Membership
East Coast Elite’s mission is to provide all its members including learners with the finest musical education available. Although sometimes competitive in nature, the activity primarily is a learning experience and emphasis is placed on self motivation, developing life skills including discipline, teamwork and leadership geared towards individual achievement including the fitness of each and every member.
It is an education designed to give members an opportunity to be the best they can be.
Music In The Performing Arts
We are looking for new members for our 2010 production "“DREAMS”. The above Band is a American style marching corps are are a member of the British Youth Marching Band Association, The Federation of British Youth Marching Bands and in simple terms is like a marching orchestra.
Members & Learners
We are looking for new members to participate in the corpe from the age of 10 to 24. Some members may be selected under the age of 10, depending on if they have some music experience, which to any person is a great advantage (ie: read music, play a keyboard or recorder, etc). Most members are between 12 and 18.
We can teach from the absolute beginning, both Brass
and Percussion as long as the member has some rhythm.
It is not an overnight hobby and it may take several months
before you are ready to participate in the actual
marching corps or concert band activity.
If you already play an instrument or have previously played with a Band or your school orchestra, obviously this is a great advantage, however, this is not essential. We teach each member to read all types of music and enjoy. Many members take their musical grades to advance their ability but is not essential.
Options
You have the option of joining the Brass, Percussion or Tuned Percussion sections. The Brass section has a leaner group started which starts at the age of 10 with some experience. This new learner Academy section is taking part in events throughout the year.
Over and above this we have a tuned percussion section with marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, tubular bells timpani etc,
Instruments
All the instruments are supplied free of charge but must be looked after and kept in a safe place at your home while on loan to you. You will duly sign for this instrument and are responsible for it and you have to replace/repair it if it is lost, stolen or damaged in any way. Brass instruments are silver therefore look after your instrument carefully.
Uniform
You will be supplied with a uniform for competions and others events eventually when you attend regularly. We supply free of charge your uniform jacket, trousers, shoes, gauntlets, black helmet with plume. The only thing you need to supply are your black socks and a black tee shirt, preferably with the ECE logo on which can be supplied at cost. Fleeces and sweatshirts are also available at a net cost but are not essential. Brass players are required to wear black gloves.
Instructors
All Instructors are well trained in music and youth work in both Brass and Percussion, including some Peripatetic Brass Instructors and two Instructors who have been trained in an American Drum Corps. The Peripatetic Teachers come in to teach the learner brass section on a weekly basis. Specialist Instructors throughout the UK come along to our special monthly training weekends. All staff and junior staff over the age of 18 are police CRB checked.
Lessons
During 2010 we will be permanently based at Humberston School from 7pm - 9pm each Thursday evening and once a month on a Saturday and Sunday. New learner Academy members under the age of 12 come along on a Sunday afternoon only once a month to advance their ability. A full list of dates are on the ECE web events page.
Costs
Membership costs £10 per month which goes towards the school hire costs and is subsidised by East Coast Elite Fundraising Account.
Each trip away to a competition, show or event is
charged at £12 per person including staff. Parents
can travel with us subject to seats being available
and are always welcome to any event.
Friends & Parents
Please feel free to come along and visit us with your son / daughter and / or their friends. They and you are most welcome to come along at any time to a practice session to see how the training is carried out with our dedicated staff or to view competitions. Please note, all staff are police(CRB) checked in order to fulfil our duty.
Visual & Drill Design
To this end we are using software which is being purchased from McCormicks, USA and is the latest drill writing tool. It will computerise the movement of each individual player and helps us to enhance the story of our 2010 production. Being a member helps your fitness!
Lorry
We have our own Iveco Euro Cargo 7½ tonne lorry for transporting all our major instruments / equipment, uniforms and props around.
School
Education and school life is very important to us and anyone that becomes a member of ECE. There has been proven research showing that young people that get involved with music and art, show an improvement in concentration as well as showing a positive impact on school work.
Our aims is to build an excellent relationship with schools to give all the opportunities to get involved in a fantastic activity.
Events, Show & Carnival Parade Music
A variety of written music has been selected to play from films / musicals, etc to give everyone a well balanced range as well as our 2010 programme which is especially written for us.
Christmas Fundraising
During the Christmas period we usually have two or three visits to some of the Supermarkets, playing Christmas Carols in order to raise some money to offset the wear and tear on instruments, the cost of music and the general up keep of the day to day running of the Band.
Open Days
We have regular open days throughout the year. One Award Evening after FINALS Once per year.
Corps Merchandise
The Corps currently sells the following (optional):
- ECE Competition tee shirt
- ECE Fleece Jacket
- ECE Black Gloves
