News Release - Elmbridge Community Big Band Is Launched
Now Recruiting Musicians - Don't Miss Out!

Calling all local amateur musicians – polish that trombone, grab that guitar and prepare for the launch of the exciting new Elmbridge Community Big Band on 22nd September 2009.

Exactly 4 years after founding the successful Elmbridge Choir, the Musical Director, Cliff van Tonder, is forming a Big Band in direct response to the many requests received from the local community.

The band will be under the direction of Georgina Bartlett, a talented musician who is a trained flautist and self-taught on piano and saxophone. She has always loved making music and has belonged to several bands and orchestras, including the East Sussex Wind Orchestra for whom she played principal flute at the Royal Albert Hall in 2004.

Anyone who enjoys jazz and swing music and is proficient at playing the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass or rhythm guitar, drums or keyboard is welcome to call Georgina for a chat on 07929 775 725, send an email to Georgina via the Band website or register your interest online at www.elmbridgebigband.co.uk 

After registering your interest, you will be invited to attend an evening taster session on either 1st or 8th September to see if this is the big band for you.

Georgina, who is really excited to be involved in helping to expand the choir's work in and around the community and for local charities, would like to hear from any talented musician whether they are trained or entirely self-taught.

However, they must be enthusiastic, have a keen interest in music and be totally committed to making this fabulous idea for a community-based big band become a reality.

“ I really hope that the Big Band will create an opportunity for music lovers to come and enjoy making music and perform a fun and varied repertoire with like minded musicians, whilst adding to the variety of performances already offered by the Elmbridge community's established ensembles” she said.

Once established, in addition to their own concerts, the Big Band will perform with the Elmbridge Choir and Elmbridge Ladies Choir at their charity concerts, adding a whole new exciting dimension of live music to these popular events. The Big Band’s first public performance will be on 12th December 2009 at the Leatherhead Theatre at the Elmbridge Choir’s annual Christmas concert.

Over the last 4 years the Elmbridge Choirs have raised in excess of £43,000 for charities and no doubt the big band will perform to a wide audience in their quest to help deserving charities raise much needed funds.

Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays, 8-10pm at Churchfield House in Cobham. For further information about the Elmbridge Community Big Band and how to join please visit www.elmbridgebigband.co.uk

Elmbridge Towns & Villages include Weybridge, Walton on Thames, Hersham, Esher, Oxshott, Claygate, Cobham, East Molesey, Hinchley Wood, Thames Ditton, West Molesey. However you don't need to live in Elmbridge to be a member of the Elmbridge Community Big Band. As with Elmbridge Choir, residents of nearby boroughs are welcome, providing the distance is realistic for them to commit to attend on a regular basis.