Socialising

[TromboneyM]

I am new to tmp & want to post a new topic.

I am in Nelson Brass Band & we have the best social life that I have experienced.
I would say that I am with the band as much for the social life as for the playing even though the band is topps and we have a mega time in rehearsals and contests & concerts etc.
The whole band get together at the pub after rehearsals and you struggle to get a seat as so many go.
Is your band like this? Personally I think this is the foundation of a good team as if you cant enjoy yourselves together then you haven't a chance of making good music?
Tell me your thoughts?

 

[lynchie]

yup, every rehearsal we finish by going to the pub and rearranging their furniture to get us all round "one" table!

 

[Tenor-Steffen-DK]

I play in 2 3rd division bands. The one is just fun, everybody talks during rehearsals, and everybody takes a longer brake than the MD says to. And when we play, it sounds awful. Nobody practises, and nobody cares for brass banding, they just come to the rehearsals for the social life. In the other band, everybody is concentrated all the time, they have great respect for the MD, but they have no social life, nobody is really good friends with each other. They take everything so seriously. For instance, when they're on tour, alcohol is prohibited....
So, if it was 50% of the 1st band and 50% of the 2nd band, that would be the best band IMHO.

 

[lynchie]

oh yeah, and welcome to tMP!!

 

[TheMusicMan]

.. and if you like socialising, then you'd have loved the 'event' we had this weekend. A great time was had by all... well.. nearly all.... :wink: (t'was cold you see)

 

[super_sop]

I play for Wem Jubilee Band, and one of the things that i have noticed since joining earlier this year is how friendly everybody is.

Everybody in the band has made me welcome, and made the transition from 3rd man down to principal all the more easier.
You would have to go a long way to find a happier, friendlier, family band to play for

We have a social after every big concert, with somereally cool awards (i picked up the " your not seriously going out wearing that? are you? are you ? are you? are you?"award at our anual diner to night and i just cant think why :!:


oh, welcome to TMP by the way(i think you have the honour of being the first person to join on our 1st birthday)

 

[lynchie]

cold? what do you mean? it wasn't cold!!

anyway, yeah come to the next event! And drag along the rest of your band as well!

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

As a fairly newbie myself, let me just say welcome along. This is another of those great social arenas in itself.

As our band has a lot fo juniors in it, and we arent' walking distance from a pub, our band is forced to create our own social environments. We have a very well stocked bar, with beer, soft drinks, and a large variety of nuts, biscuits and dips. Also, once a month, to force people to stay at band a bit longer and mingle, we have "supper nights". Every month, a section is charged with providing some snacks for the band after rehearsal. People stay, eat, talk, get to know others, then leave half an hour later than usual. Also, us legal drinkers usually stay for a few, and discuss many things, including the direction of the band.

Also, someone said "social event" and "cold" in one post. Why wasn't I informed :evil: Summer sucks down here!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY tMP!!!!!

 

[Railybobs]

you never see SA bands socialising in pubs for various reasons. but you can have a good social life even without the Alchohol.......

 

[leisa]

cold? what do you mean? it wasn't cold!!

anyway, yeah come to the next event! And drag along the rest of your band as well!

yeh it werent cold who was cold?? hehe

Flixton are very socialable apart from wen they go straight home after contests grrr and more often its only me and rachel left!!!

 

[Okiedokie of Oz]

You see, Leisa, that's the advantage of large areas: the six hour busride home

There's a story I was told about 2 years before I joined the band,. where the contest was held in Townsville, which is 12 odd hours north of Gladstone. The men (mainly trombonists - so Maybe Team Trombone have an accurate theory????) apparantly packed large eskies (I think you call them ice boxes) full of beer. The plan was to take the trip with as few stops as possible, but apparently, they needed to stop every hour or so.....Nature calls loudly with alcohol in your system :wink:

 

[Jo Elson]

I play for Wem Jubilee Band, and one of the things that i have noticed since joining earlier this year is how friendly everybody is.

We have a social after every big concert, with somereally cool awards (i picked up the " your not seriously going out wearing that? are you? are you ? are you? are you?"award at our anual diner to night and i just cant think why :!:

Ah bless you. And Craig you definately deserved that award-you certainly brighten up our rehearsals! :mrgreen:

 

[lynchie]

cold? what do you mean? it wasn't cold!!

anyway, yeah come to the next event! And drag along the rest of your band as well!

yeh it werent cold who was cold?? hehe

Flixton are very socialable apart from wen they go straight home after contests grrr and more often its only me and rachel left!!!

Absolutely! Bring on the bus!!!

 

[rutribal]

My twopenneth worth

Not posted for a while but noticed this thread and IMHO socialising is one of the key parts to banding! At the end of the day, yes being able to play your parts is hugely important, but what you also have to remember is that a Brass Band is a team and if that team cannot gel together they will never reach their full potential. Socialising is an excellent way of doing this!

I hear the comments of Leisa and lynchie and agree completely, whilst we (Flixton) have a reasonably good social side after rehearsals, come contest day it we all have to drive to the event, therefore pople feel less inclined to stick around and have a few drinks!! It sounds strange, but it's not just the socialising after the event, but it's also the builld up to the event, with everyone feeding of the energy/enthusiasm/adrenaline of every other player in the band. For Flixton, this isn't feasible as we just can't afford to hire a coach for contests (Any cheques made payable to Flixton Band hint hint!)

I still have very fond memories of contesting with Burry Port Band in South Wales where we would nearly always get a coach to contests, this usually keeps the band together for most of the day (and night) and it this can only help any band! Admittedly many hangovers also resulted from our insistance on staying to the bitter end - or until the bar shut!

Interaction with your fellow players gives you an insight into the people you are playing with (not like that!) and can only help in being able to play better as a unit. Little things like knowing how people react to things, subtle movements etc mean that you can react to any situation and overcome it!

Sorry about the long reply, but thought I would throw a few points into the melting point.

____________________________________________________________
Simon
Soprano (Flixton Band)

 

[Chunky]

If the band all get on well and socialise together it helps build the team spirit which is only good for the band.

Have just returned back to Norwich from the Leicester Contest where we indulged in yet another fine round of team building!

 

[sparkling_quavers]

Re: My twopenneth worth

I hear the comments of Leisa and lynchie and agree completely, whilst we (Flixton) have a reasonably good social side after rehearsals, come contest day it we all have to drive to the event, therefore pople feel less inclined to stick around and have a few drinks!! It sounds strange, but it's not just the socialising after the event, but it's also the builld up to the event, with everyone feeding of the energy/enthusiasm/adrenaline of every other player in the band. For Flixton, this isn't feasible as we just can't afford to hire a coach for contests (Any cheques made payable to Flixton Band hint hint!)

Well said Simon! We had a similar conversation in the pub in St Helens
COACH COACH COACH!!!

Socialising is such an important part of banding and totally agree in it's part in team building. I am in the midst of organising some interesting stuff for the Xmas social... so watch this space :twisted:

 

[leisa]

Re: My twopenneth worth

I hear the comments of Leisa and lynchie and agree completely, whilst we (Flixton) have a reasonably good social side after rehearsals, come contest day it we all have to drive to the event, therefore pople feel less inclined to stick around and have a few drinks!! It sounds strange, but it's not just the socialising after the event, but it's also the builld up to the event, with everyone feeding of the energy/enthusiasm/adrenaline of every other player in the band. For Flixton, this isn't feasible as we just can't afford to hire a coach for contests (Any cheques made payable to Flixton Band hint hint!)

Well said Simon! We had a similar conversation in the pub in St Helens
COACH COACH COACH!!!

Socialising is such an important part of banding and totally agree in it's part in team building. I am in the midst of organising some interesting stuff for the Xmas social... so watch this space :twisted:

although leetting the side down leisa may not be there *goes and hides away somewhere* but i may have a thing but i will try and make the social after the thing that i may have!!

 

[Martin Hall]

I think the social side of banding is very important, not just because a wee drinky in the pub afterwards is enjoyable but more because it keeps you together as a unit.

Although BEWARE!!!!!!

Many a backstabbing, moan, and general "bitchin" can be brought on after a particulary hard rehearsal, and sometimes can get out of control.

Doesn't matter how much we try not to discuss "the band" in the bar, it always seems to be the general subject for discussion.

Fortunately the band I am with has too many other interesting matters to be discussed although I know from experience many people leave and fall out due to the "social anticts" of their band!!

Should we all go straight home after rehearsal, --- think not!!

.... and just as a metter of interest, how many bandsmen involve their non playing partners in their "social banding"?

 

[bell_end]

It's better if you can put a distinction between rehearsing and socialising. On some occasions they get mixed up.

So as long as people don't turn up for a rehearsal drunk - or carry on tedious moaning about music and the way it's played in the bar - it's great for the team to pull together.

I've played in bands where in a practice they were great - but in the pub they were a bunch of inbreads, and not pleasant to spend time with - and the other way where the social life is good - but the practices are naff.

At the moment however - with the band I'm currently with - it's nearly there.............we work hard and play hard.

 

[Chainsaw Nick]

In the band I play in we are constantly trying to push the boundaries in order to create a team that will not buckle under pressure. We feel that it very important that there is total trust, support and commitment at all times by everyone involved.

We have already had weekends away that included raft building exercises, paintballing and caving. As well as meditation and the introduction of pre-rehearsal yoga sessions.

Our spiritual and motivational coach (who is on the committee) has suggested that in order to make the ultimate gesture we should all have the same tattoo. We have all agreed to having it done but we can't decide what design to have and where it should be located.

Any suggestions :idea:

Thanks