It was the penultimate rehearsal for the Charnwood Concert Bands summer tour this evening. Overall, there is a little bit of polishing the band needs but I’m fairly pleased with my preparations in the “string bass” chair.

That isn’t to say that I’m completely ready. There are a couple of runs and moments of timing I could do with going over and also one or two more songs that it might be worth engraving into a more legible form, for example where I’ve got a dodgy scan on my iPad or where my copy has unhelpful scribblings, like repeats heavily crossed out that we probably will do for our Belgian crowds. I also want to produce a full set of paper music just in case I have any technical issues on my iPad – peace of mind is worth the time and ink it will take.

I also need to do some other preparation work – such as working out what clothes I will take and how I will pack my equipment. There is also the matter of planning an itinerary for what Jane and I will do with our free time. It can always be changed but I like to have some options sketched out in advance. Still at least the most important stuff – like passports and being able to play the music to a pretty good standard – is in the bag already.