The Band's search for its Dream Band takes the second month of its two month break. As a recap, our Dream Band currently consists of the following members:

- Carlos Santana as the guitarist

- Geddy Lee as the bass player

- Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel as the Female Vocalist

- Queen's Freddie Mercury as the Male Vocalist

Last month saw the Band focus on soundtrack and film music. And for May, we have a double helping of themes - our main theme will be Classical Music, with a period at the end of May (and part of June) that focuses on the fun and games of the Eurovision Song Contest.

NOMINATE YOUR BEST CLASSICAL COMPOSER

Until Thursday 13th May 2010, I am looking to you to nominate who you think are the best composers of Classical Music, whether contemporary or past masters. I am looking for between 8 and 16 nominations, and those nominated will go into the "It's A Knockout" contest to decide who takes the title of the Band's Favourite Classical Composer.

LINK TO NOMINATE COMPOSERS

NOMINATE YOUR BEST PIECE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Until Thursday 13th May 2010, I am looking to you to nominate what are your favourite pieces of Classical Music, and they can be recent masterpieces or old time classics. I am looking for between 4 and 12 nominations, since there are 4 seeded pieces from when this contest was held in March 2009. All those nominated will go into the "It's A Knockout" contest to decide which piece will takes the title of the Band's and DM's Favourite Piece of Classical Music.

LINK TO NOMINATE CLASSICAL PIECES

IT'S A KNOCKOUT THREADS

Once we have our nominations for both categories, there will be two "It's A Knockout" threads running - one to pick the winner of the composers, and one to pick the piece of music.

"It's A Knockout" thread for Soundtrack Composers --> link to be confirmed

"It's A Knockout" thread for Pieces of Soundtrack Music --> link to be confirmed

TUNE OR NO TUNE

As a result, for the following weeks, some great pieces from the world of Classical Music will be picked for "Tune or No Tune", as well as the winning piece from the "It's A Knockout" contest for Soundtrack:

- Monday 3rd May 2010 --> Riders of Rohan by Howard Shore

- Monday 10th May 2010 -->

- Monday 17th May March 2010 -->

- Monday 24th May 2010 -->

- Monday 31st May 2010 -->

If you want to nominate a song that you think demonstrates amazing qualities for Classical Muisc for "Tune or No Tune", please contact Corki by PM or email shen_an(_calhar@hotmail.co.uk).

ORIGINAL vs. COVER

After the success this thread had in September, this thread is still going strong. Each week, 2 songs will be posted for your to vote on. Corki will be running this until further notice. Also, if you want to run the thread for a week, please drop Corki a PM. It will try its best to keep to the Band's musical theme for the month.

LINK TO ORIGINAL VS. COVER THREAD

GENERAL CLASSICAL MUSIC THREADS

There will be a general discussion thread about Classical Music. Please watch for the announcement of when this thread is started.

THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

Every year, for the past 50+ years, Europe has come together to celebrate music, both awesome and terrible, in the annual contest that is Eurovision. This is now the third year that the Band has dedicated time to the Eurovision Song Contest. This year's contest comes from Oslo after last year's winner (with a horrible song!) was Norway. We will host a wide variety of threads for the week commencing 17th May 2010. This includes:

- Corki's running commentary on the first and second semi-finals (25th and 27th May respectively)

- Corki's running commentary on the Grand Final (29th May)

- A general discussion thread on the joys of Eurovision over the years

- A general discussion on this year's contest from May

- A chance for the Band to pick their winner from those in the Grand Final using the Eurovision points scoring system --> last year's winner was Iceland (who should have won the real contest!)

- Much, much more!

Corki

Marshal-General

Band of the Red Hand Social Group Leader