Blowzone

The Community Wind Band for Tavistock, Devon





Blowzone Rehearsal Dates

Summer Term Dates 2024
Apr 25
May 9, 23
Jun 6, 20
Jul 4

Autumn Term Dates (2024)
Sep 12, 26
Oct 10, 24
Nov 7, 21
Dec 5, 19

Spring Term Dates (2025)
Jan 16, 30
Feb 13, 27
Mar 13, 27

Summer Term Dates (2025)
Apr 24
May 8, 22
Jun 5, 19
Jul 3













Blowzone membership

New brass and woodwind players are always welcome. Our members are of all ages, from children to the retired, and range in experience from about Grade 3 to Grade 8 and beyond. About Grade 3 is the recommended minimum, but please discuss this with our musical director. If you haven't done any exams, that's fine (many of us haven't!) - it's the experience that counts.

Please feel free to drop into one of our rehearsals at any time - you're welcome to just watch if you want to see what we're like first. Alternatively, you might like to catch us when we're performing. If you'd like more information on anything, please contact us here: 

secretary@blowzonetavistock.co.uk 

We charge a membership subscription (to cover costs such as room hire and purchase of music):

  • New Members (first term only): £5 or free if joining on the last two rehearsals of a term.
  • Normal term rate Adult Membership: £20 if paid on or before first rehearsal, £21 thereafter.
  • Term rate Young Persons Membership (under 18): £10 if paid on or before first rehearsal, £11 thereafter.

Blowzone performing on Sunday 28th May 2023 in Guildhall Square, Tavistock


Friday 10th November 2023.

Blowzone at the United Reformed Church, Russell Street, Tavistock- supported by both Saxophonics and Flute Cocktail.

Wanted

  The band has grown in size during recent months, but we are still looking for French horn, Tuba, euphonium and bass trombonists.

Rehearsals

We rehearse during school terms, on alternate Thursday evenings (7.30pm - 9pm), in the Red & Black Club in Langsford Park, Crowndale Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8JR. Our secretary can give you directions if you need them.

The music we play is varied and covers many genres, such as jazz, blues, pop, classical, film and tv scores, marching melodies, song tunes and others. The aim is to provide interesting and varied parts for players of all levels of experience.

Note
If you would like to play along with a band also playing these scores: visit Blowzone's Repertoire page, where you will find useful examples. 


Blowzone rehearsals

 If you need any parts for practice, please use your link to Blowzone’s 'Google Drive Access', where you should be able to find the scores you need.

Current rehearsals will resume on September 12th.

Blowzone performing in Tavistock Meadows' bandstand on Sunday 14th July 2024, ably conducted by Sarah.



and here's Sarah herself, with two of the wonderful Bassoon players.



Blowzone players play any instrument that can be blown.




Not Blowzone playing here, but the Stannary Brass Band, playing for Tavistock's Carnival Concert in St. Eustachius Church on 12th July 2023- conducted by their Maestro, Peter Jones. 

Blowzone is fortunate to be also led by Peter Jones, and during the same concert, Blowzone joined with the Stannary Band to perform a number of great pieces to an appreciative audience!


For some years now, the Stannary Band have been getting together at Kelly College to practice some of their 'joint' pieces. Here are some of Blowzone's and Saxophonics's players on 10th July 2024, being fine-tuned with the help of Peter Jones, ready for their performances in St Eustachius' Church, Tavistock on 17th July 2024.


Blowzone at St Eustachius' Church 2024.

Usually, in this event, other guest performers are invited to play for everyone. This year we featured a duo called Jack of All Trades. A talented pair who were warmly received and very much appreciated, and here they are!

                            Jack of All Trades- featured at St Eustachius' Church, on July 17th 2024


Dress code for performances

  • Black trousers or skirt
  • Black shoes (no trainers please)
  • Blowzone polo shirt* 
    • Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL £14
    • Childrens sizes: very small £12, 'youth XL' £14. Part-exchange is available for growing children
  • Navy fleece* (optional, for outdoor events)
    • Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL £10
      Maggi has a couple of our new branded Blowone fleeces. Because they are embroidered they are more expensive than the previous stock and now cost £25.
    • If they are popular she will order more. (She still has a couple of the old unbranded ones at £10)

*Blowzone polo shirts and fleeces can be purchased through the band - please ask the membership secretary.

Constitution

A copy of our constitution can be seen here.


Updated: 20th July 2024