On the first Tuesday in June, we met as a full band in person for the first time in about 14 months, at Patterson Park in Austin. It was a thrill just to be able to see each other’s faces somewhere other than Zoom – and to actually hear each other as we ran through some of our tunes together!
We will be meeting in person every Tuesday, starting at Patterson Park under the Gazebo. See Join Us for details. As always, stay tuned to email to confirm this week’s location. Not on our email list? Contact us and we’ll add you.
We ask that anyone attending rehearsals be fully vaccinated (2 weeks after your second vaccine dose).
Welcome to the second Blowcomotion Newsletter! This newsletter is to keep all our band members, future band members, volunteers and supporters updated on what we have been doing and what we have planned for the future.
Announcements
Well, for a group of people who enjoy getting together to learn and play music, this time has been extremely difficult. We took social distancing very responsibly and held our last practice on March 10.
As you may know, Honk!TX was postponed. We can’t wait for the rescheduled date. The Texas Community Music Festival was also postponed. The new date is the end of August and we plan on participating on August 25.
So far, none of our Blowcomotion band mates have been sick with coronavirus, but we are saddened that some of our friends and family have had the virus. We are also saddened by the financial impact social distancing has had on our friends and family. We hope we will be able to practice together in person at some future date. When that time comes, we’ve been practicing and we’ll be ready. We hope you will join us.
We are grateful for those who continue to make contributions to us via checks and PayPal. And thank you to our anonymous benefactor for your generosity.
New Teachers
Our low brass teacher, John Dinning, is taking some time off from Blowcomotion to be a new dad. We have a few people substituting for him.
Sean Harvey is our newest percussion teacher. He started back in January and we love his instruction.
New Logo and Merchandise
We have a new logo – which is at the top of this page. And, in the future, we will be selling merchandise! T-shirts, stickers. Email us at blowcomotion@gmail.com for updates.
New Instruments
Thanks to everyone’s support, Blowcomotion purchased more instruments for its instrument lending program. We found two cornets at the Austin ISD warehouse sale – all they needed were a little cleaning and mouthpieces. They are both ready for loaning. Recently we found a flute also ready for loaning.
If you find some unused band instruments in the back of your closet, please consider donating to us.
To borrow one of the Blowcomotion instruments, please email us at blowcomotion@gmail.com for instrument availability and requirements.
Our January Gigs
In January, we had so much fun at the Central Texas Pig Rescue’s Pig Pageant. The Pageant was held at Mueller and we joined our friends in Minor Mishap Marching Band in entertaining the crowds before the start of the Pageant.
After the Pig Pageant we played at a special birthday party for our band mate and friend, David Wittie.
Our Future Gigs
August 25 – our first performance at the Texas Community Music Festival is scheduled for Central Market on N. Lamar at 7 p.m.
Fundraising
Fundraising is hard. Right now, it is especially difficult with so many needing help to get through this economic crisis. Our needs are small; we continue to pay our teachers for helping us learn to play our instruments – that is our only current expense.
To help with fundraising, we’ve launched a Patreon page. To access our Patreon account, you can go to https://www.patreon.com/blowcomotion. For as little as $5 per month, you will be able to access our livestreams and giveaways (well, when we start playing together.)
COME JOIN US!
Our sectionals get together online about once a week. Our teachers have also prepared helpful videos so when we return to playing as a band, we will sound awesome. If you need contact information to join the online sectionals, email us at blowcomotion@gmail.com and we will get the sectional information to you.
SURVEY RESULTS!
In February we sent out a survey to everyone on the email list for input. “Thank You” to the 23 people who answered – we found it very helpful!
Some interesting facts:
54% have been playing in Blowcomotion for over a year
45% have been playing in Blowcomotio for less than a year
45% are re-learners
29% are learners
16% are there for fun
87% feel the first hour sectionals are helpful
75% like the song selection as it is
79% believe the band does the right amount of gigs
NEW SONGS AND CURRICULUM
We are updating our curriculum to better serve our current and future students.
Omar Garcia is adding new songs to our repertoire. The newest song is “Sunday Morning.”
Blowcomotion is a nonprofit corportion and has received a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-exempt. Blowcomotion greatly appreciates your financial and instrument donations.We are supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
This newsletter is to keep all our band members, future band members, volunteers and supporters updated on what we have been doing.
We plan on sending out a quarterly newsletter to keep all our band members, future band members, volunteers and supporters updated on what we have been doing and what we are planning.
Announcements
Thanks to everyone’s support, Blowcomotion purchased the first instrument of its instrument lending program — a sousaphone! Thank you Austin Walton for giving us a great deal.
Special Thanks
To our financial supporters – the Cheswatyr Foundation and Minor Mishap Marching Band. We love you!
Upcoming Fundraiser
We are planning a PARTY!! We are looking at an early March date to hold a fundraiser and celebrate the launch our new Patreon community. We will be sending invitations to all of you and hope you will come. Bring an instrument and jam with us!
Our December Gigs
We had a very busy December. Blowcomotion played at the opening of the 37th Street Lights on December 14. We had a large and enthusiastic crowd and the Christmas lights were amazing! We are so thrilled to have this Austin tradition back.
On December 15, we played a charity benefit for an orphanage in Africa.
Speaking of Austin traditions, on December 20, we played at the City of Austin’s Trail of Lights. The rain stopped long enough for our set, but as soon as we finished, there was a downpour!
Blowcomotion had a first in January! Two gigs in one day. We played a set for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity on January 11. It was a beautiful day at Mueller Amphitheater and the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity had a successful fundraiser. That evening we played at the HonkTX! prom/fundraiser.
On Saturday, January 25, we played at an Australia Day Benefit benefitting the Australian Red Cross. Another successful fundraiser.
Future Gigs:
April 3 to 5 – HonkTX!! We can’t wait. We have one set Friday night at Spider House/Adams Hemphill Park, one set on Saturday at Mueller Lake, and one set Sunday at Pan Am Park. More information to come.
April 28 – our first performance at the Texas Community Music Festival. Central Market on N. Lamar at 7 p.m.
JOIN US!
If you haven’t been to one of our performances, we would love to see you. If you are interested in playing with us — even if you have never played an instrument — COME JOIN US!!
New Songs
Omar Garcia has been working on some new arrangements for us. At our January 14 band practice we learned Funky Fanfare and at our January 21 practice we learned Pick Up the Pieces and Sweet Dreams Are Made of These. Thank you Omar for keeping it challenging!
Practices are held on Tuesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. with instrument sectionals. From 8 to 9 p.m. we play together as a band. During Winter months, we practice at the ADAPT of Texas building, 1100 S IH 35 near the intersection with Riverside Drive. Look for the giant wheelchair on the side of the building. During Spring, Summer and Fall, we practice at Mueller, near the hanger.
Blowcomotion is a nonprofit corporation and has received a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-exempt. Blowcomotion greatly appreciates your financial and instrument donations.We are supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
When it’s warmer (Spring, Summer, Fall and Austin Winter) we meet at Shipe Park. Contact us to register, and stay tuned to email announcements for details!
About The Band
Blowcomotion is Austin’s Community Learning Brass Band. We welcome folks of all musical abilities.
