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. Emphasis is placed on self motivation, developing life skills including discipline, fitness and teamwork.
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 2012 production "“The Race”.
ECE is a marching corps that are a member of the British Youth Marching Band Association, the Federation of British Youth Marching Bands and is in simple terms a marching orchestra.
Members & Learners
We are looking for new members to participate in the corps from the age of 10 to 24 with the majority of members being between 12 and 18.
We are able to teach individuals with no previous musical experience as long as the y are willing to learn and committed to practise! However, for some it is not easy and it may take several months before being ready to participate in the main corps. We teach each member to read and enjoy all types of music. Many members take their musical grades to advance their ability however this is not essential.
If you already play an instrument or have previously played with a Band or your school orchestra, it is an advantage and integration into the main corps is likely to be quicker.
Options
There is the option of joining the Brass, Battery or Tuned Percussion sections. The Brass section has a learner group which caters for individuals from the age of 12 or from 10 if the individual has some experience .
The Battery Percussion contains the drummers and we also have a Tuned Percussion section which includes the marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, tubular bells and timpani.
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 asked to sign for the instrument and are responsible for taking care of it.
Uniform
You will be supplied with a uniform for competitions and others events when you attend regularly. We supply a uniform to you free of charge with the only items you need to supply being 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 also required to wear black gloves.
Instructors
All Brass and Percussion Instructors are well trained in music and youth work, 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 members over the age of 18 are CRB checked.
Lessons
During 2012 we will be permanently based at Humberston School from 7pm - 9pm each Thursday evening and once a month on a Saturday and Sunday.
A full list of dates are on the ECE web events page, however these include all main Corps events
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 £14 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.
Visual & Drill Design
We use the latest drill software programme to develop and visualise our drill show. This is a complex choreographed routine and often demands a lot from our members. With our show often incorporating pieces around 200bpm being a member considerably 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 aim is to build an excellent relationship with schools to give all the opportunity to get involved in a fantastic activity.
Events, Show & Music
A variety of written music has been selected and arranged for us in order to give a well balanced book in addition to our main 2012 programme. As we will be involved in several special 2012 events we have also had our own Fanfare written.
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 and one Award Evening after FINALS in October.