What was the rehearsal regime of the band?
Regular rehearsals were held every Tuesday & Thursday from 19h30 to 21h45. The band would take a week off at Christmas, when other bands are probably working their hardest in fund raising. Occasionally, an additional week would be taken off in early August for annual holidays. The frequency of rehearsals would increase when approaching an important event, such as for a commercial recording, the ‘Open’ or the ‘Nationals’. In preparation for a big competition the band never slogged the piece to death – preparation began very slowly 4 weeks before the event. When 4 weeks away the resident conductor would organise sectional or group rehearsals to get the notes “under the fingers”. When 3 weeks away the full-band would begin more detailed work, interspersed with work on other pieces to maintain the interest & attention of the players. When 10 days away, every day, except the Wednesday & Monday before a Saturday performance, would have a rehearsal booked. The principal conductor having taken
