Rules

1. MANAGEMENT OF THE BAND

The Band is managed by an elected Executive Committee which meets on a monthly basis. The Annual General Meeting of the Band is usually held in March of each year. The Constitution of Lewis-Merthyr Band establishes the framework within which the Band operates, and copies are available from the General Secretary.
All matters concerning the organisation, planning, operation and financing of the Band should be referred to the Executive Committee for discussion and action. All actions of the Executive Committee are however subject to the majority approval of the Full Membership.
Members of the Band are requested to inform the Executive Committee, through the General Secretary, or any other Officer, of any suggestions, ideas or complaints concerning the Band's activities.

2. MEMBERSHIP

Applications for membership shall be in writing to the General Secretary on the designated membership application form.
Players may be required to be auditioned by the Musical Director.
Players may be required to serve three months probation before being formally elected as Full Members of the Band.
Election as a Full Member of the Band will follow approval of the membership application at an Executive Committee Meeting.
Subscriptions are payable for Full Members, with reductions for students in full-time education, Members who are retired or those in special circumstances, approved by the Treasurer. These subscriptions are reviewed annually and may be paid annually or quarterly in advance, or by other arrangement with the Treasurer.
The Band rehearses twice a week, on Monday & Wednesday evenings (20:00 - 21:45). Visitors (playing or non-playing) are always welcome.
Playing Members of the Band are registered as members of Lewis-Merthyr Band with the Welsh Brass Band Registry. The Band itself is a member of the South-East Wales Brass Band Association and Making Music (the National Federation of Music Societies).
Members wishing to resign from the Band should do so in writing to the Band Manager or General Secretary, giving at least one month's notice. Playing Members who resign may seek, or be offered, Associate Membership of the Band to maintain a non-playing association with the Band.
The Executive Committee shall have the power, by notice in writing to a member, summarily to terminate their membership of the Band in any of the following events:
- If such a member is considered to be in arrears with regard to their Annual Subscription or any other monies owed to the Band.
- If such a member is guilty of any grave misconduct which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, is detrimental to Band wheresoever it occurs.
- If, in the opinion of the Musical Director, the musical standard of the individual is not maintained to an adequate level, and this view is endorsed by the Bandmaster and Band Manager.
- If such a member is considered to be in breach of the Band Rules and, following appropriate warnings, has not improved their conduct.
A member whose membership is terminated under the above, or a member who voluntarily resigns, shall return all Band property held at the termination of their membership, in such a condition as shall satisfy the Executive Committee.

3. CONDUCT

Members shall at all times conduct themselves in an acceptable manner and with consideration for other Members and the general public. Bad behaviour and language will not be accepted. The deportment, appearance and total demeanour of the Band is part of the service the Band provides to its clients and has to be as high a standard as the musical performance.
Playing Members are expected to attend each scheduled Band rehearsal and engagement, and duly prepare the music required for each engagement / rehearsal.
Playing Members should indicate whether or not they are available for the engagement as early as possible. The unavailability of any particular player can only be handled effectively when there is sufficient time to make alternative arrangements, if appropriate.
Playing Members must also indicate if they will be unavailable for any scheduled rehearsals. This indication should be made as early as possible so that changes to the rehearsal can be considered in advance if necessary.
In the event of short notice, or last minute, unavailability, playing Members should make every effort to inform the Band Manager, or other Officer, in person or by telephone as soon as possible.
Playing Members who will not be available for engagements are requested to assist with arrangements for replacement players by suggesting alternative personnel from other sources.
Playing Members are expected to have their music parts available at all times for rehearsals and engagements. If, for any reason, a player cannot attend a rehearsal or engagement, they should ensure that their music is forwarded to the Band in their absence, or left with the Band in anticipation of absence.
Band Members are expected to assist with the setting up and packing away of chairs, stands and other equipment at oth rehearsals and engagements.
Band Members should arrive at engagement venues by the time stated and wear the full uniform specified. Sufficient time should be allowed for travelling and parking, where appropriate.

4. UNIFORM

Band Uniform is worn for all engagements unless explicitly notified otherwise.
Band Members are expected to dress smartly and adhere strictly to the Band Uniform on all engagements. The form of dress for each engagement will be indicated.
Band Uniform consists of:

Walking Out Uniform
Band blazer, plain formal white shirt, band tie, plain black trousers, plain black shoes and plain black socks.

Stage Uniform
Band stage jacket, plain formal white shirt, red band bowtie, plain black trousers, plain black shoes and plain black socks.

Members are expected to maintain and keep their Uniform clean at all times.
Alternate uniform should be carried in uniform covers at all times.
Members who are issued with items of Uniform belonging to the Band will be required to sign a Uniform register.

5. PROPERTY CARE

Members who are issued with Band Property, including items of Uniform, will be required to sign the appropriate Property Register on issue of the property. The register will also be signed off when the item is returned to the Band.
Members are expected to maintain in good working order and keep clean any property issued to them.
Members are expected to safeguard any property issued to them.
Instruments should be transported in cases at all times, in order to ensure maximum protection for these valuable items.
Members will return to the Band any property issued to them, when requested by the Executive Committee or when leaving the Band.
Playing Members are expected to keep music parts in good order and tidy within the rehearsal and engagement folders.
Members who wish to borrow individual parts of music from the Library will be required to sign the Music Loan Register, and return the music at the earliest opportunity. Music may only be borrowed following consultation with the Band Manager and Musical Director / Bandmaster.

6. ENGAGEMENTS

Arrangements for Band engagements will be provisionally made by the Musical Director and Band Manager, in consultation with the Treasurer and General Secretary.
Detailed arrangements for the staging of the engagement and transport of equipment etc. will be made by the Band Manager.
Band Members are expected to assist the Band Manager in the arrangements for staging and transport.