How to Join

It is the policy of The Cirencester Band that all persons shall have equal opportunity for membership of the Band.

The Band welcomes applications for membership and participation in its activities from any individual.

This band is conducted by Ian Hartnell, the Bandmaster and practices between 8pm and 10pm on a Friday evening. To join this band please call  01285 656662.

The Band consists of a few adult beginners and many young people of school age. More accomplished members join the first hour of the main band practice. Members of the Training Band are encouraged to participate in the Main Band rehearsals and engagements. They are invited to move on to the Main Band at the appropriate time. To join this band please call 01285 656662.

The Small Print.................

The Cirencester Band - Constitution
  
This is the Constitution of the under mentioned organization and as such may only be amended at an Annual General Meeting by two-thirds majority vote of all members of the organization who are eligible to vote.  Twenty-eight (28) days notice of any proposed amendment must be given to the Secretary in writing.  Such proposals must bear the signatures of the proposer and seconder.
 
GENERAL
This organization shall be known as ‘The Cirencester Band’
The organization shall be a voluntary public subscription supported brass band.
The organization shall not have any political, sectarian or religious connotations and shall be completely impartial in these respects.
The organization shall not be dissolved as long as nine (9) of its members desire to keep it going.
In these rules, wherever the context so requires, the masculine shall include the feminine and the singular shall include the plural.
 
OBJECTIVES
To promote the playing, understanding and appreciation of brass band music in it’s various forms.
To provide training for band members by way of regular practices, private and public musical engagements and taking part in contests.
To enhance the musical interests of the public, thereby publicizing the name and accomplishments of the town of Cirencester.
To foster good relationships and participation with other musical organizations within the Cirencester area.
To increase facilities for the musical advancement of the members and to stimulate local interest in the musical and cultural development of the band.
 
MANAGEMENT
Management of the band shall be vested in the Band Executive Committee
Advisors and guarantors to the Band shall be a group of trustees who shall have specified rights of veto over the Executive Committee’s decisions.
Eligible band members shall elect the following officers bi-annually to form the Band Executive Committee: -
CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY, TREASURER, BAND MASTER, DEPUTY BAND MASTER and PROPERTY MASTER.
For continuity of the Committee the post of Chairman, Treasurer and Deputy Band Master shall be elected in the first year with the remainder being elected in alternate years.
A Band Working Committee shall comprise of CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY, TREASURER, BAND

MASTER and PROPERTY MASTER.
The Executive Committee will annually co-opt two band members to carry out the duties of Assistant Secretary and Librarian if deemed necessary.
In the event of the death, prolonged absence or resignation of a Committee member the Executive Committee may co-opt the services of another member to fill the vacant post until the next Annual General Meeting.
The duties of the aforementioned officers are as follows: -
 
CHAIRMAN
To preside over all band meetings.  Supervise the workings of the Band’s Committee. Sanction all band expenditure.  Act as spokesman for the band.  Be responsible for general band discipline.  To keep the trustees informed of all major decisions of Band Committees.

SECRETARY
Deal with all band correspondence.  Take minutes of all band meetings.  Take bookings for all band engagements and functions and keep records of same.  Keep records of band membership.  Arrange all band meetings and give notice of same.  Act as Publicity Officer for the band.  Register band members for contest purposes.  Some of these duties to be delegated to the Assistant Secretary.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Such of the Secretary’s Duties as are assigned to him/ her by the Executive Committee.

TREASURER
Control the band’s finances as specified in paragraph 8.  Keep the band’s accounts up to date.  Collect members’ subscriptions.  Take charge of all monies collected or donated to the band.  Produce an audited balance sheet for the Annual General Meeting or when required by the Executive Committee.  Organize collections at engagements where required.  Pass receipts for all monies received via the Secretary.

BANDMASTER
Be responsible to the Band Executive Committee for the musical advancement of the band.  Ensure band discipline at practices and engagements.  Select musical programs appropriate for the band’s engagements when directed by the Executive Committee.  To arrange for the training and instruction of all band members as applicable.  Arrange, in conjunction with the Secretary, requirements for any band engagements

DEPUTY BAND MASTER
As above in the absence or at the request of the Band Master.  Assist the Band Master in the execution of his duties.

PROPERTY MASTER
Be responsible to the Executive Committee for the care of all property owned by the band.  Ensure band members are properly equipped with instruments and uniforms.  Ensure that members take reasonable care of property loaned to them.  Keep records of signatures for all property loaned.  Ensure that collective items or equipment (stands, drapes, chairs, music etc.) are available for band use at practices and engagements. Authorize when necessary the use of band property by a band member with any other organization when approved by the Executive Committee.  Keep the practice room tidy.  Keep an up to date inventory of all band property.  Maintain a temporary loan book.

LIBRARIAN
Catalogue and keep in good order by repair and replacement the band’s music library, ensure that all members have the correct music available for practice and engagements.

TRUSTEES
Three (3) Trustees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, to serve on a lifetime basis.
The three Trustees should be responsible local persons and where possible one a business man, another a member of the legal profession and the third should have considerable band experience.
Selection of new Trustees to be proposed by the existing Trustees and placed with prior notice before the band for approval.
The Trustees are to select their own spokesman.
The Trustees may veto band Executive Committee Decisions that would place the Band in debt.
In the event of the band being dissolved the Trustees will hold all monies and properties owned by the band, in trust.
The Trustees may only dispose of the band monies and property if after five (5) years they are unable to reform the band.  During these five (5) years the Trustees are to advertise frequently in an attempt to reform the Band.
The band monies and property may only be disposed of to an established Cirencester organization with a musical interest.

PRESIDENTS
A President and a number of Vice Presidents are to be selected by the Executive Committee to serve on a lifetime basis with the right of resignation.
The President and Vice Presidents are to be chosen from prominent citizens of the town to help promote the band in public life.
The selection of Presidents and Vice Presidents to be approved by the whole band.

MEETINGS
An Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of February and shall be open to the public during the adoption of reports and election of officers and closed to the public for the remainder of the meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Band Master and spokesman for Trustees shall be made and when applicable new Executive Committee members elected.
Executive Committee meetings are to be held at least quarterly. Five (5) members present will form a quorum.
Working Committee meetings are to be held as often as required by the Chairman but not less than every two months.  Three (3) members present shall form a quorum.
Extraordinary General Meetings may be called at any time at the direction of the Executive Committee or the Board of Trustees.
Extraordinary General Meetings will not be public meetings.

FINANCIAL
The band shall hold a current account with a clearing bank.
Cheques drawn on the current account must be authorized by the Chairman and either the Treasurer or Secretary.
The amount held in the current account must not exceed for more than a period of three (3) calendar months such an amount as is agreed from time to time with the Trustees.
All excess monies to be transferred at three calendar monthly intervals by the Treasurer to a Deposit Account either with the same bank or with a reputable Building Society.
Withdrawals from the Deposit Account must be authorized by the Chairman and one of the Trustees.
Proper accounts shall be kept of all monies received and expended by the Band. Such accounts must be prepared by a suitable qualified person every year appointed by the Executive Committee.
The prepared accounts are to be submitted to the members attending the AGM for their approval.

MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to all persons who wish to play a band instrument and who agree to abide by the band rules and with the Band’s objectives as set out in paragraph 2.
No member shall receive payment directly or indirectly for services to the organization other than for legitimate expenses incurred in the execution of its functions.
Membership will be divided into the following four (4) categories: -
(i) JUNIOR MEMBERS
Playing members under the age of fifteen (15) years who will not be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting or hold Executive Committee office.
(ii) SENIOR MEMBERS
Playing members over the age of fifteen (15) years who will be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting and hold Executive Committee office only if their subscriptions are fully paid up.
(iii) LIFE MEMBERS
Non-playing or retired members who have been elected by the Executive Committee to Life Membership who will not have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting but who will be eligible to hold Executive Committee Office.
(iv) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Members of other bands who regularly assist the band who will have limited voting rights at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Senior and Junior Members shall pay such annual subscriptions as the Executive Committee shall decide.
All new Members shall be held on probation for one month.  After this time a Member will be proposed and if accepted by the full band will become a duly elected member of the band.
Any member of the Band who is concerned in any act, which in the opinion of the Executive Committee is detrimental to the proper conduct of the Band, may be suspended from the organization for a period of not more than two months.
Said member is to be informed in writing of the Executive Committee decision and invited to make amends or explain their actions within that two month period.
If there is continued disagreement between the said member and the Executive Committee, the member has the right to a final hearing before the full Band, when continued membership shall be decided by secret ballot.
If after two months there has been no response from the member, the Executive Committee shall ask the full Band for permission to remove said person from the Band’s membership.
All members are to be supplied with a Membership Card and a current copy of the Band rules upon payment of their annual subscription
Life Members are to be presented with a Certificate.

BAND RULES
A set of band rules shall be drawn up by the Executive Committee governing the conduct of members at practices, engagements and in general relationship to the Band.
These rules may be amended at any time by the band Executive Committee in as much as the rules by amendment do not affect this constitution.

INSURANCE
a.        The Executive Committee shall ensure that all band property is adequately insured.
b.       The Executive Committee shall ensure that all band members are insured against accidents and public liability whilst engaged in band functions.


The Cirencester Band - Rules

1. MANAGEMENT OF THE BAND
The Band is managed by an elected Executive Committee which meets on a monthly basis. The Annual General Meeting of the Band is usually held in February of each year. The Constitution of The Cirencester Band establishes the framework within which the Band operates, and copies are available from the Secretary. A copy is posted on the Band's noticeboard and website.
All matters concerning the organisation, planning, operation and financing of the Band should be referred to the Executive Committee for discussion and action.
Members of the Band are requested to inform the Executive Committee, through the Secretary, or any other Executive Committee member, of any suggestions, ideas or complaints concerning the Band's activities.

2. MEMBERSHIP
All persons shall have equal opportunity. The Band welcomes applications for membership and participation in its activities from any individual.
New players of aged 15 years or over may be required to serve a one month probation before being invited to seek Senior membership of the Band by being formally elected at the next Band meeting or practice.
Subscriptions are payable for Senior Members, with reductions for students in full-time education. These subscriptions are reviewed annually and must be paid annually in advance.
The Band rehearses once a week, on Friday evenings (20:00 – 22:00). Visitors (playing or non-playing) are always welcome. The Training Band rehearses once a week, on Friday evenings (19:00 – 21:00).
Playing Members of the Band may be registered as members of The Cirencester Band with the British Brass Band Registry. The Band itself is a member of the British Federation of Brass Bands, and the Gloucestershire  Brass Band Association.
Members wishing to resign from the Band shall do so in writing to the Secretary, giving at least one month's notice. Playing Members who resign may seek, or be offered, Associate Membership of the Band.
The Executive Committee shall have the power, by notice in writing to a member, to suspend his membership of the Band in any of the following events:
If such a member is considered to be in arrears with regard to his Annual Subscription or any other monies owed to the Band.
If such a member is guilty of any grave misconduct which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, is detrimental to the Band wheresoever it occurs.
If, in the opinion of the Bandmaster, the musical standard of the individual is not maintained to an adequate level, and this view is endorsed by the Executive Committee.
If such a member is considered to be in breach of the Band Rules and, following appropriate warnings, has not improved his conduct.
A member whose membership is terminated under the above, or a member who voluntarily resigns, shall return all Band property held at the termination of his membership, in such a condition as shall satisfy the Executive Committee.

3. CONDUCT
Members shall at all times conduct themselves in an acceptable manner and with consideration for other Members and the general public. Bad behaviour and language will not be accepted. The deportment, appearance and total demeanour of the Band is part of the service the Band provides to its clients and is just as important as a high standard as the musical performance.
Playing Members are expected to attend each scheduled Band rehearsal and engagement.
Playing Members must indicate on the Band Engagement Sheets whether or not they are available for the engagement as early as possible. The unavailability of any particular player can only be handled effectively when there is sufficient time to make alternative arrangements, if appropriate.
In the event of their unavailability, playing Members must make every effort to inform the Bandmaster, or Secretary, in person or by telephone as soon as possible.
Playing Members are expected to have their music parts available at all times for rehearsals and engagements. If, for any reason, a player cannot attend a rehearsal or engagement, he must ensure that his music is forwarded to the Band in his absence, or left with the Band in anticipation of his absence.
Band Members are expected to assist with the setting up and packing away of chairs, stands and other equipment at rehearsals and engagements.
Band Members should arrive at engagement venues by the time stated and wear the full uniform specified. Sufficient time should be allowed for travelling and parking, where appropriate.

4. UNIFORM
Band Members are expected to dress smartly and adhere strictly to the Band Uniform on all engagements unless explicitly notified otherwise.
Band Uniform for players aged 15 and over consists of the Band jacket, white shirt, band tie, black trousers, black shoes and black socks.
Band Uniform for players aged under 15 consists of the Band sweatshirt, white shirt, band tie, black trousers, black shoes and black socks.
Band Uniform for Training Band engagements consists of a white shirt, band tie, black trousers, black shoes and black socks.
Members are expected to maintain and keep clean their Uniform.
Members who are issued with items of Uniform belonging to the Band will be required to sign the Uniform register.

5. PROPERTY CARE
Members who are issued with Band Property, including items of Uniform, will be required to sign the appropriate Property Register on issue of the property. The register will also be signed off when the item is returned to the Band.
Members are expected to maintain in good working order and keep clean any property issued to them.
Members are expected to safeguard any property issued to them.
Members will return to the Band any property issued to them, when requested by the Executive Committee or when leaving the Band.
Playing Members are expected to keep music parts in good order and tidy within the rehearsal and engagement folders.
Members who wish to borrow music from the Library must arrange for a copy with the Librarian.

6. ENGAGEMENTS
Arrangements for Band engagements will be provisionally made by the Secretary in liaison with the event organisers.
Detailed arrangements for the staging of the engagement will be made by the Bandmaster and Band Members are expected to assist the Bandmaster in his arrangements.
Detailed arrangements for the transport of equipment etc. will be made by the Property Master and Band Members are expected to assist the Property Master in his arrangements.