Raw Rhythm – From the Arena to the Stage!

As part of the British Federation of Youth Marching Band Organisations MARCHON development strategy it is supporting the Senators ‘Raw Rhythm’ stage tour. The Federation hopes that in the future other bands and corps will adopt this theatre concept as a winter activity to create both new performance opportunities and attract new audiences to our unique activity.

The Federation’s Hon. Director Jim Vaughan explains “All member organisations signed up to the ‘MarchOn’ strategy in 2006, an important part of which was to address the issue of different show ideas that will get new people to watch. I believe that as we do this, we must make sure that our USP of ‘live music integrated with music’ is preserved - and Raw Rhythm certainly does this”

The Senators conceived and directed show begins its tour on November 24th with a preview at the new Thornden Hall in Hampshire, 300 meteres from J12 of the M3. It then moves to Dame Cleo Lane and Sir John Dankworth’s centre ‘The Stables’ in Milton Keynes on January 19th 2008, followed by the Towngate Theatre in Basildon on February 16th.

The Senator’s Director Joe Fitzpatrick adds “ After a hectic year with indoor percussion, the full summer season and then our success at DCE, this is a big extra commitment – but the cast are certainly rising to the challenge and it promises to be a hugely entertaining show”
Workshops will be staged from 5.00pm on each show day at the various venues. Bands wishing to sign up to these should e mail the Federation office at least 7 days before (marchbands@aol.com)

The shows are based in the south because it was hoped that specific South East funding would be granted. Venue and box office details are on www.rawrhythm.org.uk. Tickets range from £6.00 to £8.00.

This is a valuable initiative which it is hoped that the activity will fully support. It is important for the cast that the theatre auditoriums have a strong activity presence.