Getting The Best

How to get the best from
This is a guide to making a success of your event by booking Toddington Town Band. For over one hundred years, Toddington Town Band has been proud to bring music and pleasure to audiences near and far. The bands motto is Music for Pleasure, Music for Us, Music for the Enjoyment of Others and so the band pride themselves on their enjoyment in performance and in sharing their enjoyment with others. The performance itself, however, will only be part of your event, and to make sure we make the best possible contribution we would ask that you spend a short while viewing the following information. The common belief is that brass bands just play marches, however our repertoire is wide ranging - from swing, rock and modern pop to extracts from the Musicals, Operas and Classical as well as familiar TV and film themes, all specially arranged to suit the style and instruments of a brass band. Toddington Town Band is very versatile and can play music suitable for most occasions. We have access to over 400 pieces of music and also offer a bespoke service where music for an occasion can be specifically tailored and arranged. As well as the full brass band, we will be happy to discuss matching our ensemble to your circumstances and venue size to meet those occasions when 30 or more players are just too many!
Where and when would you like us?

Where and when is the event we need the date, times of day and the location? What would you like us to do? Maybe youd like a full concert, or just some background music? If the event is for a formal 'sit down' audience, the band would be happy to prepare a programme, including requests when possible, and organise a compere to introduce the musical items. This sort of concert usually consists of two halves with music normally selected by the Musical Director to match the occasion and audience. We can even tailor your programmes to a 'theme' with some possible suggestions including:
Film music Selections from Musicals Music from around the world Last Night of the Proms Christmas Music and Carols
The band is also happy to perform as part of a joint concert, with other ensembles or with a guest soloist. If the event is for a formal audience the band would be happy to prepare a programme and organise a compre to introduce the musical items. If its background music, what kind of event will we be playing at? Is there a theme? The band provides background music at several outdoor events throughout the year, performing at functions such as garden parties, anniversaries, fun days and fetes. We also participate at ceremonial occasions and provide accompaniment for religious services. Will other groups (musical or other) be involved? If so, how do you feel the time will be shared? Would you like the band to accompany singing? Its no problem, but its likely that we need some technical details and some additional liaison may also be required.
What we would ask from you

For nearly all events the band would require seating (usually for around 30 brass and 2 percussionists, although a smaller group may be possible). Chairs with arms can make things difficult for brass players, so it's best to avoid them if at all possible. We usually sit in horseshoe formation thats like 3 sides of a square - usually three rows deep. Ideally we expect to occupy a space of around 15m x 15m, although depending on the band a smaller space may be appropriate. If the band is booked to play in the open air, at a fete for example, it would be useful if the playing area could have some shelter from wind the stands we put our music on can get a bit top heavy and blow over easily in breezy conditions. We try our best to keep hold of our music by using pegs to hold the music to the stands. We are happy to play on grass but please bear in mind that chairs with thin legs, on soft ground, quite easily sink into the turf. This potentially damages the grass, not to mention players bones and instruments! Thought should also be given to what will happen in the case of wet or inclement weather? Will the band still be required if the event is cancelled or moved indoors?
For concerts indoors, we would appreciate the use of a back room or at least space to congregate, warm-up before playing and store the instrument cases and personal items during the performance. The band will need to know how to access the venue, whether there will be a long way to carry equipment and whether the venue is at ground level. Once at the venue, the band will require time to set up around 30-45 minutes before the performance is usual. When there is a shared arena, then details will need to be discussed regarding how and when the exchange between performers will take place. The band will usually arrive by private cars and would appreciate somewhere to park. Details of suitable locations would be very useful. Vehicular access to the venue for players of larger instruments would also be welcomed. For longer distance or more awkward locations the band may consider the use of a coach. Refreshments are always welcome - particularly at intervals - as playing is thirsty work! If you feel you would like to provide the band with more substantial refreshments, please do that at the end - its not easy to play immediately after eating and / or drinking well!
Making a booking
Toddington Town Band is an amateur organisation with many players having full-time jobs so it is often difficult to get a band together during working hours. We are pleased to take bookings well in advance but as a minimum we would appreciate a few weeks notice, particularly if there is a special theme or musical item you wish us to incorporate. The bands busiest times are usually during the summer season, with such things as garden parties and concerts in the park, and in the run-up to Christmas. To make a booking or for more information please use the contact page.
How much will it cost?

As we are amateur, you fortunately won't have to pay 30 or more players professional rates! However we aim to carry out our performances in a professional manner and believe we provide excellent value for money. An appropriate fee will be quoted to you once we know in what the engagement requires. The Band works extremely hard throughout the year, relying on income from concerts, fundraising events, subscription fees and donations. The money collected from our work is essential to our continued expansion and development and goes towards the day-to-day running costs, such as rent of rehearsal facilities, music, insurance, uniforms, stands and the substantial costs of instruments.
Promoting your event

Toddington Town Band is pleased to perform for many different organisations including many charities. The aim of most of these events is to raise money for good causes and their success often relies on attracting a good audience. Although the band has experience in publicising its own concerts, many performances are publicised by the organisers themselves, but we would be please to assist with the publicity of your event on the bands website. It should not be assumed that the band itself will bring the majority of supporters to your event; whilst our families and friends enjoy our performances, particularly in different venues, we cannot realistically expect them all to support each and every venture.

Getting The Best

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Getting The Best

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How to get the best from

Where and when would you like us?

What we would ask from you

How much will it cost?

Promoting your event

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