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Take 5
A quintet of things to note from the 2017 UniBrass Championships.

Steve Jack looks back at the 2017 UniBrass Championships in Harrogate and finds plenty of things that brought a smile to the face.

Take 5

1. A model organisation

UniBrass Chairman Andy Straiton must be a very proud guy. He and the rest of the red & blue t-shirted volunteers and organising committee members worked their university scarves off to produce this fantastic event.

And even when things did go a little awry, such as tickets not being printed, there was always someone who came up with a solution (the benefit of having clever IT undergraduates on hand)

The organisation is a model for any would-be, or current, contest promoters4BR

The organisation is a model for any would-be, or current, contest promoters: The chairperson who holds office for a year/two years gives fresh impetus and ideas, and the sense of entrepreneurial adventure that sees the contest rotated around the country is something other events could do no worse than copying. 

Student plagiarism isn’t that bad a thing in those circumstances.


Stepping up

2. Rival support

Last year we had Birmingham Conservatoire waiting for its coach, until some bright spark realised they hadn’t actually booked one - and this year we had Southampton suffering a potential ‘diesel disaster’. 

Setting off, the driver noticed his fuel tank was rapidly emptying its contents and discovered that it had been spilling out onto the motorway. The delay for repairs meant the band was going to miss their allocated time slot, so without a hint of schadenfreude up stepped Huddersfield University (above) and swapped places - no fuss, no disputes no complaints.

Would that happen with such grace at other contests?


Trophies

3. No prize money

With overheads and associated costs to cover there is no prize money on offer at the UniBrass Championships - and nobody seems bothered.  

No one from the committee, helpers or tech team was paid either - so everybody understands and accepts the need for the investment to be made in the contest for it to succeed.

Hopefully it made a profit – but it was great to witness an event where everyone was prepared to put more in than they got out.


tECH TEAM

4. The Tech Team

These unsung heroes deserve a big ‘thumbs-up’ for providing the excellent video streaming and for all the other technical assistance that made the event - and the band’s performances - run so smoothly.

And don’t think it was this country that was watching either, as tweets were coming in from all over the globe - from Australia and Taiwan to Andover and Torquay making new fans and supporters of the event in the process.  

Clever lads and lasses those lot.


Sam

5. Sam is the Man

Sam was the wonderful bass trombone player from Tewitt Youth who found himself plastered across the big screen during their pre-results programme. 

Tewitt are based in Harrogate so were an obvious choice to pass the time while the adjudicators deliberated - and they were excellent.

However, it was Sam Bullamore-Brown, whose face, creased with concentration filled the screen’s at the start of their performance of ‘American Trilogy’ who became the star of the entire weekend.

As the audience cheered, it took some time before Sam realised something was up; before self-awareness and the chance for 10 foot high, multi-media projected stardom beckoned. He was brilliant as the cameras zoomed in and his name was chanted by the ecstatic audience.  A star was born.

He became the ‘face’ of the next generation of UniBrass - and the thunderous applause that greeted him and Tewitt will live long  in the memory banks of all those who enjoyed a great event. 



The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Billingshurst Carnival

Sunday 29 June • Carnival through Billingshurst and concert at Recreation Ground RH14 9SX


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Alder Valley Brass

June 26 • We are looking for BBb bass and soprano cornet players to join our ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (national finalists 2023) with a good blend of concerts, engagements and contests. Rehearsals Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm in Farnham, Surrey.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

June 25 • With a varied upcoming programme of events and following on from our successful "Musicals" concert and first ever trip to Saddleworth for Whit Friday, the band requires an Eb Bass player to join our group.


Alder Valley Brass

June 24 • As a result of a relocation we seek a Musical Director. We are an ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (L&SC, National finalists 2023) with a blend of engagements, concerts and contests. We rehearse 8-10pm on Mondays and Thursdays in Farnham


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

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