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 ([email protected])

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.