PHOENIX WINDBAND: ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08 As a member of the evening class, you are automatically a member of the Phoenix Windband. The Phoenix Windband is an association, formed in July 1999 by members of the SCOLA Friday wind and brass band evening class. The original objective was to provide a vehicle for a successful application for lottery funding to obtain sheet music, which had been a major difficulty for the evening class in the early years, subsidise the first Wychcroft weekend and buy the drum kit. Its existence has enabled us to buy some other equipment, to maintain a bank account and thus handle the financial aspects of Wychcroft and of buying music, and to provide opportunities for the class to play in public. In the past year we have continued to meet as a SCOLA evening class and, under Paul's leadership, have made progress as an ensemble. We are fortunate to have a leader of Paul's experience and ability. Since this time last year we have played at the SCOLA summer concert in St. Dunstan's church (30 June - notable for the performance of Guys and Dolls with the choir), at the Chipstead fete (14 July) and at the SCOLA Christmas concert (15 December). Unfortunately the Christmas concert was not as enjoyable an event as it should have been as the church was freezing cold, and St. Dunstan's is badly laid out for a windband to perform. I hope we will have similar Christmas concerts in future but at a more agreeable location. Our usual summer garden party was called off, due to the poor weather. But we held another excellent Wychcroft weekend in January. In last year’s report I noted that a threat to the band was policies towards non-vocational courses and the consequent steep increase in fees, which would deter some members from re-joining. Other bands have left SCOLA and we have now decided to take a similar step, becoming an “associate” class. In doing this, the existence of the Phoenix windband as an association has been of benefit, as it means we already have an organisation and financial reserves. Suggestions for future activities are welcome, particularly concerning opportunities to play at events. Since we formed the association, I have been the chair (the responsibility has just involved writing this report every year), Howard has been secretary, Neil treasurer and Ray was organiser. We need to involve others. Many thanks to Paul, to Pam for organising the music, to Neil and Howard for the organisation of the Wychcroft weekend, to Neil for handling the money, to Roger for maintaining the website (www.phoenixband.org.uk), and to every member of the class for making Friday evenings so enjoyable. Let us hope we will be strengthened by being semi-independent of SCOLA. RICHARD CLIFTON