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2012 Brass in Concert Championship — Five things we got to know

Five things we got to know from Brass in Concert at The Sage Gatehead on the weekend.

Harper

1. Philip Harper has stamped his long term identity mark on Cory

When Dr Robert Childs left Cory earlier this year there were some critics who felt the new MD would do well to last longer in the job than the new Chelsea manager.

However, after two impressive performances at the British Open and National Finals, the first piece of major silverware has been secured – and in the most impressive fashion.  

Now you won’t be hearing the dreaded vote of confidence coming out of the Rhondda any time soon.


Trophies

2. The new percentage game

It took a little getting used to – but the transparency engineered by a much more robust marking system gave the audience – and more importantly the bands, something they could fully understand and appreciate.

The illusion of a 27 point victory margin for Cory still didn’t hide the fact that they were placed first by three of the four independent judges.

It was also a testament to their musical excellence and the intelligent approach of their MD that they worked out the importance of the new percentage game weighted in favour of musical content.


Brighouse

3. Percussion features remain an acquired taste

As much as audiences admire the fun and games of the exotic ‘shed builders’, percussion features are still an acquired taste at brass band entertainment contests.

There was some wonderful playing on show – but rattling off a million notes on a xylophone, accompanied by a bass drum and a few vocal chants can still leave you yearning for a decent bit of slow melody cornet playing.


Carlton Main

4. Are all the new arrangements fully legit?

As much as we would like to think that all the new arrangements that appear at the event are innovative and captivating, does anyone really know if they are all totally legit?

Getting permission for a ‘one-off’ performance seems the best some bands can do in the circumstances, so could the organisers insist that in future they come with the publisher’s agreement that they can be played after the contest as well?


Reg Vardy

5.  The demise of slapstick humour

Say it quietly, but we may well have seen the last of awful slapstick humour at Brass in Concert.

Just the odd bad memory of times past this year, but also a few indications that a more mature musical intellect is appearing in the programmes of the best bands.



Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band

July 13 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a SECOND HORN. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

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