Who we are
Someone At The Door is a samba-style community band of about 35 people based on Bromsgrove in North Worcestershire, England. Our music is based on Brazilian Samba, with rhythmic patterns from Jamaica, Cuba, Africa and the USA. As a community band we welcome people of all ages who want to play, recruiting through workshops and throughout the year. We are a not for profit organisation, ploughing all our income into expenses and band development. With no musical director, we commission professional musicians to help us and we share development and leadership amongst us. We are continually trying new ideas and love to collaborate with other bands.

We think the magic of our band is that we all enjoy what we do (well, we don’t get paid!) both in practice and performance – and we hope that comes across in our energy and enthusiasm no matter what the British weather throws at us! We may not be as technically brilliant as some other more serious samba bands but we are lively, friendly, engaging and fun.

Organisation and committee
We are a small independent organisation led on behalf of our members by a committee.
The current committee are:
• Rory Shannon(chair)
• Lisa Jordan(Secretary)
• Derek Grainger(Treasurer)
• Maurice Preece
• Inge Riley
• Sean Shannon
• Laura Brodrick
• Adam Lote (junior co-opted)
For a copy of our constitution click here (coming soon)
Our last annual general meeting took place on 12th January 2010

Joining in
What do you need to play samba?
Mainly enthusiasm and a sense of rhythm – you don’t need to have played music before and you certainly don’t need to read music – it’s all done by ear and following hand signals! You’ll find it’s great for concentration and relaxation at the same time. We welcome people of all ages and abilities although we do ask that children are accompanied by an adult. You don’t need to buy your own instrument, we can lend you one if you promise to take good care of it and give it back if you leave us. You’ll find that you’ll soon be performing with us if you learn the ropes and turn up regularly.

We welcome anyone who wants to have a go - just contact us (see contacts) or come along to one of our practice nights or occasional workshops (see calendar).

Where?
We meet every other Tuesday evening from 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Bromsgrove Members CLub, Worcester Road, Bromsgrove. There is a free car park and bar facilities.
For a map follow the link:

http://maps.google.co.uk/places/gb/bromsgrove/worcester-rd/174/-the-bromsgrove-members-club?hl=en

Please check our CALENDAR for dates.

Fees (normally payable at each meeting) are currently suspended but do remember to bring enough for a drink at the bar!. There is no joining fee.

History
It all started when a leaflet dropped through our front doors in October 1997, the brainchild of Arts Development Officer Liz Bayley, at Bromsgrove District Council. The leaflet announced some Samba classes for anyone who fancied having a go. In a small semi-rural market town with a then relatively conservative arts scene this was an inspired gamble! The landlord and regulars at the Hop Pole Inn bravely bore our early rumblings under the tuition of Steve Clare from Birmingham. Throughout each session there would be timid knocks at the door from prospective members of this noisy club and the cry would go up above the drumming “there’s someone at the door!” – and our band name was born.

Our first appearances were nerve racking affairs (possibly for the audience too!) but over a couple of years, supported by the local council the class became a real band, moving to the local DDS&S club for practice nights. Someone At The Door became an independent community band in 1999 and has been entirely self-sufficient since then. We now perform and run workshops (in nearly all weathers!) at local, regional and national events – these have included….

• Birmingham Arts Fest (every year)
• Wychwood Festival (2008)
• Encontros (Brighton, St Ives, Birmingham)
• Sports Relief, Birmingham (2009)
• Lord Mayor’s Show, Birmingham (2009)
• Gay Pride, Birmingham (2009)
• Godiva Festival, Coventry (2007)
• Stratford Upon Avon festivals(2009)
• Newport Carnival(2009)
• Birmingham University Summer Ball (2007)
• Walsall Illuminations
• Christmas lights switch on (Worcester, Bewdley, Bromsgrove, Rubery)
• Kidderminster Carnival
• Kinver Carnival
• Bromsgrove Festival and Carnival
• Bewdley Festival
• Brewood Festival
• Astwood Bank Carnival
• Upton Water Festival
• Alvechurch festival of light
• Worcestershire Skills on Show
• Kidderminster Harriers Football league promotion match