are for charitable events, village fairs, or similar events of various sizes. For the last seven years, we have appeared at the large Rempstone Steam Fair in Nottinghamshire. We also arrange our own concerts in village halls and in theatres, playing in the Grantham Arts Centre and in the Melton Mowbray Theatre in aid of national or local charities. We also put on a performance each year at the Nottingham Academy, and encourage some of the pupils to join the band for a few numbers!
The band consists of a mix of ages, sex, and musical skills. Some of our players have performed professionally in the past but others have been leisure-time players who wanted to play with other, like-minded musicians.
There is a good atmosphere in the band with great camaraderie and support for each other. We take on a maximum of 12 appearances per year so as not to impinge on family commitments and so that the variety of music keeps everyone interested.
The band provides a supportive environment for musicians of all talent and skill level. It offers a great opportunity for youngsters who are interested in playing with us, receive encouragement and gain confidence with their instrument.
Our members travel from near and far to play with us. One member travelled 100 miles round trip each week to rehearse with us! We are currently in need of another trombone player and tenor sax 1, so if anyone would like to give it a go, please do not hesitate to contact us through our website.
The band provides a supportive environment for musicians of all talent and skill level. It offers a great opportunity for youngsters who are interested in playing with us, receive encouragement and gain confidence with their instrument.
Music is a great provider of stress relief, although I’m not totally convinced that this can be said of being secretary of a band of this size and playing in it too!
Nevertheless, it is very rewarding seeing both audience and band members enjoying the performance when we play.
Find out more about the Belvoir Big Band on their website.
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