Rehearsal Report No. 1

Well...last Saturday was our first rehearsal for the November 11 concert. I took a photo to post here, but I keep misplacing my camera! So I decided to just post and add the photo later.

The band was certainly glad to be back together. Ivor, the conductor, was a bit frustrated, however, because we didn't have a full band.

It's simply the result of recruiting the best musicians, I'm afraid. Often, someone gets a paying gig someplace else which conflicts with the rehearsal.

As a former musician myself, I understand the situation: paying gigs take precedence, plain and simple. We just have to work with what we've got until we have a budget to pay our musicians.

We were short a few trumpet players, had no bass trombone, and only one percussionist. But all the other parts were covered.

In all, it was a great rehearsal. (Just not according to Ivor! He was ready to cancel the whole thing if we didn't have a full band for the next rehearsal. Don't worry, though--we're NOT canceling. It's simply a challenge to overcome. Every organization has it's birth pains.)

I'm excited about the program we have lined out for the concert. Our next rehearsal is this Saturday, and we should (keyword "should") have a full complement. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

We'll also know our complete program by then and will post it here in about a week.

Stay tuned...

J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

P.S. Don't forget, you can get instant access to a 17-minute video of the brass band simply by telling three friends about us. Fill out the form here:

http://www.lametrobrass.com/tell-friends.html

A Brass Band Profile...

I just found this interesting video on YouTube, from a UK newscast that gives some interesting insight into the British brass band tradition. The L.A. Metropolitan Brass Band is based on the British-style brass bands, so this is a look at our heritage!

As you watch, keep in mind that many British towns and corporations sponsor their very own brass band. There is a whole tradition of these bands competing against each other in championship competitions, which is still going on strong today. These bands are amateur ensembles, though many are good enough to be professional...some even contain all professional musicians (though I believe there are certain rules regarding that when it comes to competitions).

This video highlights the Betteshanger Brass Band, formerly associated with the Betteshanger Colliery (a coal mine).



J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

An Exclusive 17-Minute Video Excerpt...

I hope you're enjoying these videos that recently resurfaced. They're a bit "underground," but that makes them all the more appealing!

(By the way, the trombone feature from the last post is called "Peace Like A Rive," arranged by Stephen Bulla.)

I've got another for you...

It's a powerhouse of a piece called "The Lord Is King," written in three movements by a Salvation Army composer named Ray Steadman-Allen.

But there's a catch this time.

You see, we need all the "word of mouth advertising" we can get, and you can help us with that. If you'd be willing to tell at least three of your friends, family, or acquaintances about the band, I'll give you instant access to this 17-minute video excerpt.

All you need to do is fill out the form here...

www.LAMetroBrass.com/tell-friends.html

Once you've filled out the form, you'll be taken immediately to the video page.

Enjoy!

J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

Another Brass Band Video...

Okay, here's another one for you! It's a trombone feature from the same concert as "Three Kings Swing," the title of the last piece posted. I don't have the information on the title or arranger of this piece at the moment, but I'll update this blog once I get that info.

These videos come from the Mother's Day 2006 Concert at the Torrance Salvation Army. I think the camera person had the video setting wrong, but the audio comes through just fine! (Except for some occasional creaking every time the camera moves!)

J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

"Secret" Band Video Revealed!

I can't believe it! This video was rumored to exist. I heard whispers about it for more than a year, but no one it seemed had actually seen it! Those who were reported to have seen it complained about the poor video quality and the creaky noise the camera made every time it was moved.

But when I saw it, I realized immediately how precious it was! Finally...a way for you, brass band lovers, to see and hear just a taste--a hint--of what the L.A. Metropolitan Brass Band has in store for you on November 11!

Enjoy...



J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

We're Keeping an "Eye" Out for the Best Brass & Percussion Musicians

"The Stan" here, letting you know we're looking for the top brass & percussion musicians in the L.A. area who don't mind working for free (at least for a while) just for the chance to play extremely challenging music with other top musicians in the area!

I know that can be a hard sell sometimes, but the thing is, music is a joy. And even though we're on an ultra-low budget here, it's all about the joy of playing that motivates the regulars of the L.A. Metro Brass.

There is no joy like playing in a damn good band, and knowing you're in a damn good band and not giving damn that you're not being paid a damn thing!

Believe me...I know what it's like being a starving musician. I know what it's like to be unappreciated and underpaid...or not paid at all. But I'm putting all my spare time (and spare cash--what little there is) to getting this band up off the ground simply for the joy of music. And nothing more.

I simply want to hear a kick-ass brass band here in L.A. And I want to see that band grow from obscurity into one of the top brass bands in the nation...even the world! It's all about the glory, my friend.

So if you're a kick-ass brass or percussion musician who wants to play in a kick-ass band, then get your ass over to our auditions on Sept. 8 & 9.

Go to www.LAMetroBrass.com/auditions.html for the scoop on auditioning for the band.

I hope to see you there!

J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band

L.A. Metro on MySpace

Everybody's doing it. Well...almost everybody. So we decided we needed a MySpace profile for the band.

If you're a MySpace addict like some of us are, then I invite you to check it out and add us as a friend.

We'll have some music on the site to liven it up a bit once we've done our recording session in September.

Here's the link: www.myspace.com/LAMetroBrass


J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band