We are pleased to formally announce that R.B.Hall Day 2007 will be taking place at the Fairfield Municipal Park this year. We had a wonderful time in 1999, and couldn't resist an attempt to "re-enact" that day. The town of Fairfield loved having us, and we loved being there.

Our plan is to use the gazebo for the main performance stage, and to set up a large tent for the alternate performance stage. And, yes!, we will be hosting the Maine Community Massed Band at NOON in the gazebo, complete with "Mr. Hall" in uniform with his cornet.

Please visit the R.B.Hall Day 2007 website via the URL http://www.schoolstreetwest.com/rbhallmaine/HallDay2007.html to fill out your application form. I have enclosed the paper version of the registration application for those of you who are not comfortable with the electronic format and or feel the need to include more information than we've asked of you. I am able to scan, convert, etc., so feel free to include as much as you'd like! (I'll print performance schedules, too)

You may notice a link on the webpage labeled Edgar Palmer. We lost our dear friend and patron this winter, and have decided - quite easily! - to dedicate the day and our program to Ed. Edgar was a charter member of our band, and was instrumental in all aspects of the concept and continuance of R.B.Hall Day. If you have lost a member of your band and would like to have that person remembered in our program, don't hesitate to send a short paragraph and or picture. As much as none of us wants to admit it, this wonderful community of amateur musicians is aging, and with that, we are missing many of our cherished friends.

Oh! While I'm here... We do need to know who will be hosting the event in the future. I know this is a big question that requires a lot of discussion and planning, and from that it is not an easy commitment to make. Please hold the thought that there's lots of help out there -- other bands are often more than happy to chip in with their expertise and time.

Those who were able to attend the managers meeting at R.B.Hall Day 2006 did come to several determinations about expectations specific to the tradition of R.B.Hall Day. It was agreed that R.B.Hall Day must remain its own event; that is, it is not appropriate for hosting bands to tie the event to a town anniversary or community celebration such as an "Old Home Days".  The group agreed that bands based in states other than Maine are welcome to join the festivities, but will not be invited to perform during the day; the exception to this policy is, of course, the occurrence of an empty performance slot. While musicians "from away" are welcome and encouraged to play with the massed band, the day is defined as a Maine Community Band event. Based on the community band premise, professional bands will not necessarily be invited to perform during the day. Again, it is a general expectation of the annual R.B.Hall Day that the event is an opportunity for amateur musicians to shine without the concern of inferred competition. The issue of audition versus non-audition bands has not been resolved.

I am planning to have a Managers Meeting again this year, but I'm not sure what time of day to hold it. Please shoot me an email with your "vote" for either 10:00 or 2:00 -- whichever time has the most votes will be the time of the meeting! And tell me what's on your mind!

We are admittedly late with our "advertising" so please feel free to shoot me an email with any questions and or comments that you have. And thank you, in advance, for being patient with us as we try to pull everything together!

Colleen J. Burnham
cjburnha@schoolstreetwest.com
R.B.Hall Day State Coordinator
R.B.Hall Memorial Band
22 W School St
Oakland, ME 04963-4909
home: 207.465.9204
fax: 207.465.9202