Who are the SACS Pistols?
The Pistols were formed at June 2007 and have become a fixture of the SACS musical community. You may have seen us perform at Trivia Night, the Winter Dinner, the Volunteers’ Supper or Carnevale. The band has two sections:
- The Rock Pistols: This is a stage band which plays mainly 60’s and 70’s rock and dance music.
- The Jazz Pistols: This is a smaller ensemble which plays jazz and blues.
If you are interested in hiring “The Pistols” to play at a private function, please contact us by sending an email to pandf@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
Alternatively, please contact any of the current members of the band, shown in the table below.
Take a peak at some of the gigs we have performed at:
Pistols Charter
- Our purpose is to support the SACS community, especially the parent body, by providing good music and good times.
- We play at three kinds of events: SACS events (such as Trivia night, Carnevale, Winter Dinner, Volunteers Supper), private events for charity fundraising (such as birthday parties) and private events for Pistols members.
- All money raised is donated to a SACS charity chosen by the members from time to time. (Expenses are limited to hired equipment, if required).
- We welcome new members. All SACS parents are encouraged to join us. When a member leaves the band, we advertise in the Andrean Weekly (school newsletter) to seek a replacement. If a new member wants to join but all positions are already filled, then unfortunately, a waiting list eventuates – so that the band does not become too large or unbalanced regarding the selection of instruments.
- All decisions are made democratically – by general conversation. If we “get stuck on something” then we vote.
- We do not elect band leaders or managers. From time to time, we hope that those who have the motivation simply “come to the fore” and do a bit more organisational work than others. This involves organising rehearsals, organising gigs, hiring equipment, sorting out fake books, scores, etc. Different members focus on different parts of this as it suits them. We are all “busy parents”.
- If there are more members wishing to join than positions available (a good problem to have for any band) then the decision regarding “who joins” is made by the existing members.
- We try to “pull our weight” by all making a contribution to the “organisational stuff”.
- We practise at homes of the band members. This can be any home but, ideally it needs a drum kit, keyboard and large amp with multiple jacks - oh - and a refrigerator for “refreshing beverages”.
- When a member needs to depart the band, he/she will try very hard to provide at least three months notice. The purpose is to provide time to recruit a new member and practise with that new person.
- The members may choose to invite SACS Old Scholars and “friends of members” to join the band if there are instrumental positions that cannot be filled from the parent body.
- Members bring new tunes along to practices to “jam”. Chord charts and lyrics are required. The score is also preferable if you can obtain it.
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We maintain a Pistols Book which contains the following info, which is especially valuable for new members:
- A table of tunes in the set, keys, starting chords and form.
- A Fake Book which describes chords and lyrics.
- A book of scores/charts.
