"More Words and Music by Ralph Reader CBE"
Happy New Year for 2002.
2002 is the 70th anniversary of the first London Gang Show in 1932, and will be celebrated formally by a National Gang Show production at the Wimbledon Theatre, London on the 10th November 2002.
We, the hosts of "Gang Show From Scratch" here in the Midlands, after taking a two year break in our annual series of productions, have had many requests from member Gangs throughout the country to have another get-together in 2002. We shall therefore be celebrating Gang Show’s 70th Birthday by producing a second CD of Ralph Reader’s Gang Show music. (For those who aren’t aware, we made a first CD in 1997).
The first CD "Words And Music By Ralph Reader CBE" proved to be very popular, and has sold in excess of
1300 copies world-wide, and has enabled us to donate over £700 to the Ralph Reader memorial fund.You are invited to come along and take part in the making of a second CD recording entitled "More Words and Music by Ralph Reader CBE"
Date : Saturday 21st September 2002
Time : Start 9.00 am Finish 10.00 pm (estimate)
Location : Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa.
Many of the best-known songs were recorded on the first CD, and this may mean that some of the songs to be recorded this time are not as well known. Those who attended the first recording will remember that recording a full 74 minute CD in just one day means there is not a great deal of time to teach songs. Therefore we will notify everyone in advance of the songs being included, and will send to each Gang that would like to be included an advance tape of the music. It is imperative that people turn up knowing the songs, and the time can then be spent adding dynamics, and creating a performance.
It will also be essential for soloists to be of the highest calibre, and the major solo items will, if possible, be allocated in advance of the day. We know of quite a few talented singers from the Gang Show from Scratch gatherings and from visits to Gang Shows, but if you feel you have the ability to perform solo on a professionally recorded CD, please notify us on the reply slip. We shall try to leave some solo work for allocation on the day, and the recording engineers may have a say on the suitability of individual solo voices.
Costs
The initial costs of this venture will be high. We have to pay for the
Theatre, book an Orchestra (which like the performers must be of a high calibre),
pay for the recording engineers’ time and use of equipment, and for their time
back in the studio, and pay for the production of the first 1000 CDs, plus costs
of postage and printing and communication with Gang Members, production of
advance tapes, etc.
The cost of discs ordered in advance will be £13.00, which will also include the cost for taking part in the recording session. The cost of taking part without ordering a CD (or just coming to watch) will be £5.00. All those replying (and their Gangs) will receive further details along with song words, and have the opportunity to pre-order their copy of the CD, and other merchandise. Please do not send any money at this stage.
Your advance orders will help us to guarantee the success of
this venture.
After this initial spend, further Discs can be produced very cheaply, and there
are great potential profits for Scouting, Guiding & Gang Shows.
Phil Highley
Neil Roberts
Co-ordinator
Musical Director