Matt and I were cooking up some music plans for Interesting and started nostalging about our days in school orchestras and brass bands. And we realised that we'd like to do that again. And other people probably would too.
Like you maybe? Fancy dusting off that flute? Getting that cello back from your parent's house? Troming that bone?
If so, we thought we'd do the following. Organise a school hall for a good time. (I'm thinking Sunday mornings). Invite anyone who wants to come. Adults, Kids. Whoever. All instruments welcome. All levels of ability. All musical judgment is suspended. We'll have a bash through the kind of tunes everyone likes to play: Dambusters. 1812. Theme From Superman. Maybe even get some arrangements done of things we'd like: Little Fluffy Clouds, Smoke On The Water, whatever. We'll do it because it's joyous to play musical stuff with other people, not because we want to achieve perfection. We might need to donate a couple of quid to the school for the hall but otherwise you'll just need to bring your euphonium and a music stand. We know there are other similar things going on, but, you know, we're not doing that, we're doing this.
Matt will take on the role of musical director and I will be demonstrating the triangle skills that made me the envy of youth orchestras throughout the East Midlands during the late 70s and early 80s.
Interested? Stick name and instrument in the comments
I feel proficient enough for ukulele, but I do also own a swanee whistle which I'd love to play better (so far it's only been really used for Clangers impersonations)
Posted by: Lloyd Davis | May 08, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Hah, sounds like a lot of fun. Once upon a time, I was a pretty good flautist. I'll need to acquire said flute from Cheltenham, but then I'm good to go. +1 vote for 633 Squadron. (The flute part for Dambusters was a total PITA if I remember - just endless, hard, descending scales).
Posted by: Tom Armitage | May 08, 2008 at 11:47 PM
that sounds like a ton o'fun. and i think i still know where my flute is! although, from chicago, the commute would be a little long.
cheers!
Posted by: stephanie | May 09, 2008 at 04:18 AM
I actually used to play the flute but somehow I've forgotten how to do it. Not quite sure how that happens over time. Anyway, I spent last night making an instrument for my 7 years old's 'junkbox orchestra' project. We could have gone for the basic 'shaker' - a plastic tub with rice in but no, we made a guitar out of a cardboard box, complete with elastic band strings (in different lengths for different notes of course) and an exquisite neck fashioned from a cling film box, all finished off with a purple ribbon for the strap. If was a lot more fun for my daughter to play it having made it and understood how it works. I just hope she doesnt grow up to work in advertising and make anything like that bloody Ford Focus ad.
Posted by: Alistair Sim | May 09, 2008 at 09:25 AM
http://www.portsmouthsinfonia.com/
Included Brian Eno and Michael Nyman, founded by Gavin Bryars. I have an MP3 of Mr Eno talking about it somewhere...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_Sinfonia
Oh, my lordy, brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMLOs6b_e3Y
Posted by: kim | May 09, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Not a chance in hell. School orchestra was the most vindictive, bitchy and unforgiving ego-fest that prepared me for a job in advertising. Besides I sold my oboe for more than I paid for it, which was some sort of cosmic compensation payout.
Posted by: Adam Atkinson | May 09, 2008 at 10:16 AM
633 Squadron is a belter.
Posted by: Matt Brown | May 09, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Senior Coconut does a mean cover of 'smoke on the water', definitely one to aim for.
If it's a one off thing, put me down for Trombone? If it's more regular I probs can't make it from Cardiff. But like most people, I've been meaning to pick it up again. Sounds like fun.
Posted by: Tom Harle | May 09, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Familiarize yourself with Maher Shalal Hash Baz, at least for inspiration on the attitude part if musicwise! Best of luck!
Posted by: v | May 10, 2008 at 07:58 AM
This is a fantastic idea - I missed Billy Bragg's big busk but a burst of Waterloo Sunset makes everyone feel great. I'd be up for it.
Posted by: GilesMDavis | May 12, 2008 at 06:11 PM
i gave up the trumpet so i could go to art class instead. this is a great regret now i have a useless degree and no brass section skills.
Posted by: fishfood | May 14, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Was about to Ebay my old saxophone, but fancy giving it a dust-off having read this.
I'm a bit rubbish, but would be up for having another go. Won't be offended if you need me to leave for bringing the band down.
Posted by: $ophie | May 15, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Sounds like an over representation of the wind in the comments. How about hitting things? Everyone knows valve trombones are wack matt ;-)
Posted by: Andy | May 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM