DF bands

[mallen83]

I would say keeping the army bands is not a bad idea.

A question about that though - is it open for members of the RDF to become members of the bands? Its not as if you are talking about weapons and so on.

My thinking on this would be, if a person was good enough and talented enough to play the instrument, then they should be in the band if they wanted to be.
Assuming, that it is not open to members of the RDF to be members.

I am sure that there are a few members who can play instruments in the org.

[Barry]

The bands work full time. Just because some RDF lad can play an instrument doesn't mean he can also march while playing it. Adding RDF to the bands would be a waste of their time, and reduce the quality of their performances.

[hedgehog]

what performances

just becaus e you have a CD of them playing akey break heart and time after time by Cyndi Lauper

[Goldie fish]

The question about the band though, don't people PAY to see them play?

Does what they earn in appearances not balance out the cost of their upkeep?

Whereas the horseys participate at events where they have to pay to participate...

[Dazzler]

The question about the band though, don't people PAY to see them play?

Does what they earn in appearances not balance out the cost of their upkeep?

Whereas the horseys participate at events where they have to pay to participate...

Yeah, they played City Halla while back and tickets were in the Region of €20. However that may have been for Charity!

[northie]

The bands work full time. Just because some RDF lad can play an instrument doesn't mean he can also march while playing it. Adding RDF to the bands would be a waste of their time, and reduce the quality of their performances.

Not necessarily Barry - In my youth I was a tuba player in a marching band. A small scale affair mind you that was never too serious, but we played at lots of intercounty and championship matches etc.

But there are some non professional bands that put so much effort into their music and marching that they could be described as semi professional and would fit into the Defence Forces band without too much problem However, with the amount of time they'd spend practising, to maintain this standard you'd cease to have a functioning army reservist. I don't think it would be humanly possible to do both and maintain a job.

[Bravo20]

Having marched behind both civilian and military bands, there must be different tempos played by civilians because they are a bitch to march behind.

[northie]

Having marched behind both civilian and military bands, there must be different tempos played by civilians because they are a bitch to march behind.

I take it that you march at a set number of paces a minute (if so what) and the conductors of the DF bands score their music accordingly. Civvy bands just tend to go with whats on the sheet music in front of them.

[Truck Driver]

The bands work full time. Just because some RDF lad can play an instrument doesn't mean he can also march while playing it...

The former 10 Inf Bn had a Pipe Band (drwan from members of the Coy
based in New Ross, AFAIR)

Am presuming they are now in 33 Inf Bn.

An Cosantóir did a feature on them a few years ago.

The funding for same DID NOT come from the public purse, before anyone asks

If anyone on the board can give any updated information on this band, 'twould be
interesting to hear about it.........

[Dazzler]

I take it that you march at a set number of paces a minute (if so what) and the conductors of the DF bands score their music accordingly. Civvy bands just tend to go with whats on the sheet music in front of them.

IIRC it's 120 BPM, but that could be double time. If not, then it's 90 BPM.

[Truck Driver]

IIRC it's 120 BPM, but that could be double time. If not, then it's 90 BPM.

120 BPM is the pace for the Quick March

[northie]

I would say keeping the army bands is not a bad idea.

A question about that though - is it open for members of the RDF to become members of the bands? Its not as if you are talking about weapons and so on.

My thinking on this would be, if a person was good enough and talented enough to play the instrument, then they should be in the band if they wanted to be.
Assuming, that it is not open to members of the RDF to be members.

I am sure that there are a few members who can play instruments in the org.

I forgot to mention that the cost of a musical instruments, in particular of the "heavies" of the band such as the tuba's and euphoniums is probably greater than that of personal weapon which were bought in bulk quite some time ago. The latest AUG's eeem to go for about $2500 in the civilian US market - I'm assuming the Irish AUG's cost quite a bit less due to bulk purchase.

A mid or high end tuba say from the Besson Sovereign range or an equivalent Yamaha model will set you back anything from £6000-10,000 whilst similar spec euphs are anything between £4000-6000. I'd assume the bands are using reasonable cornets etc so probably in the region of £1,500 each for one of those.

I assume the band uniforms aren't cheap either......

[DeV]

A lot of the musicians are now DEs (even the other ranks)

http://www.military.ie/careers/directentry/music/index.htm

http://www.military.ie/army/specialists/music/career.htm

I have to say the new No1 band dress does look excellent (c1930s design), especially on a march past of the GPO.

[Truck Driver]

I A mid or high end tuba say from the Besson Sovereign range or an equivalent Yamaha model will set you back anything from £6000-10,000 ......

Holy sh1t !!!

Had no idea that the instruments were THAT expensive...

I have to say the new No1 band dress does look excellent (c1930s design), especially on a march past of the GPO.

Agreed - very gildy looking....

[northie]

Holy sh1t !!!

Had no idea that the instruments were THAT expensive...

Yep, they cost that much for good ones anyway and if your going to be providing the music for state functions and welcoming other heads of state one would assume you'd want high end stuff. Of course there's another range again that besson do called prestige which is even more expensive than the "sovereign" range and it was introduced, although I'm not sure whether the bands use those, to be honest they'd probably overkill for anyone who wasn't doing solo's. The prices I have quoted are at the bottom of the range web prices and the higher end of the scale bricks and mortars prices - however there is normally room for some haggling to take place.

Another cost (unless you arrange your own stuff) is sheet music. Normally a community band will buy a pack of sheet music - for each tune they play - typically this costs anything between £15-50 for a particular piece and will have all the necessary bit for each section. At the same time my understanding was that technically everyone is supposed to have an original copy of everything you play. Now most community bands just get around this by photocopying like mad, however in theory and if you were to "respect" copyright etc you'd be running into thousands every year for music alone.