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2012 European Championships — Side events and features

Away from the main contests, the European Championships revealed plenty of things to keep you interested...

Ulf Rosenberg and Philip Cobb
The President and the Master: Ulf Rosenberg and Philip Cobb

Further Goldy Solution images can be seen at:

www.pbase.com/troonly/2012_ebbc
www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1310g.asp
www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1310k.asp
www.4barsrest.com/articles/2012/1310l.asp

As always with the European Championships, there was a great deal of interesting things to listen to away from the main spotlight events.

On the Thursday the Composers Competition came of age with a quartet of diverse works performed splendidly by Brass Band Groningen and Brass Band Rijnmond in the compact surroundings of the smaller Jurriaanse Zaal.

Well supported


Well supported it gave the whole event a uplifting start, despite Paul McGhee’s excellent winning composition ‘Lullaby’ taking inspiration from a poem that leads to instant death!  

His is a very unique compositional voice, that fully deserved the claim the 3000 Euro first prize, but EBBA could perhaps enhance the prestige of the event by also ensuring that the winner gets to write the B Section test piece the following year.   

Men in organge
The sartorial elegance of the average Dutchman...

Wonderful opportunity

Meanwhile, the European Youth Band continued to provide a wonderful opportunity for young players with an experience they will never forget, thanks to the fine conducting of Erik van de Kolk and some well planned events.

They performed splendidly in their joint role as Euro ambassador/ salesmen in their series of concerts – a role that surely led to many more people taking time to come and listen to the event as a whole.

Brass band culture

Paul Hindmarsh chaired an interesting Brass Conference, where representatives from Norway, Scotland, France and Ireland gave presentations into how a brass band culture has grown and continues to grow in their countries.

Of particular interest was Roy Terry’s clear analysis of French banding, which holds such promise in so many ways – from the development of high class community ensembles to the possible hosting of the championships by entrepreneurial cultural departments in cities such as Lille.

Special mention

A special mention though for the Gala Concert, which featured the remarkable Philip Cobb, the brass ensemble of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the baton of Ivan Meylemans and Manger Musikklag directed by Martin Winter (with Peter Sebastian Szilvay on fourth percussion!).

The first half was serious music making of the very highest class – as the pros strutted their stuff without a flicker of misplaced emotion. 

The second half was a hoot – as Manger blew the roof off with a brilliant reprise of their prize winning SIDDIS entertainment programme. It was sensational.

It provided a fitting climax to a wonderful festival.
 
Iwan Fox



Regent Hall Concerts - RAM Trumpet Ensembles

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 14 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Contest: Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships

Saturday 15 March • Bedworth Civic Hall, High Street CV12 8NF


Contest: Welsh Regional Championships

Saturday 15 March • Brangwn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE


The Marple Band

March 13 • Cornet ( positions negotiable),baritone and kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Rushden Town Band

March 12 • Back Row Cornet - due to a change in job, the band has a vacancy for a back row cornet. The band has a lovely atmosphere, and has regular jobs throughout the year as well as taking part in at least two contests.


Rushden Town Band

March 12 • 2nd Trombone - due to work relocation of previous player. A fun loving band who have many regular jobs throughout the year as well as competing in at least two contests each year.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

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