Mocha August 2011.indd - Mocha Shriners

Mocha Trumpet Band
Without music life would be a mistake.
UNIT NEWS
This is the reason why Mocha Shriners
have a Trumpet Band. Don’t you make
a mistake … join our unit!
Want to know the best way to confuse
a drummer?
Put sheet music in front of him. (A bit of band humour)
All kidding aside, the Mocha Trumpet Band is a funloving
group that plays fine music for many communities
and events. So come on down and check us out. We
practice every Monday night at 7:30pm in the Mocha
Shrine Centre Banquet Hall. We also supply the uniform,
instrument of your choice and will even teach. To
see what we’re all about, go to our web site: mochatrumpetband.org.
This superb website was set up by one of
our talented drummers, Paul Davidson. You will not be
disappointed I can assure you.
We kicked off our 2011 season on April 9th playing at
the Wellington Street United Church where we participated
in a closing/farewell performance and dinner for
parishioners and guests. A big ‘thank you’ to the church
committee for the delicious meal! Sadly the closing of
this church is like many organizations, succumbing to
the lack of new members. Our Fraternity has a similar
problem. I am sure this is only a sign of the times though
because Mocha Shriners have so much to offer; fraternal
friendship, the choice of many units to join and most
important of all, the funds we raise for Shriners Childrens
Hospitals, so there is every good reason to know we will
survive and grow.
On May 1st, many MTB members manned the water station
for the London Races. This is a worthwhile cause
and has become an annual event for us. Two members of
the Band participate in these races, Ron Henry and Rick
Hamm. The band issued a cheque for $500 to the
Thames Valley Children’s Centre.
At the Potentate’s Ball on May 7th we added to a spectacular
evening by playing to all the Nobles, their Ladies
and guests before they entered the Banquet Room.
Potentate, Illustrious Sir Jack Cumming and his Lady,
Helen were proud of the Mocha Trumpet and Oriental
Band Units.
Woodstock was the next to have the pleasure of our
music on May 23rd. The weather was perfect at the start
of the parade but it started to cloud over and rain before
the parade finished. Fortunately, being Shriners and
‘righteous’, the sun (almost) shone on us to the end and
we finished without getting too wet. (“Everywhere you
go, sunshine follows you …”)
On May 28th we travelled to Port Elgin for the
Mocha Shrine Ceremonial. Arrangements for a bus and
hospitality were arranged by our long-time Entertainment
Chairman, Ken Jenkins. Here again, Mocha Units supported
our Potentate, Illustrious Sir Jack Cumming.
Even though it was a long parade for some marching
members, the Trumpet Band looked smart and played
well. In the 2nd section the band, led by our enthusiastic
Director extraordinaire, Stew Taylor, we again played
and entertained. I am sure the 49 new Mocha Shriners
were impressed and many wished they could join us and
they can of course, simply by introducing themselves at
one of our practices. Rest assured each and everyone
would be most welcome. Hopefully those that were in
attendance managed to drop by our Jewelry concession
where Chairman, Greg Jackson and his assistants, Don
Gellatly, John Powell and Stew Murdoch spent many
hours setting up the display and selling well. By the way,
any time you are in the Shrine Center you can visit the
jewelry display. If you see any item you wish to purchase,
please go to the Mocha Office and they will be
happy to assist you. .
At this Ceremonial, the band was proud to present two
cheques to our Potentate: one for $4,000 to go towards
refurnishing Mocha Shrine Centre Banquet Room and
the second for $250 to help with expenses of publishing
the “Mocha News”.
We were in Stratford for Canada Day, July 1st doing a
7:00pm evening parade where we played to an enthusiastic
cheering crowd especially when we stopped a few
times and played “O Canada”. On July 18th we held our
Annual MTB Bar-B-Que at the beautiful London Life
Page 14 August 2011
MOCHA NEWS