Valley Beats Samba Band

Our History

Local Community Percussionist Katie Mallard formed Valley Beats to bring her love of community drumming to adults from all walks life. It all started in Holmfirth in 2018 with 6 weeks council funding through the “Try it, Like it, Do it” scheme. The Holmfirth group was so successful that a second group was then started in Denby Dale later that year. We are a friendly, supportive group that play at local gigs, fetes, festivals, parades and other events.
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Our Music

​Samba is a style of music that originates from Rio De Janeiro. We use Samba Style instruments and we do play a fabulously fast Rio-style Samba tune. However we also pride ourselves on playing rhythms from around the world and the majority of our songs were written by the director and band members.
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How the Band Work

We are like a community group in that we invite anybody from the community to join us, however, we are technically not a community group. This is because we do not have a committee and operate instead as a self-employed venture of our director. Katie is a paid leader and is also responsible for paying all the band’s bills through the fees taken from players. We also receive some support from the Central England Co-operative.
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You Must Wear Ear Protection

​Regularly playing in a Samba Band without ear protection will seriously damage your hearing. You must either use the ear plugs or ear defenders provided or purchase your own. Ear protection should be an absolute minimum of 25dB and over 30dB is better. Check before buying.
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Remembering the Rhythms
and Hand Signals

This is the most difficult part and may seem daunting at first. Be easy on yourself and forgive mistakes. You should find that after several weeks you start to pick things up more easily and after several months you may well remember most of the rhythms and breaks to many of our different tunes. Our music is taught aurally by copying and repeating, sometimes using words or phrases to help us remember patterns. There is also “community-style” easy to read sheet music and recordings online (ask for the link). Some members will write memory jogger notes and others might listen to the recordings at home. Practicing at home is optional but it will speed up your learning.
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Instruments

​Instruments are all owned by Katie although some band members choose to buy their own instruments and bring them to rehearsals. Katie has to ensure that there are the right variety of instruments being played every session, like an orchestra or brass band, which means that we plan in advance who is learning which instrument for the upcoming few months.

Agogo bell

Chocalho shaker

Tamborim

Caixa snare
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Surdo bass drum

Rehearsal Sessions and Costs

​Each week we meet to play old tunes, new tunes, experiment with new song ideas, work on technique or rehearse for a gig. We typically stop during all school holidays so meet 39 weeks a year.
 
Sessions are run:
Wednesdays, 10-11.30am, Holmfirth Tech
Thursdays 10-11.30am, Denby Dale Methodist
 
Your first session is free. After that the sessions are £5.50 or £4.50 for those who come with a carer or would struggle to afford £5.50. Carers always come free. Payment is preferred by card but you can use cash if you bring exact change. Some members choose to pay for a half term in advance by bank transfer. If you feel the cost would prohibit you from being involved in the band please discuss with Katie.

Gigs

The Holmfirth and Denby Dale groups come together for gigs and we typically perform at around 8 gigs each year and we charge organisers for performances. All members are invited to perform at gigs. However it is important if you sign up for a gig that you do attend. Gigs might be indoors or out, parading or static. Our band costume for gigs is black trousers/bottoms and a band t-shirt and/or hoodie which you should order in advance from Katie.
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Communication Outside of Rehearsals

Katie emails the band most weeks with information about rehearsals, upcoming events and gigs. We also have a social WhatsApp group, ask for the link.

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Other Drum Groups run by Katie Mallard

Banda Na Rua
www.banda-na-rua.co.uk
Fridays, 7.30-9.30pm, Neiley Pavillion, Honley
 
Drum Workshops and Parties
www.rhythmstick.co.uk
Private parties, schools, care homes, events, Scouts/Guides, teambuilding.
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Contact details

​Band Website:              www.rhythmstick.co.uk/valleybeats
Katie’s Website:            www.rhythmstick.co.uk
Facebook:                      /valleybeatsdrumming
Instagram                      /rhythm_stick
Katie’s Email:                [email protected]
Telephone:                   07736 049089