Comments ~ 2005: April

Wales and the European; Eden or Elgar; 1000 series views and having a larf! Lots more as we head for the Europeans.

What is happening in Wales?

What is happening in Wales? I read with amazement the latest news items and I am left open mouthed at the stupidity of the Welsh Regional Council in announcing their intentions so close to the event in Groningen.

Are they deliberately trying to undermine BAYV's chances by making such a statement?  Whatever their intentions, they should have used a bit of common sense and stated what they intended to do after the Groningen contest was over. 

Welsh organisation has always been pretty awful (remember 1992!) and this proves it again. Good luck to BAYV - you have been ill served by your Association.

Bob Howells
Newport

Hang you heads in shame!

No! No! No! What on earth are the Welsh up to?

When everyone else is trying to maintain democracy and support banding in Europe for the benefit of the bands themselves, Wales comes along and blows it all away with a crass decision.

Who decided this, and were any of the bands in Wales consulted?  This is a disaster for Wales and a terrible decision for European banding. Wales should hang their heads in shame.

Ellen Hughes 

Garden of Eden or Elgar?

Congratulations on the ‘Rumour Mill' on 4BR,which must be sending certain parts of the movement to the nearest anti spy store!

Could it be true that the organisers of the National Championships are really looking to drop a piece by John Pickard for yet another poor brass band arrangement (even if it is a new one) of Edward Elgar?

I have listened to the music of John Pickard for a number of years and his recent series of works for brass band have been excellent – meaningful, intelligent and more than enjoyable.

Lets hope the organisers realise this and make sure that our premier event has a piece of music worthy of the occasion, and not another poor imitation.

John Evans 

Why not belong to a great brass band club

My thanks to David Bishop-Rowe for saying what I wanted to say immediately I read the news of the sell off of the British Band movement into private hands.  My own apathy at not writing immediately perhaps reflects the sorry state of our movement. 
 
Besson had a proper commercial interest in brass bands (we buy their instruments etc.) so that their sponsorship of such prestigious events as the Nationals was of benefit to both parties.  But putting our National contest in the hands of a private limited company, who one presumes can only be in it to make money from this hobby of ours, is to sell ourselves into slavery.

Limited companies are there to make profits, unless they are a registered charity and I don't think Kapitol are a charity.  Perhaps they could let us know what the Directors' emoluments were in the last year.  

As individual bandsmen, we have no say in what the movement does.  As individual bandsmen we do not have just one organisation to give us a collective voice.  What about your own local Association or your Regional committees I hear you say.  When do they ever ask for your opinion? 

It is always via your band and I suspect many never ever get sight of any correspondence from such austere bodies!  If apathy has got those committees into their positions of power then all I can say is I am sorry for I am one of those who has let it happen.  I am in the West of England and if they want some new blood then please send me an invitation as I can no longer stand seeing what is being done to our movement.
 
But why can't we, as individuals, belong to a great Brass Band Club and be proud of it.  The BFBB could be that club but some of those with their little bits of power in the regions don't want to give anything up.  What happens -- your movement is sold from underneath you. Can I suggest the BFBB considers some form of individual membership, with a voice on major constitutional issues, as one would have in a public company, accountable through its management to its members.
 
I attended a contest in Hungerford at the weekend solely for fourth section bands, run by a fourth section band and with £500 to £600 of prize money.  What a joy that was, as everything was organised for the benefit of the bands and bandsmen taking part.  Well done Phoenix Brass! 

We shall have to keep our eyes open for these events as nationally the lower sections are unlikely to receive much benefit in the future because there is too much fighting going on among the those at the top over, who is an English Champion, or a Masters Champion, or a National Champion, or is this really a European Championship, or a World Championship!!!
 
We must get control of our movement otherwise in the end only the elite few will benefit from this whole fiasco.  Listen to Robert Morgan of the BFBB, his vision is inwards towards all the bands in this country, not just the top names.  It is a non profit making organisation which can be used for our mutual benefit if we let it. 

Can we say the same for Kapitol Promotions Limited?  Whoever they are.  Their accounts are fully exempt (a legal term) and tell us nothing about how much they may have made or are about to make from this sort of deal.
 
I am sure our European friends are laughing all the way to their next well run contest, with the knowledge that the so called home of brass bands is in utter chaos.
 
Nigel Morgan (yes I know Robert Morgan but I am no relation, as far as we are aware)!
Gloucester

1000 not so good? 

I read with interest your review of the three different student model cornets that you "road-tested" and was not surprised to see the Besson come out on top.  These are good looking instruments at a remarkably low price but parents should beware before buying.

Many of my students have purchased the Besson in the soft case and this year alone three have had to go back to the retailer because the valve hand finger hook has come off.  Two have also been sent back because the soft case has ripped and one case has the support that holds the case open broken due to the weight of the music in the pouch (three books and some scales!)  All of the instruments are less than twelve months old. 

Built to last?  Not sure about that one any more.  I now recommend the Yamaha to my students instead of the Besson because I have been so disappointed with the quality and durability of the 1000 series.  Anyone else had similar problems?
 
Kristyann Symonds

1000 very good!

Thanks for the interesting article on the three student model cornets. As a parent I have recently purchased a Besson 1000 cornet on the recommendation of the peripatetic teacher in my daughter's school.

We went to our regional contest and I asked for the opinion of a couple of traders, and guess what? They both recommended the most expensive of the three you featured!  I stuck to my guns and went for the Besson that cost me £250.00. It has proved to be a great little instrument and my daughter is enjoying playing it. Thanks for confirming what I felt (being a player for 25 years or more) and giving a very accurate review. Keep up the good work. 

Mrs Helen Peters

Having a larf?

You have to be having a larf? Or, I'll have a pint of what you're hav'in! Or, may I partake of the same mushrooms? Dear me, we have just gone through the Renzi plot, which lets face it, was not he greatest transcription for band, and that was as square as they come!

Has someone come up with this because there is a tenor tuba (euph or bari) solo in the first movement which qualifies an arrangement! The score and its vast soundscape (1st movement) are too vast to be captured in any brass band arrangement. The popular name for the 7th is "The Song Of The Night" in E minor, it is hardly played or recorded because of the vast size of the band, it's notorious difficulty, and a great lack of conductors to take it on, Solti, Tilson-Thomas, Rattle, Bernstein are among a handful to make a good job of it.

Tis madness, if the 7th turns up, I'll start an arrangement of Havergal Brian's Symphony No 2!

Phil Lawrence

Disaster looms

The decision that Besson has now taken is one that will have a great effect on the brass band movement in this country. Profit has now become the be all and end all it seems and the interests of the bands themselves have become secondary.

Why they have chosen to do this is beyond me, but it seems that the ‘Ibstock Affair' surely made up their minds. That was a disaster for the movement and showed us all in a poor light. Besson looked at it and must have thought that it was no longer worth their effort to be involved.

They have taken the easy way out, and the result will be a disaster for us all.

Robert Price
Bristol

Could this be the end?

I have just read the news that Besson have 'sold the rules' with some trepidation. Has the movement gone mad or are we experiencing the inevitable results of a lack of voice, cohesion and management run by the organisation itself.

I may be wrong here but does that mean if a 'commercial' company sees profit in a rule change or decision then they can act without consultation. (Believe me it has happened in the past didn't we have a ruling many years ago about Eb style French horns?) We could be at the watershed for bands and the paths open to us all range from sub-servitude to chaos.
 
We can, as so often we have done in the past, simply put up with the changes moan if it affects us at any time and not bother if it doesn't. An option could be for an 'alternative nationals' similar to that in boxing  (the WBO WOB etc.) This in turn could lead to several alternative competitions.

Otherwise we could have differing area contests being run with differing rules (like some are today according to 4barsrest report on the BFBB).
 
The litigation, (Midlands Area 2005 as an example) distrust and confusion that could follow would totally destroy the movement, as we know it. The title champion band of course would have little meaning and significance.
 
So having 'doomed and gloomed' what is the answer? It is time to have a national body that has the mandate to speak for Brass Bands the right to contest should be through this organisation. Look at other comparable movements they control the sport or activity. They are elected not thrust upon us.

They have control of entry to the organisation and have the powers to act when the interests of the movement are threatened. With out one clear voice the power and involvement of bands will be gradually reduced. We have to put aside the differences and focus on the commonality that can move
this brass band fraternity forward.

David Bishop-Rowe
Headteacher
Sutton School

Why the concern?

I have read the decision of Besson Musical Instruments to end their association with the BFBB over the Rules for the National Championships with interest.

Why the concern? This was a sensible and altogether proper way to ensure that the Nationals are now run and managed by the company who will take all the risks in putting on poorly supported Regional events and the Nationals.

The Rules – Pontins, Butlins, the British Open, the European, all have their own, so why not the Nationals?

The effect will be negligible. No big deal.

Kevin Wharton
Staffordshire

BFBB blew their chances

So Kapitol Promotions will now run the Nationals and decide upon its rules. Thank goodness!

For far too long we have had to endure the awful running of the events by the BFBB (remember Torquay anyone?) and their poor organisation. They have taken over two years to get themselves a new Development Officer for heaven's sake!

They had their chance and blew it – plenty of talking and no action. Just read what Robert Morgan bleated out in his remarks at the recent BFBB AGM.

Good luck to Kapitol. As for the BFBB – you only have yourselves to blame.

Mrs Kay White
Newquay 

Death of Robert Farnon

The news that Robert Farnon has died is sad news indeed for those who have enjoyed his special brand of music over the years. I was fortunate enough to listen to his ‘Sailor's Life' when it was played at the Royal Albert Hall in 1975, and it has remained a firm brass band favourite of mine ever since.

In these days when bands go for ever bigger and louder showpiece test pieces, this was a superbly crafted work that highlighted all that was good about brass playing. Wouldn't it be a nice idea if it were to be used as a Regional test piece next year as a tribute to a great composer?

Anthony Wilson
Cambridge

Moles at the English Championships

The 4BR moles seem to have very perceptive noses don't they? The rumour that the adjudication at the English Championships next year will incorporate recorded help has proved to be true, as I understand the bands have now been informed that this will now take place.

It seems like a very good idea – the judges can listen again to those performances that they feel should be reappraised and will therefore surely be a help in placing the bands in the right order from first to last. It could also mean that ‘rogue' decisions could also be a thing of the past, so well done the organisers!

Ian Fellows
Preston

Here is a musician's reply to just critisims...

4BR reported that John James was at the BFBB AGM and reports on what proved to be a tension filled meeting as Chairman Robert Morgan took the gloves off in his annual report and had a eloquent bash at a few sacred cows of the movement.

This what is reported Robert Morgan had to say:

And now a look forward to the future:- I make no apology in repeating that the time has come for our top bands to give some young players back to the movement. They can no longer "cherry pick" the best young players from other bands and not train young people themselves to play brass instruments. So a challenge to our elite bands – how about starting a youth academy in the next 12 months? Okay it will cost some money and need some serious commitment, but the band movement will benefit – let's see who's first.
 
Desford Colliery Band has run an Academy for the last 2 years!!!!!!! Maybe we are the first??

Kevin Steward
(Director of Music. Desford Academy)

4BR makes it Germany

I was interested to find how to activate the news feed for our website, and have at last found the time to put it in. You can find us at http://www.cologne-concert-brass.net

Like the band itself (formed in 1997), our website is still really very much "work in progress". With the link to the wider brass band world, this is hopefully a good way to get our visitors to appreciate that there are others out there like us. The brass band movement is still very small in Germany but you may be interested to hear that in October this year, there is the first (semi) official Brass Band Event in Germany.

We are lead to believe - indeed trying and daring to believe - that YBS will be in attendance (at least it is on their website so the rumours may be true). In July, we shall be taking part at the WMC in Kerkrade.

Many congratulations on a really excellent site, and best regards

Martyn Bennett
Webmaster
Cologne Concert Brass

A banding family

Saw the article about wanting info on banding families. All my family have been involved in bands. At present my wife and myself and youngest son play in the Horsham Borough Band but over the last 20 years my other 3 daughters and eldest son have been playing as well. See my website if you are interested which is www.thelevettfamily.co.uk where there are photos of us. The Levett family all members of Horsham Borough Band in 1989

Michael and Christine Levett

Forget the technology - just pick the right bands

So the organisers of the 2006 English Championships are thinking of trying something new with their adjudication process are they? (The Rumour Mill 18th April)

Before they think about that, what about them trying to explain why they picked the bands for an event that is over 12 months away, from the winners of this year's regionals, and the bands who are highest in the rankings? It doesn't make much sense does it, especially as it doesn't take into account the possibility of other bands winning the British Open or National Championships or even the Masters in Cambridge.

I know there must be some forward planning, but this seems to be so badly thought out.

Nigel King
Somerset   

Cynical or what?
 
Am I being cynical, but won't the idea of using a over long process of deciding the winners of the English Championship contest (The Rumour Mill 18th April) , just mean that the result will be delayed so long that they won't be announced until the proposed Gala Concert later that night?

Won't that mean that everyone (including the players) will have to buy a new ticket to get in and find out where they came? One wonders if this is just a ploy to squeeze more money out of the bands and players – or am I wrong?

Howard P. Davies
Middlesborough

Blaze Away!

Thanks you for the CD review on Richard Marshall's new CD 'Blaze'. I purchased this a few weeks ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Richard is a superb player on both trumpet and cornet, and it was nice to read a review that fully took this into account as well as making critical remarks about the repertoire.

He is certainly the next icon player of the cornet and it was a pleasure to see this recognised in the review.

Andy Pennington
London SW1 

Fancy a banding holiday in Malta - its growing it seems!

Congratulations for the interesting site you have.
 
I have read about your site on the Sunday Newspaper (Sunday Times of Malta - 17 April 2005) and decided to visit. I can say it was a very good decision I made!!!
 
I am Alfred Galea, coming from the village of Mqabba, Malta. Our village is situated at the South region of the island (just a couple of miles away from Luqa International Airport - One airport runway even starts from Mqabba!!!)
 
I have read on your site about the Mellieha International Bands Festival. Being a euphonium player with our local band, the King George V Band of Mqabba, I am always interested in such events. In fact I attended for 2004 & 2005 Festivals in Mellieha. This year I also happened to be in Valletta and listened to a concert by a UK band in Piazza Regina.
 
I have read the article on your site about the Mellieha Festival. You said it is something new and something different every Wind or Brass Band in the world must experience. I agree with that and I would like to send my congratulations to the organizers of the Mellieha Festival.
 
However, please let me suggest something in addition to all those that might be interested.
 
During Summer in Malta, practically during every week there are village festas organized, in almost every town and village of Malta and Gozo. And almost all of the bands in Malta are tied with the Festa of their own town or village. In our village Mqabba we organize our Festa ('Feast' in Maltese !!) every year between the 9 and 15 August. I am sure that during your visit to Malta you have been told something about this Maltese festive tradition.
 
So, while still inviting Bands to visit our Malta during Easter time for the Mellieha Festival, we wish to offer another invitation for the Summer Season.
 
We at Mqabba can offer this Summer Festive experience. This year for example we will have the Bedford Town Band from the UK, which is coming to Malta on the 11th August 2005 to live this experience with us. Obviously we can't afford to have such a great number of bands as Mellieha can do during Easter time. Our village Festa is more from only a Festival for Bands. There are other traditional events taking place such as Religious celebrations and processions, Street Decorations, Maltese Bands marching and doing concerts, Fireworks, people having fun, and more. So you can understand why we can't afford finding time for more than one band every year.
 
I can say that this is not the first year we will have a foreign band participating during our Festa. We hosted foreign Bands during the years 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001. Following some years without having foreign bands, this year we will be having another one coming to Malta for our Festa.
 
However it's my if wish we could start having an international band's participation during our village festa on a regular basis for the years to come, starting from the year 2006. So, I have thought of asking your help so that it would be easier for us to find bands interested in our proposals.
 
As with the Mellieha Festival, the band that will decide to come over in August for our Festa, will be asked to pay for flight and accommodation. However we will help from our side by paying the transport and organizing a dinner for the band when they come to play in Mqabba. We will also arrange a couple of concerts at some other Maltese locality. And for the latter the transport and some refreshments/snacks will also be offered.
 
More information about us and about our village feast can be found on internet: www.santamarija.com
 
Hope all this will be of interest to you. Thanks for your attention. Best Regards from the sunny island of Malta.
 
Alfred Galea
Society of Saint Mary and King George V Band,
Mqabba, Malta.

A new idea on the question of adjudication?

Regarding the adjudication debate - I've had this unique idea and I really must tell you about it….
 
First - we get a load of brass bands, and we invite them to play the same piece of music and, we find someone to sit and listen to decide who is the best! - And here's the really clever bit – which ever band that person thinks played the best – Wins!
 
Then, we make sure that all the hundreds of people actually understand that this is what is going to happen! (Ha! Clever or wot!?)
 
And of course – if somebody doesn't agree, the really wonderful thing is that they are perfectly entitled to reduce their own stress by doing something else instead – like Ultra-Golf or Sonic-Cricket or whatever the fashion - or indeed, writing to 4barsrest.
 
And here's the rub –
 
After a few years, we look back at the comments on 4barsrest from yesteryear and see how well the band's they defended against poor judgment are now doing!
 
Hey – don't laugh, It may catch on - we could call it... err... err.... I know, Brass Band Contesting!
 
K. Wardle
Edwinstowe

Percussionists - not shed builders!

I recently attended a concert by a well known top brass band. It became fairly obvious, to me at any rate, that the percussionists in this band lacked some of the expertise of the rest of the band.

This is a lack of "style. I am horrified to hear percussionists playing rimshots to finish off rolls, which typically come at the end of a piece of music. Percussionists also lack the ability to resist the urge to put in "fills" all over the place. This practice of fitting in "fills" all over the place interrupts the rhythmic flow of the music and typically clutters up the music and unfortunately pulls the attention away from the solo/melodic part playing.

Percussionists need to learn a feel for style and not merely join a brass band because they can't find a rock band to play with. Real percussion playing is about tasteful playing that supports the rest of the band, not competes with it. If a percussionist for example is playing a solo/feature, try doing some research into the style required to play that feature and stick to it.

The band I recently heard played a drum feature from the 20's and the percussionist played it in a style of the present day.....didn't really work for me as this feature is so well known and "set in stone".

Also, If you need more than one triangle or suspended cymbal for a concert then get more, don't move stuff around on stage during a concert as it looks very unprofessional and attracts the eye of the audience and stops your solo cornet player getting the attention he deserves whilst playing a solo!!

Learn to play the Latin American percussion. Nothing sticks out more than a bongo player who can't play the bongos!! Tasteful, thoughtful, sensitive percussion playing will make you look like a great percussionist and not as a shed builder.
 
Stephen Vaughan
Dorset

Are the open judges fair?

I attended the National Youth Championships for the first time this year and was amazed to hear each band being introduced to the audience, and the adjudicators sitting within the audience, in full view of the band!  Is this fair?

I was also amazed at the "entertainment" that some bands displayed.  Is this now an entertainment contest like Blackpool?

On a positive note some excellent bands took part and were well deserved winners on the day and I congratulate those bands.  I would also like to thank 4bars rest for their coverage.

B. Roberts 

Sour sound from Mr McCann

Well done 4BR on pointing out the remarks made by the adjudicator Philip McCann at the recent National Youth Band Championships.

Why didn't he a single good thing to say either about the playing or especially the test piece that was used. He may not have thought a great deal about either, but the way in which he voiced his opinion was surly and as you said, sour.

A great player not always makes a great adjudicator – and this was certainly shown as the case with Mr McCann. It was a real disappointment.

Margaret Parsons
Glasgow

Rumours, Rumours, Rumours

Great idea about the ‘Rumour Mill' on 4BR – about time we had a little bit of the ‘hidden' gossip that does the rounds in the banding world.

The question is though – will you put up something that is too close to the truth, or will you shy away. Nothing too salacious, but something that may well prick the bubble of over confidence and inflated ego's of some of our top conductors for instance?

Peter Collins
Measteg

Dig the dirt!

Come, come 4BR – is that the best you can do in the ‘Rumour Mill'?

Dyke not going to the English Championships, something about bottles of water and a way out bit of nonsense on the British Open? 

Lets get down and dig the real dirt!!  Surely there is plenty out there in the brass band world, as the Championship Section seems to be a hive of under the counter payments and inducements, dodgy practice and unethical goings on!

Chris Simons
Ipswich

Gracie Cole

Many thanks for printing the lovely article about Gracie Cole on 4BR this week. I for one remember her very well, and her playing was tremendous, both on cornet and trumpet.

The Ivy Benson Band were great entertainers – all girls as well but they were also great players and I listened to them with my girlfriend (who became my wife) throughout the 1940's, 1950's and even into the 1960's.

We lost touch of them after a while as pop music seem to be more popular, but it was lovely to hear once more that the band had continued on for many more years.

I understand that Gracie is not in the best of health now, and we wish her all the very best of love and God's good grace in the future. She brought a great deal of happiness to a great number of people.

Mr and Mrs Harold King
Manchester

More of the same next year?

Nice to see 4BR finally giving the National Youth Brass Band Championships the coverage it deserved this year.

I am sure your correspondents enjoyed themselves – it was a great atmosphere and there was none of the back biting that you get with the top bands.

Can we expect more next year?

Gillian Morgan
Huddersfield

A conductor offers congratulations

As conductor of Lions Youth Brass who came second at Manchester in The Community Section, I would like to say what a great day this was for brass bands for the future. I listened to a number of bands in our section, and the standard was the best I have ever known it. Also, the great sportsmanship between rival bands was top draw.

The only disappointment for me was that a lot of people were stood outside at the results, including myself and Byran Hurdley, and a lot of Mount Charles players because they could not get in, as the hall was full.

Congratulations to Mount Charles, very worthy winners.

Nigel Birch
Lions Youth Brass
Musical Director

The reason why we sat down

Very good article on last week (ref: National Youth Brass Band Championships and the performance of Abraham Darby School in the Schools Section) – just thought in connection with your comments re the below.

The cornet section was due to stand whilst playing Mexican Holiday but Nerys Cook (Principal Cornet) reported that she felt a little queasy and probably would be unable to stand throughout – hence the very last second decision for them to sit down. Hope you don't mind me mentioning it.
 
They opened up with ‘Mexican Holiday' sitting down, having strangely had players standing either side of the band beforehand, before giving a fine account of ‘Music For Greenwich'.
 
Many thanks again for the coverage
 
Andrew Roberts

Adjudication - Why not get the audience deciding the winners?

I have read with interest the debate on adjudication. Playing for Reg Vardy we are very happy with the current system as you might expect with our recent successes.

Here's an idea for further debate. Why not allow the audience to decide a result? Technology allows TV studio audiences to vote for different things why not a brass audience. It would certainly ensure full auditoriums, each band in the contest could be allocated so many tickets, the organisers could give free tickets to ‘respected' Brass band judges and of course the general public could vote. Why not let the people have their say even just as an experiment to see if the popular opinion matches that of our adjudicators?
 
Dave Long 
Reg Vardy Band

The adjudication debate
 
Thank you for the 3 very interesting articles concerning adjudication.

For me, two sentences from Trevor Walmsley sum it all up:

An adjudicator is not God or Pope.  Most aspects of music criticism or appreciation are not matters or fact, but matters of opinion, so no adjudicator can do other than express opinion.

If, at the end of the day, competitors are not prepared to accept the decision with good grace, however much they might disagree, they should not be competing.

I would also quite a third comment from Trevor which is still relevant nearly 20 years later: There is a scarcity of experienced adjudicators.  It is difficult, especially at major contests to find adjudicators of the standard of experience required, because most of them are competing.  We therefore need to encourage people to take up this thankless task.

And address it to all the armchair critics who were so vociferous in recent letters to 4barsrest following the 2005 Regional finals. If you think can you do a better of adjudicating (and most of you obviously do) then take the appropriate examinations, pass them, get yourself in the adjudicators box and let's see how you fare.

Perhaps 4barsrest could get a list of institutions (e.g. University of Salford) that offer this course or some contact details that our future adjudicators can get in touch with. I just wonder how many will? Probably none of them.

Roger Lincoln
Morecambe

4BR Reply:
We will be publishing all the details anyone needs to become a qualified judge when we have articles on the Licenciate in Brass Band Adjudication. Keep your eyes peeled. 

Deps - the Aussies have got it wrong?

In regards to Ernest Lomas' letter re the "dep" players used by certain bands at the recent Australian National Championships, the rules used by these bands are VERY new (i.e: introduced in January, 2005 as far as I know) and confusing not only to yourself but also to me and many of my colleagues. The 3-month residence rule has not changed for permanent members of the band but "dep" players can now come from anywhere. As soon as I can find out what these new rules are specifically, I will let you know.

Personally, I don't think this is the way banding in Australia should head but in another respect, 1 or 2 players don't make a band. I apologise for any confusion.  
 
Mark Fitzpatrick
Hawthorn Band
Australia

Even the Compere was excellent

As a parent of two children who took part in the National Youth Brass Band Championships in Manchester, may I say what a pleasure it was to go to an event such as this.

It seemed to be very well organised and run, the compere's were excellent and entertaining and the bands themselves were something else!

I haven't been to many brass band contests before, but this was a long (it was long) but enjoyable experience, and one that I look forward to again. I now know why my two children enjoy it so much.

Mrs Elaine Peters

Great day out

My wife and I made the long trip north on the weekend to listen to our grandchild playing with one of the bands at the National Youth Championships in the Community Section.

We have been brass band supporters for many years, even though have never played a notes of music in our lives, and I must write to you to say that this was a terrific event that showed once more what a good thing playing in a brass band can be for young children.

The enjoyment of both the players, the conductors and especially the audience was something to cherish. We sat next to some families from a rival band, but their applause for the efforts of all involved was a joy to behold. This was friendly and appreciative rivalry, and at the end of the day with a packed hall the atmosphere was electric!

Well done to the sponsors and organisers for this – and especially well done to the young players and their families – it made it a day out to remember for two slightly older supporters!

Raymond Withington

Unhelpful doormen

Just a quick observation on the National Youth Championships in Manchester. Why were the stewards on the doors to the halls so officious and at times totally unhelpful?

I know they had a job to do, but just because they were dealing with children and parents didn't mean that they had to be at times so rude? To be told - ‘You can't come in," and then not even explain why not, was not what I have come to expect at a contest or concert. Were they just bored or couldn't they be bothered? It was the only downside to what was a great event.

Mr G. Lytton
Sale  

Sour judges

Was it just me, or were the remarks made by Philip McCann concerning the brilliant test piece, ‘Lyonesse' by the talented Simon Dobson at the Youth Championships, sour and a case of damning with faint praise?

Mr McCann in particular seemed to disregard the work – even questioning its historical authenticity, and his sour disdain was more than noticeable. It was petty and rather sad to hear him do this, whilst his other remarks were neither constructive nor contained any encouragement to the young players involved.

It was all rather as if he felt he was above it all.

Peter Parkes on the other hand was accurate and constructive even though he made clear that the standard was not perhaps as good as he had hoped for.

Mr McCann sounded a rather isolated and bitter man living on former glories.

Paul Kingston
Bristol

A Denton in the confidence

I would like to say how shocked and disappointed I was at reading your retrospective of this year's Tameside Contest.

I have always found 4barsrest to be at the least very supportive of new Fourth Section bands entering contests and supporting their local association. After all, there have been some very encouraging remarks made about Fourth Section bands that have come last at this years regional contests.

But having just read your remarks about our performances on Sunday I have drastically changed my mind!!!!!

It was bad enough to be systematically torn apart by Mr Lippeatt on his remarks (after all this was 4th section!!!), but then to have yourselves do the same on your retrospective!!!

For your information, Denton band has only ever done 2 contests and consists of a lot of very young players that need to be encouraged and not assassinated!!! I would doubt that any of them would ever want to contest again after reading the remarks or your web site!!

Clive Fox
M.D. Denton Brass

Bloody cheating!

Last year I wrote a letter complaining that the new Stars of the Brass Band world were unethical for playing at official contests whilst registered with two bands simultaneously.          

I said: - " It has not taken the new Brass Band stars long to learn they can play at a foreign contest, with a foreign band, whilst still being registered with their own English band, they are given an all expense paid holiday to Australia, Europe etc. This makes a complete nonsense of the Brass Band Registry and certainly brings the integrity of contesting into disrepute."

Mark Fitzpatrick. Hawthorn Band, Australia. Took exception to my use of Australia as an example of this practice in the letter printed below:
 
"Mr Ernest Lomas needs to do a bit more research before he registers his comments. If he had checked properly, he would have discovered that it is against the rules of the National Bands League of Australia to use a player at a contest that has not been in the country for at least 3 months. Any attempts to get around this rule have resulted in bands being disqualified from the contest. You may be referring to New Zealand and when it does happen over there it is by no means a holiday. Please in future, when ranting about subjects such as this, do your homework. Also accept that it is a fact that most bands at one time or another will need to use a dep at a contest."

The old rule regarding "Deps" at contest was the previous band provided the player, this system may not be ideal but it worked for many many years.

In the UK this practice of engaging  "Deps" at contests is growing.  In the last 12 months Tormod Flatten of Norway played with the Scottish Coop at the European Championships 2004, Besses borrowed David Thornton & Alex Thomas for the Scottish Championships 2004 and Tormod Flatten is to play with Mount Charles Band in the Grand Shield at Blackpool 2005.

Now Mark, I am sure you can tell me what is happening in the Australian Championships; it is reported in the UK press that Steven Miles of Brighouse is to play  with the Kensington & Norwood Band and Bret Baker of Dyke with the Brisbane Excelsior Band at the Australian National Championships this year.

I am now totally confused with Aus rules after reading your letter stating you have to serve a 3 month residency in the country before anyone is eligible to play unless they are being brought in as a "dep" due to your our own players being ill or unavailable?

In my view this practice undermines the national registry, it is unethical, detrimental to the band and in plain English - bloody cheating.

Ernest Lomas

The Alan Whicker's of the banding world

Many thanks 4BR for your reporting in the past few weeks from New Zealand and Malta.

We tend to think the banding world revolves around the UK and nowhere else, but it has been a pleasure to read your retrospective reports (and the regular up dates from New Zealand in particular).

The banding movement is it seems going strong in other parts of the world – although in the past we were never really informed about it.

It must have been hard work for your correspondents (all that free travel, sun, sand, rugby etc) but someone has to do it. Thankfully, it is 4BR. Long may it continue.

Paul Jones
Brighton

Getting our stars to play solos again

Your recent report from the 125th New Zealand National Championships was very interesting indeed – especially about the solo championships.

You are right about the decline of solo and quartet contests in the UK over the past 25 years or more, as you state in the Editorial for April, and it is perhaps time something can be done to raise the profile of the National Solo Championships once more.

The problem though is the players. Will the top players really want to put themselves on the line anymore in such a way?  All they seem to care about is winning contests with their bands, playing the odd cadenza and not really putting their ‘hard earned' reputations as star players in question under the spotlight of a extended solo spot.

A nice big pot of money would change their mercenary ways I feel. Perhaps then, some of these precious star players will put their so-called ‘talents' on the line. 

Jonathan Hughes
Manchester

Interesting trombone review

Interesting review on 4BR of the Besson 1000 series trombone.

Well done to Mr Pippen for the way in which he took a very even handed look at the instrument, and didn't fall into the trap of just giving it a complete ringing endorsement without exploring its potential.

It is very important for young players to be given quality instruments to play on at a young age – and ones that are designed with them in mind. Too many teachers tell parents to go out and buy the latest top of the range trombone or cornet for their little off spring without really giving it a great deal of thought (or possibly because they may be getting a cut of the sale?).

This was well written, and gave an unbiased review. I for one will now look at the instrument, knowing that it has been appraised properly. 

Trevor Gould 

Keeping it in the family

Mossley Band have many - our Chairman, David Johnson and his daughter Angela (2nd horn), who is now married to Duncan Byers (cornet), mum Joan (librarian), nephew Simon Johnson (cornet) and niece Katie (percussion); Neil Riley (solo euphonium), brother Ian (Eb bass) and his fiancé Nicky Jones (percussion) and mum Lynne (librarian); Louise Evans (cornet), her dad Martyn (conductor) and brother David (percussion) and her fiancé Gavin Sever (trombone); David Coy (flugel) his wife Sarah (cornet) and brother Graham (percussion); David Taylor (Eb bass) and wife Angela (cornet); Steve Hawley (Bb bass) and wife Gillian (Secretary - me writing this e-mail!); Max Pratley (bass trombone) and his fiancé Elaine Burton (horn).
 
How's that for keeping it in the family!!
 
Gill Hawley
Secretary Mossley Band

And if you thought that was impressive...

Hi, here is our family who play in Long Eaton Silver Prize Band, all nine of us! This is us in 2002 just before the nationals.

Sharon Stansfield (conductor) husband Rob (trombone) Sharon's sons James Dennis (principal cornet) and Matthew Dennis (soprano cornet), Sharon's sister in law Elma Ramplin (solo horn), Sharon's Brother Carl, husband of Elma (solo euphonium).

Then there is Melissa Ramplin aged 13, (2nd cornet), Emma Ramplin 12 (2nd baritone) and nine year old George Ramplin (percussion)
 
Carl and Sharon were taught in the band as kids in the early 1970's and Sharon returned and took up the baton in 2000 and then she persuaded her family to join her.
 
There are lots of other family members in the band too: There are the Purnell family, Clive, Sylvia and son Darren, all cornet players. The Grimoldby family, Helen, Chris and sons Jacob and Joe, trombone and percussion. The Hansons Mark, Carol and kids Catherine and David, bass, horn, percussion and euphonium. Steve and Kim Larwood, euphonium and tenor horn
 
Sharon Stansfield (MD)
Long Eaton Prize Band

Looking for that Walmsley Book
 
Some further information on the book  - 'You and Your Band':-
 
This book was published by Printissimo of Bradford which is a Trading Title of Kirklees Music of Brighouse. This title is for print work associated with the Music Industry and was formed in 1982 by David Horsfield of Kirklees.

Trevor Walmsley came to us at the time to publish this little gem and we initially printed 1,000 copies, which are out there in the band movement somewhere.

It was never reprinted but that makes it quite a collector's item. I hope this answers the question from Colin Williams.
 
David W. Horsfield
Kirklees Music, Brighouse

The adjudication debate

Well done 4BR for opening up the debate on adjudication. After some of the results at the Regional Championships there is a need for an intelligent debate on this matter.

The obvious conclusion from the Regional Championships is that we have a number of very good judges to call upon, but nowhere near enough, and as the dates of the Championships were lumped together this was shown in a couple of areas where the standard was not up to the level we have come to expect.

It isn't that we have not got good quality judges - more that we haven't got enough.

Paul Jennings
Birmingham.

Looking for that book

Does anyone know if 'You and your Band' is still available?
 
Colin.P.Williams  
Bournemouth Concert Brass

4BR Reply:
We don't think it is still in print Colin, but if you ask at your local library they may be able to get it for you, or even the BFBB supported Archives may be able to help.  All we know it was printed in 1986 by Printissimo of Law Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford and was written by Trevor Walmsley and with a foreword from Harry Mortimer. It is a great little read.  

Where does 4BR get off?

Could there be any topic that you don't take a negative view on? Now it is adjudication. For people who supposedly have a love for the movement, you do a fine job of being an advocate for all that is wrong with it!

Mr H.J. Collins 

An apology: We were 2nd not 1st!

I would be grateful if you could publish the following apology on behalf of Garforth Community Brass Band to Gawthorpe Brass for erroneous Statements made in the above mentioned article written in the British Bandsman published on the 2nd April 2005.
 
The Band, Supporters and Conductor Mr Stephen Bailey acknowledge that Gawthorpe Brass are the Fourth Section Champions Of Yorkshire and not Garforth Community Brass as Stated in the Article. We regret any remarks published on the bands behalf in the aforementioned article reported by Ron Massey.
          
We accept the best band on the day won the contest at Bradford and look forward to the forthcoming challenge at Harrogate when together with our opponents we will be united to uphold the pride honour and tradition of Yorkshire Banding.                                                               
                                                                         
Tony Bell 

The Soprano shall sound

In relation to James Cooper of Bournemouth's letter regarding soprano sounds and the way they should be heard, I believe the sound should be that of a soprano cornet after all that is what it is! There is an ability (or should that be inability) at the moment for soprano cornets to sometimes sound like piccolo trumpets.

Whilst I enjoy listening to the higher notes at the end of a big piece, "hanging - on" to prove a point and the crudeness with which some play, can make a good band sound bad.

 Like the organ, both bottom and top should be, in my opinion, felt rather than thrown in ones face. It's as if one is aware of the sound but it does not stick out like a sore thumb.

 Many people believe they can play soprano but actually not many have the skills to just add that little sparkle to the bands overall sound. A couple of quotes to leave: " many are called but few are chosen" - "blend - that most elusive of qualities". The last comment says it all really.

Nicholas Garman
St. Albans

Not quite in agreement in the West

Having just read Mr Edward Allen's item regarding the West of England regional contest I do agree with him about the strength of feeling surrounding this particular event.  Feelings are certainly running very high either one way or the other.
 
However I cannot agree with his statement that " literally no-one in the audience picked out the two qualifiers" with regards to the Championship Section.

I have had quite a few people comment to me, and have heard of comments made to others that they thought Bournemouth's performance was one of the best of the day. I must say however, I was not in the audience to hear it. As I am the secretary for St Austell Band, obviously my views on our performance will be biased but I have received favourable comments from many people, some well know names within banding in the South West and also from members/supporters of other Championship bands within Cornwall. More than a few saying they had both St Austell and Bournemouth in the top end.
 
I am a little confused.  Could Mr Allen clarify what he meant by "No, the fault is with the organisers who persist in selecting of the bands either"?
 
We were a little disappointed with the coverage of the results on 4BR but this was an incredibly busy weekend of contesting and you did your best I'm sure.  We were also disappointed, as I am sure Bournemouth were that there was no photographer present to record these "scandalous" events.  But hey, that's life!
 
4BR is the first port of call for many when it comes to contest results and band news so keep up the good work.
 
Lets try and put this regional contest behind us now.  We all have good and bad results.  We all think we were "robbed" at one time or another. Whether you come first or last the one thing we do all have in common is the incredible amount of time and hard work all bands put into contests.
 
Good luck to all who qualified for the finals, especially St Keverne in the 2nd section.
 
We always have next year to look forward to !
 
Ann McKnight
Secretary St Austell Bands. 

That's Contesting...

I read, with interest, the comments made by Edward Allen about the result of the West of England Contest. For someone who hasn't got anything for or against any of the bands that played he certainly has a lot to say on the matter (not just on the 4BR comments page but on other forums too.)

In answer to his question, I am aware of two people, supporters of one of the other bands, who left before the results because in their opinion, it was obvious that Bournemouth had won. I know that two people don't necessarily reflect a majority opinion but it does rather make nonsense of the comment "Surely we should not have a man in the box who holds such a minority view that absolutely no-one agrees with him?"

It strikes me that, had you asked for an opinion from everybody in the hall, the chances are that you would have found a spread of opinion to suggest that all 12 bands should have won!

Accept the fact that, on that day and on that piece Nigel Taken and David Loukes got it right, Phil Harper, Roy Newsom et al didn't. That's contesting. I didn't hear Mr Allen griping about the injustice of the system when Bournemouth were relegated from a 5th place in the 2002 regionals on a day when the spread of opinion that I heard in the hall suggested that any of the top 6 bands could have won the contest.

In the bar at Torquay, after the results, one of the first people who I met was an old friend of mine who now plays for Yeovil. Her first words were to congratulate me before telling me that her band had come 10th. The fact that she had sought me out to congratulate me, despite her obvious disappointment spoke volumes about the spirit of friendly rivalry that, for me, contesting should be all about.

Anyway, I've got to get myself to the music shop to buy a Bavarian Accordion tutor........

Joel Heys
Bournemouth Concert Brass

Don't blame the judges, blame the test piece

Since the West of England Regionals Championship section took place, I have been reading the many comments left on 4barsrest about the controversial results. Every comment seems to just blame the adjudicator, which I agree, but I think that some of the blame should also be with the people who chose the piece Rienzi.

This piece, in my view did not have enough material to test the bands in this section and the arrangement was also very poor. The standard of championship section bands has increasingly improved over the years especially in the West of England and like many regions there is a mixture of standards in this section. With a piece like Rienzi all the bands will put on a performance where as if it was a piece like St. Magnus or Masquerade, then the adjudicators would have more chance of getting the best band on that day to win because there is more detail in the score to assess and for the players to get there teeth into.
 
There should ALWAYS be more than one adjudicator in the box at whatever contest because one mans opinion is just not good enough. If the piece was being judged on what was on the score then that would be different, but it never is because most championship bands try and do something slightly different than everyone else to what's on the score to make a mark. It's always the adjudicator's personal choice.
 
In a nutshell, the piece chosen needs to reflect the standard in that section. There should always be more than one adjudicator in the box, and whatever the results are, no bad feelings should be given by the loosing bands to the qualifying bands. Not everyone can win all the time!!!!!!
 
Anyway I think enough has been said now as it's getting tedious reading the same comments all the time.
 
Well done to Bournemouth and St Austell for qualifying and good luck.

Kevin Mackenzie 
Cornwall

Finding the Shillingbury Blowers

John Calder can find a region 2 (England) DVD of the Shillingbury Blowers on Ebay, but will need to buy a multi-region DVD player to watch it.

The Shillingbury Blowers was the pilot for an English TV series 'The Shillingbury Tales'. I've been looking for this a long time, too.

Jim Calm

More recognition for Kate Eggleshaw.
 
Young Carlton Main Solo Horn Kate Eggleshaw was appointed as Principal Solo Horn this week of the NYBB. This further enhances her reputation as one of the best young players around and congratulations go out to her from Brian Grant and the Band at Carlton Main. Well done Kate.    
 
Nigel Dixon.

Barbershop Quartets

In reply to the letter from Mike Hughes about the contesting setup for Barbershop contests, as a barbershopper myself, he is quite right in 'singing' the praises of the barbershop movement when it comes to organisation of contests and the quality of the judging panel. 

In my barbershop organisation, for the Regional equivalent contest, we have 4 judges each dedicated to their own specialist category and for the Finals we have 8 judges - 2 per category! 

However, all these judges/adjudicators come at a price.  The membership fees for a barbershop chorus, I would say in the majority of cases, is far more than subs for any brass band.  There is a fee per singer for the regional body and then a fee per singer for the main governing body - in my organisation this equates to approx £80 per member; on top of this is the entrance fee to the contest itself which is approx. £30 per singer that is competing.  Oh and by the way there is no prize money.  What do we get for our money - good venues for competition, consistent judging levels and a very well run organisation + a whole host of other things.
 
What do we get in the banding movement - the best that the available money can buy! It's time to realize that 'the something for nothing' days are gone and that everything has it's price. If we are to aspire to what happens in the barbershop movement then someone ie. bandsmen/women,  are going to have to dig into their pockets and help pay for it; unfortunately from the moans and groans that go on about having to pay £4 for a ticket to listen to a different section I can't see this happening soon . . . . . . .
 
Alison Hill 

Scott of Stevenage, and Read the Magnificent

I would like to thank Dave Scott for his kind comments about our surprising result (Wantage Silver) at Stevenage; it made all the hard work worth it.

We were all so chuffed with the result, and are looking forward to the Finals. We'll do our best!!! Well done to Staines and Clacton, we'll see you there.
 
And a BIG Thank You to Mr David Read, what a man!!!!
 
Katy Hudson
Wantage Silver

A case of 'Sour Grapes'?

Thank you 4BR - until we had you we had to suffer the injustices of our movement in silence. Now we can whinge, moan, gripe AND pay the odd compliment or two. I would, if I may, like to give my considered opinion on the recent statements made in your 'comments' section.

Sour Grapes - of course it's Sour Grapes (I never thought otherwise) but at least 4BR allows us to 'sound off' in the hope that someone somewhere actually takes notice.

Phil Adams-Howell makes a very fair point when he said that he found nothing to moan about at the L & SC 'area'. I had to endure...sorry enjoy both the Midlands (as a player) and the L & SC as a spectator. The 2 areas were poles apart (not least the VASTLY superior venue of the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage over the woefully inadequate Burton Town Hall).

The standard of adjudication at Stevenage was very high. In particular Malcolm Brownbill's post match speech (3rd section) was helpful and made many references to the score (clearly he had done his homework). Whereas John Berryman's was flustered and he, obviously, couldn't get out of the hall quick enough - did HE do his homework I wonder. To adjudicators I say - PLEASE, we sacrifice a lot to rehearse and compete in a contest, yes it is because we WANT to but give us a full and complete adjudication to make us feel it's worth it.

I have given some thought to our present system of adjudication and the following are some of my ideas to make it 'fair':

1. 2 adjudicators would be good for a balanced view.

2. A directive to adjudicators and bands indicating what is being looked for and the way certain parts are to be played in a piece. Making it quite clear that if a band doesn't play as required it will be penalised. After all you don't enter a grade exam without knowing how you are expected to play. Although I accept a contest performance isn't about a pass or fail and a test-piece is exactly that and designed to separate the good from the bad.

3. I suggest that a performance be marked out of 100. 40 marks for tuning/intonation, 40 marks for accuracy of playing (rhythm/tempo) and a mark out of 20 for overall performance (thereby taking into account an MD's interpretation - otherwise they get away scot free!). Each performance would be judged on it's own merit and eliminate the giving of points to justify the place.

Finally (sighs of relief all round - me included!), I must take issue with the 'we left the winning performance in the band room' doctrine. This phrase is often used by bands to justify (for whatever reason) a poor performance on stage. Lyn Morgan (a very experinced conductor and adjudicator) used to say that if you can do it once, you can do it again so be confident.

Julia Crask.

It would be a dull old world...

Thank-you to my old mate Keith Wardle for saying what most of us were thinking,he is spot on with his comments.

It's a great site, I don't always agree with what you write but the world would be a dull place if we all thought the same.

Adjudication and results will be debated forever, but as in any sport there will be be winners, losers and controversy, as the old saying goes "if you can't stand the heat....etc". At the end of the day this is our hobby, we do it because we like it, we enjoy making music and competing. If I get to the stage where I don't like it I'll take up golf.

If you don't want to lose don't contest. If you don't want to hear why experienced musicians thought you did not deserve to win, don't contest. If you think that everyone will view your bands performance in the same way you did, get a life!

I have been contesting for many years, I have enjoyed the highs of winning the Nationals [3rd section, Blidworth Colliery, 1990], I have also suffered a lot of last places and relegations, but that's how it is, debate it over a pint by all means but then get over it, after all we all have to go to work on Monday.

Keith Buxton
Mansfield Woodhouse,
Notts,

April Fool and Spaghetti Trees

Well done for your entertaining and revealing exclusive outlining the new National Finals test piece ‘The Treaty of Rome'. Given the general reception of ‘Prague' by the banding public in 2003, one can see that this composition will be hailed with similar acclaim; in celebration of this work, maybe the RAH catering outlets could serve spaghetti … you know, the same spaghetti that is grown on those trees, as revealed to us in another journalistic exclusive some years ago!  
 
Nice one.
 
David Elliott Smith.
The Egham Band

An interesting work indeed! 

Ha Ha - excellent April Fool.  I was reading the article with great interest, but when I got to the fourth paragraph I started to feel uneasy; the fifth paragraph had me starting to work out how long it would take all the bands in the final to play this test piece.  Realisation hit when I looked up at the date of the article - 1st April!  Interesting concept though!

Val Hughes
Rhyl

And what about the bagpipes?

Very good April Fool ! I'll be looking forward to hearing the principal bagpipe's solo !!
 
Ian Wilson

4BR Reply:
Sorry Ian, we should have really made sure there was a part for the bagpipes of 'Independent' Scotland.

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