British Open Countdown - 2 days to go

10-Sep-2009
Derek Broadbent recalls a couple of his highs and lows from the British Open.

Derek Broadbent was resident conductor at Brighouse & Rastrick from 1973 to 1983.

Highlight

"It must be the first time I conducted Brighouse & Rastrick at the contest on ‘Diadem of Gold’ in 1977.

It was a wonderful experience—packed hall, great test piece and the band playing superbly.

I had been resident at Brighouse since 1973, and in those days the band engaged a professional conductor to take them to the major contests. At the time they were in between new pros, so I was given the opportunity.

The band responded brilliantly, and although we came second to our great rivals Black Dyke, it was an experience I will never forget."

'I was sure we would be in with a chance if we played well, and everything was going to plan until it came to the draw'

~ Derek Broadbent

Flip side

"The second time I conducted Brighouse at the contest!

There was much the same situation in 1980 and I was asked to take the band on ‘Energy’. I was so looking forward to it—Brighouse were a great band at the time, full of quality players and had won the Open in 1978 under Geoffrey Brand.

I was sure we would be in with a chance if we played well, and everything was going to plan until it came to the draw.

We got the news everyone dreads at a contest—number 1, and that after the band had been drawn number 3 the year before!

In the end the band produced a cracking show on a piece that took a bit of getting used to as a listener.

In the end I think we came 7th—a fine result given the circumstances, but it was a lesson not to take anything for granted.

Someone will be drawn number 1 on the weekend—that’s contesting for you."