Weekly Update - 1/16/06
Jan-16-2006 17:43 |
Weekly Update
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Greetings
All,
Sorry this is coming out so late but it has been a busy week.
Preceding Monday's practice we had a meeting of the Board of Directors. Mostly the meeting delt with the up coming Annual General Membership Meeting's agenda, also some discussion on finances, budget and treasury and of course we discussed uniforms. Specific actions will come out at the AGM on Monday a week (Jan. 30,2006).
We had a small but spirited practice after the Board meeting with the following people present: (Also, if you were at the practice and I don't mention you, let me know ... by the same token, if I mention you and you weren't there, let me know that too.)
Pipers: Kevin Byrne, Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Karen Killmeyer, Pete O'Brian & Ed Snyder.
Drummers: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel & Ethan Cochran.
We spent some time on the new "Pub Tunes" ... "Danny Boy", "Endearing Young Charms" & "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". The idea is that these tunes would be played at pubs and bars after we finish the parade and played as single tunes. Pete O'Brian also brought out the Chicago version of "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral" which we will add to this mix. After going through these tunes we worked on the "Quiet Man Set". We will be playing all three tunes in this set: "The Kerry Dance", "St. Patrick's Day" & "The Rakes of Mallow".
A couple of other things that have gone on recently. I had the honor of piping at a Fire Service legend, Frank Brannigan, who wrote THE book of Building Construction and the Fire Service. While at that funeral I met with several members of the new "Montgomery Co. Firefighters Pipes & Drums", including Russell Blinkhorn their president, and a couple of their pipers and drummers. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them.
The band is also going to see the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guard at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January, 28, 2006. We got a block of 17 tickets so we got a 10% discount. The price of the tickets was only $32.40 each. For those who ordered tickets, I'll have them at band practice this Monday and you can pick them up there. Make your checks out to NVFESPB. If you are not at practice, I'll have them at the concert. Drop me an e-mail if you are not making practice.
That's it for now. See you on Monday.
Steve
Sorry this is coming out so late but it has been a busy week.
Preceding Monday's practice we had a meeting of the Board of Directors. Mostly the meeting delt with the up coming Annual General Membership Meeting's agenda, also some discussion on finances, budget and treasury and of course we discussed uniforms. Specific actions will come out at the AGM on Monday a week (Jan. 30,2006).
We had a small but spirited practice after the Board meeting with the following people present: (Also, if you were at the practice and I don't mention you, let me know ... by the same token, if I mention you and you weren't there, let me know that too.)
Pipers: Kevin Byrne, Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Karen Killmeyer, Pete O'Brian & Ed Snyder.
Drummers: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel & Ethan Cochran.
We spent some time on the new "Pub Tunes" ... "Danny Boy", "Endearing Young Charms" & "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". The idea is that these tunes would be played at pubs and bars after we finish the parade and played as single tunes. Pete O'Brian also brought out the Chicago version of "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral" which we will add to this mix. After going through these tunes we worked on the "Quiet Man Set". We will be playing all three tunes in this set: "The Kerry Dance", "St. Patrick's Day" & "The Rakes of Mallow".
A couple of other things that have gone on recently. I had the honor of piping at a Fire Service legend, Frank Brannigan, who wrote THE book of Building Construction and the Fire Service. While at that funeral I met with several members of the new "Montgomery Co. Firefighters Pipes & Drums", including Russell Blinkhorn their president, and a couple of their pipers and drummers. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them.
The band is also going to see the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guard at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January, 28, 2006. We got a block of 17 tickets so we got a 10% discount. The price of the tickets was only $32.40 each. For those who ordered tickets, I'll have them at band practice this Monday and you can pick them up there. Make your checks out to NVFESPB. If you are not at practice, I'll have them at the concert. Drop me an e-mail if you are not making practice.
That's it for now. See you on Monday.
Steve
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Weekly Update - 1/15/06
Jan-15-2006 15:18 |
Weekly Update
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Greetings
All,
Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, I had the honor of piping for the Fire Dept Memorial Service and Funeral Mass, respectively, of a Fire Service Legend, Mr. Frank Brannigan. For those who may not know, Frank Brannigan wrote THE book of building construction and firefighting. It is THE Bible for structural firefighting ... how they are built and how they burn. I had the privilege of attending a class he taught a few years back, and he was a very dynamic speaker. He will be missed by the Fire Service.
The services took place in Rockville, MD and was hosted and organized by the Montgomery Co. Fire & Rescue Services. While there I got a chance to talk to several members of the newly formed Montgomery Co. Firefighters' Pipes and Drums. I spoke with their president, their drum sergeant and a couple of their other members, all of whom were also members of the MCFRS Honor Guard. Right now they plan to make their debut on the street at the 2006 Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade. While, speaking with the president of their band, I offered them any assistance from us that they might need. Everyone I spoke with had pretty much the same attitude, that they would like to have a congenial and cooperative relationship with us. A couple of them said that basically we were their inspiration; the band and Libby Harding, who use to work for them.
As a side note, as I was decked out in our full band uniform, including cape, a couple of them said that they thought they had the coolest uniform, but now they are not so sure. They were also very impressed with out patch. One of their drummers said that they may have to go back and revisit their patch and redesign it now that they saw ours.
If you like to know more about them, you can visit their web site at:
www.mcffpipesanddrums.org
Remember, tomorrow is the Board of Directors' meeting at 7:00 PM and regular practice at 8:00 PM. There will be no beginner practice unless you guys call me and make special arrangements.
See you all tomorrow.
Steve Cochran
Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, I had the honor of piping for the Fire Dept Memorial Service and Funeral Mass, respectively, of a Fire Service Legend, Mr. Frank Brannigan. For those who may not know, Frank Brannigan wrote THE book of building construction and firefighting. It is THE Bible for structural firefighting ... how they are built and how they burn. I had the privilege of attending a class he taught a few years back, and he was a very dynamic speaker. He will be missed by the Fire Service.
The services took place in Rockville, MD and was hosted and organized by the Montgomery Co. Fire & Rescue Services. While there I got a chance to talk to several members of the newly formed Montgomery Co. Firefighters' Pipes and Drums. I spoke with their president, their drum sergeant and a couple of their other members, all of whom were also members of the MCFRS Honor Guard. Right now they plan to make their debut on the street at the 2006 Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade. While, speaking with the president of their band, I offered them any assistance from us that they might need. Everyone I spoke with had pretty much the same attitude, that they would like to have a congenial and cooperative relationship with us. A couple of them said that basically we were their inspiration; the band and Libby Harding, who use to work for them.
As a side note, as I was decked out in our full band uniform, including cape, a couple of them said that they thought they had the coolest uniform, but now they are not so sure. They were also very impressed with out patch. One of their drummers said that they may have to go back and revisit their patch and redesign it now that they saw ours.
If you like to know more about them, you can visit their web site at:
www.mcffpipesanddrums.org
Remember, tomorrow is the Board of Directors' meeting at 7:00 PM and regular practice at 8:00 PM. There will be no beginner practice unless you guys call me and make special arrangements.
See you all tomorrow.
Steve Cochran
Weekly Update - 1/7/06
Jan-07-2006 15:13 |
Weekly Update
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Greetings
All,
This will be brief as requested by the drummers.
There WILL be a practice next Monday, January 9 ,2006. Beginners will meet starting between 6:30 & 7:00 PM with the rest of the band starting at 8:00 PM. All Pipers AND Drummers who are able should attend as we will start working on St. Patrick's Day Music.
We have already accepted invitations to march in the Washington, DC and Manassas parades.
The following Monday there will be a Board of Directors meeting at 7:00 PM at the Academy before band rehearsal so the beginners get the night off (unless they want to come in at 6:00 PM). Even though this is a federal holiday there will be a regular band practice at 8:00 PM.
Notice of the Annual General Membership Meeting was mailed on Friday to all those on the list as regular members in good standing. If you didn't get one mailed to you and would like one, let me know and I'll stick one in the post for you.
The Annual General Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, January 30, 2006 starting at 8:00 PM in lieu of the regular band practice.
See you on Monday,
Steve
This will be brief as requested by the drummers.
There WILL be a practice next Monday, January 9 ,2006. Beginners will meet starting between 6:30 & 7:00 PM with the rest of the band starting at 8:00 PM. All Pipers AND Drummers who are able should attend as we will start working on St. Patrick's Day Music.
We have already accepted invitations to march in the Washington, DC and Manassas parades.
The following Monday there will be a Board of Directors meeting at 7:00 PM at the Academy before band rehearsal so the beginners get the night off (unless they want to come in at 6:00 PM). Even though this is a federal holiday there will be a regular band practice at 8:00 PM.
Notice of the Annual General Membership Meeting was mailed on Friday to all those on the list as regular members in good standing. If you didn't get one mailed to you and would like one, let me know and I'll stick one in the post for you.
The Annual General Membership Meeting will be held on Monday, January 30, 2006 starting at 8:00 PM in lieu of the regular band practice.
See you on Monday,
Steve