Comments ~ 2006: December

A solution to England's cricket problems; Howard Snell's standing; Unwanted Christmas prezzy and much more as we head for the start of another new banding year...

The solution to the English cricket team's problems in Oz
 
Has anyone else noticed that since David King and Russell Gray have been in Australia the Ashes series has taken a sinister turn?
 
The worry is that David's brilliant capacity for winning year after year, freshly on the market as it were, has been put at the disposal of his compatriot, Ricky Ponting.
 
The possibility remains that Duncan Fletcher's secret weapon (surely, he must have something up his sleeve,) is Russell Gray. Being a Scotsman, Russell is not suspected of wanting an England win. He also has a superb talent for winning from unlikely scenarios.
 
The e-mail published today, containing England's bowling tactics against Australian batsmen, made less sense than a badly written contest adjudication. What a shame David Read and Bill Relton didn't become umpires. Their justly celebrated integrity would be much greater than umpires Dar & Koertzen who seem to have ruled out LBW as a means of dismissal for England's bowlerrs. After all, why not blame the judges?
 
Meanwhile, Tony Blair is on holiday in Florida, courtesy of the Bee Gees, obviously to get together with Michael Garasi in the hope he might pick up a few tips from the charismatic and excellent conductor of BBCF. Cricket fans should be glad Blair didn't holiday in Australia - all hope would have been lost in that event.
 
However, Blair could try and learn something from Shane Warne and David King on how to resign graciously with the crowd demanding more - but perhaps that's even further far fetched than an England victory in Melbourne.
 
I believe the solution to England's cricket problems might be to hear the members of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain singing (yes, that's correct, singing) Jerusalem. For me, that was one of the most inspiring musical memories of 2006.
 
Happy New Year to all.
 
Bramwell Tovey
Vancouver, Canada 

Howard Snell's standing

In response to your article celebrating the Career of David King at YBS & rightfully putting him in the same category as your list of conductors with similar standing - Major Peter Parkes, Harry Mortimer and the rest, I was surprised at your oversight (I hope this is what it was) at not including Howard Snell, who has done as much, if not more for modern banding than the gentlemen on your list.

His list of contest victories may not quite chalk up against the likes of M P Parkes (it's still damn impressive though) for example, but his overall achievements are yet to be matched:

1) Building mediocre bands from obscurity to successful, contest winning "top of their game" outfits (Desford Colliery Dowty, Britannia Building Society, Scottish Coop & even Eikanger!)

2) Developing players into world class musicians – Martin Winter, Kevin Dye, Robert Fulcher, Chris Jeans, Nick Hudson, Kirstin Thomas, Tracey Redfearn, Mark Wilkinson, Glynn Williams, Steven Mead – the list goes on..

3) Spearheading the RNCM brass band course – opening up brass bands to fresh new audiences, venues and players

4) Revolutionising brass band concert & entertainment contest repertoire with stunningly imaginative, innovative arrangements & compositions that are still included in 99.9% of brass band concert programmes today!

Whilst I realise Howard may not be the overly dynamic, swashbuckling, zorro-like figure on stage as Mr King (who I agree deserves the recognition for raising so many smiles, for so many reasons, over the years) please do not forget one of the true greats of our movement when making your references and comparisons.

Paul Bennett
Rugby

An unwanted Christmas present

A belated merry Christmas to all at 4BR and best wishes for 2007.

My wife purchased some cd's for me to listen to and Black Dyke happened to be one of the cd's I got. Now I am taking nothing away from Black Dyke as they are an amazing band without doubt, but I have to agree with your 4BR short review on the cd "Greatest Movie Hits Vol.2" - how can Obrasso sell such rubbish and the price of £12.95 or £13.95 whoever you buy it from? 

I personally think that Black Dyke in conjunction with Obrasso should quit while they are ahead and stop the volumes now. We cannot take anymore, especially as mentioned the price increases for what god only knows. The text on the inlay is in Obrasso language, plus there's no mention of band personnel, when & where recorded, dates etc to name but a few !!

Also let me ask why is Black Dyke giving business to Obrasso and not Doyen/World of Brass?

Take for instance 'Lighter Side of Elgar Howarth' by the Buy as you View Band - worth the value it cost, notes are great, plus the arrangements etc are spot on and fine on the ear. Isn't this what it's all about? Obrasso take note of a real recording with real values!!
 
Gareth McDonnell.

PS - I am not Welsh biased, I'm Irish and just picked another of my Xmas prezzies I got.  It was pure luck (of the Irish)

Not forgotten names of Youth

Hear, hear Mr. Corrigan. I fully endorse your sentiments regarding Willie Tenant. But why stop at an MBE or OBE! Sir Willie sounds good to me.
 
Taking your comments further, Youth Development is not a new phenomenon here in Scotland. According to my memory, people such as Hugh Johnstone (Dalmellington), Andrew Keachie (Kilmarnock), Jack Malpass (Loudon), Alan Samson (Paisley), Jim Polland (Brediland), Gordon Evans (Campbelltown), Jim Smith (Monklands), Stewart Watson and Eric Kidd (Aberdeen), George Annan (Perthshire), John Fishwick (Southside Brass), Hugh Brennan (North Ayrshire), David O'Connor and Alan Fernie (Midlothian), Cameron Mabon (Jedburgh), and myself (Irvine & Dreghorn).

All these people, and many more I am sure, have introduced young people in their thousands to brass playing and brass bands in particular over the last forty years or so. 
 
Are they all still playing? Who knows? But through their involvement with the above mentioned people and the respective bands, they will have many treasured memories of highs and lows, camaraderie, team spirit, etc. All very valuable experiences in their development not just as musicians, but as people.
 
Charles Keenan

Typos -  is this a Wah!
 
After reading the Gareth McDonnell letter "Great Player - terrible speller". I'm wondering what its all about.
 
If Bert Van Thienen's first language was English then the odd typo ok  -  so what we aren't at school! -  but I presume its his second language.  I wish I could write his language as good as he can  mine. The problem is he has spelt it right, and I can see that without "Spell Checker"  - and I don't think he was preaching just directing the credit in the right direction.
 
Anyway I fink he can spill jist fyne
 
Oh, and by the way, I've looked into my Dictionary as well and I can find "instrumentalist" the same as Mr. Van Thienen has written but not "instrumetalist" that you, Gareth McDonnell quotes??!!
 
Don Perry

Any advance on 8?
 
Gareth McDonnell had the audacity to criticise a spelling mistake, I believe there are several spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes in his own short letter, any advance on 8 anyone? 

Allan Morrison.

Well done Allan

Nice to see Allan Withington and Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band getting the recognition they deserved with the 4BR Awards.

It is very easy for people to vote for Black Dyke or BAYV, Nicholas Childs or David King, but overall both Allan and Grimethorpe have been the best conductor and band during the past year and it it is good that this has been recognised by your readers.

Peter Smith
Liverpool 

Tedious minors

I'm just getting a bit fed up with tedious and very minor so called 'news' articles now appearing on 4BR.

Since the brass band world got wind of this particular website, all sorts of very inconsequential news have appeared on the site.

Looking at the site on the 20th December, amongst the important news about the 2003 licensing act and Grimey helping to raise money for BBA, there's details of a couple of band's Christmas concerts (that's strange, a brass band playing over Christmas), someone had a decent horn soloist and someone gave out a couple of awards to their own bandsmen. 

Now call me cynical, but isn't the respective bands' own websites enough to promote this kind of news?  And don't even get me started on the ubiquitous Chris Wormald who seems to have a mandatory right to appear at least twice every page.

Far be it for me to suggest censorship, but do you think 4BR should exercise some sort of editorial control or section off certain types of news?  Or is it quantity over quality?

Colin Harris 
MD, Five Rivers Brass

A thought or two about YBS

I have never felt compelled to write before to 4BR but Dave's departure from YBS merits a thought or two. He has without doubt been the single biggest individual in the advancement of our movement over recent years.

His concert and contest performances with YBS are well documented for their excellence. His recordings have broken new ground with a level of balance and musical brilliance.As his band manager and Bass Trombone at Kenney's Swinton we became good friends as well sharing a vision and passion to be successful. His great strength whilst at Swinton was to produce a sense of belief in mediocre players( of which I was one) and then guide and encourage that talent to flourish.

David's 'fear factor' was not in the middle but that he was never prepared to accept anything less than your personal best. He would often say to us at Swinton that the only barriers we have are the ones we choose to accept. David's greatness in my view was that he chose to accept no barriers at all.

All things were possible. And with Swinton the unthinkable did happen under him. 4 areas in consecutive years in the North West was quite unbelievable. Little known however was that around 15 of the band who won the 4th section went on to win the Championship Section with him and with due respect to Gary Cutt, went on to a British Open title in 1989. He seemed to have the rare talent to give you a vision of what you could do and then give you the ability to make it happen.

His legacy will all feature around YBS and rightly so but for me it will lie in his work with us at Swinton. Furthermore the number of former players who have gone on to play and conduct in bands all over the country, no doubt trying to bring something of the music of David in new context is important.

I'm sure I share a view with many that I hope after a time-out he will return to do other great things. I remain grateful to him for teaching a lot of us that all things are possible not only in music but in life in general. With dedication, good teaching ,a desire to be the best and unquenchable passion and enthusiasm..... All things are there for us to achieve.

Mark Condron
Dearham Band
W Cumbria 

History has a habit of repeating itself

I am an avid reader of your website, and usually look forward to reading considered views and accurate reporting. However, I am disgusted by the attitude supported in your article about YBS Band.

I am a passive supporter of the band and feel privileged to have been conducted by David King as part of the band in the early days. I wonder what other players of the "once proud" Hammonds Band feel about your description of it as a rotting hulk! or the players that were "culled" from it!

Let me tell you - that band was always proud - why don't you tell Geoff Whitham face-to-face that he was the captain of a hulk?

Bands are dynamic, so is sponsorship. I guess that nobody now connected with the band or many of the plethora of Salford students who made up the band over the years realise that the YBS band would not exist with its' generous sponsorship but for the tradition for quality that we had at Hammonds that was offered to Yorkshire Building Society by two loyal supporters - Fred Etherington and Brian Rollason who like us were determined not to let quality die.

Please take care and choose your words carefully in the future. History has a habit of repeating itself.

Gordon Eddison 

Fred Dibnah's clock?

I read on your website that the main tune from the famous Fred Dibnah tv programme was 'Carnival of Venice'. Is this right? It sounds more like the great euphonium solo 'The Grandfathers Clock'.

Austin Nicholas
Bromsgrove Salvation Army

4BR Reply:
It is 'Carnival of Venice' Austin, recorded by Robert Childs during his time with Black Dyke close on a decade ago now. 

Standing up to the rankings

How does your ranking stand up? You have Enderby in your top 200.

I play for Bedworth Brass and we have beaten Enderby in two contests in November, so how are they shown and not us?

Steve Holmes

4BR Reply:
As always Steve we would refer you to the explanation given about the rankings on the site. 

Great player - terrible speller!

Mr Van Thienen writes see below,... now he is nor a friend nor collegue, but correction on what he is preaching on TYPO error's,..

I've looked into my Dictionary and cannot find "instrumetalist", but yet I've found "instrumentalist" see the different,...

Great player deserves all credits, but come on put the spell checker on man!

Gareth McDonnell 

Charging bandsmen - take the beer route

In response to Daniel Floyd … Why shouldn't the venue charge to let you hear other bands. After all, the pub charges you to drink its beer!
 
Adrian Horn
Chetham's School of Music
Long Millgate

Youth policies in Scotland

I was hoping that one of my colleagues would take this forward but Hi Ho...its off to work I go!
 
I noted with interest the very appropriate comments made by Whitburn band in response to the decision made by Andrew Duncan on his future in banding and musical development. I feel that I must take issue with one element of the release however in relation to Andrew's work in relation to youth development and the "unrivalled success" in Scotland of this work .
 
While congratulating Whitburn on this area of very important development for our movement I feel that by including the statement "unrivalled success" they may have missed activities slightly west of their location. While not wishing to blow my own band's barking iron euphonium/bass... too much I feel that it would be difficult for anyone to match the work undertaken by Mr William Tennant of Kirkintilloch/Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass. In the words of a former member of Kirki and Whitburn not only has he "built the band mate" he contributed to the success of the band through his playing and management.
 
Kelvin Brass (Kirkintilloch Junior Band) started as a group of young players brought together and by Willie with some being individually tutored by him. Initially finding instruments wherever he could a full band was formed. As ever once players had reached a certain level they moved on...initially feeding bands in the second and first sections and as Kelvin Brass moved forward attracting players in from areas such as Campbeltown and some players moving to the likes of Whitburn, Kirkintilloch and some even ending up at Scottish Co-op. The pinnacles for Kelvin Brass have quite obviously been the victory in the millenium 3rd section finals and the eventual promotion to championship status.
 
The future for the band will be as challenging as it is for all bands however I believe that Kelvin Brass' success to date would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and dedication of Willie...and while I'm on the subject without Willie and his partner in crime Peter Fraser I don't believe that Kirkintilloch Band would be where it is today!
 
And what does a man do apart from manage them...when the band he created moves up the sections.....he starts another one!
 
My wish for 2007 for Willie.......appropriate recognition we need matching MBEs or is it OBEs....and a pair of non number one draw picking hands!
 
Best wishes to all at 4barsrest..readers and contributors..to all baritone (barking iron) players and band's people in general!
 
Jim Corrigan

4BR typo errors
 
Thanks for the nominations of all the Belgians!
 
Just two things to correct:
 
1) It was my friend and collegue Peter Roberts who won the soloist award at the British Open, I've won the best instrumentalist prize at the Nationals.
 
2) BB Willebroek came 3rd at the Masters, not 4th.
 
Best wishes to all!
 
Bert Van Thienen

Seasons guidance please anyone?

Can you point me in the right direction for a little clarification on the 3rd movement of The Seasons.
 
After hours of studying the score i note at G in the 3rd movement p cresc to mf then 2 bars later it is marked f then 2 bars later ff
 
My question is, is this a graded crescendo, or as the score indicates, a crescendo to mf, then an instant f, then an instant ff through the phrase to bar 103?
 
Can you suggest how i can clarify this?
 
Kind regards
 
Alan Needham
MD Market Rasen

Thanks to YBS

It was with great surprise and shock that i read the news last Sunday of  David King's departure from the YBS band. It is the end of a truly great era for the band and also banding in general.

When my dad took me to my first ever brass band contest (the Grand Shield  in 1995 at the Free Trade Hall) I was bowled over by the performance of YBS on their way to winning the title on the test piece "Pagaentry".

If i remember correctly, we had missed the first minute or so of the performance but had managed to sneak into one of the upper balconies to catch the remainder of the piece! It was a great performance and really made an impression on me as a youngster (and the young cornet player i was back then!) It was also great to see them continue and find their feet in the British Open contest in the same year (my second contest!) when they came an excellent 3rd place on the test piece "Revelation".  Although i was never able to travel to Europe for any of their famous victories over the last 10 years, i do have many happy memories of some of the contest performances in this country (even some of the ones they didn't win!) in addition to the concerts I have been able to go to.

I also had the great priviledge to attend a YBS masterclass in 2004 which was inspirational & I learnt a great deal from all of the players, as well as performing with the band at the end of the masterclass (with my hero Peter Roberts sat behind knocking out the soprano part in my right ear!)

I would like to wish the band all the best for the future, as well as David King (and i echo Matt Chiverton's comments that i hope to see him stood in front of a band before too long!)

Adrian Whittingham
Boscombe Salvation Army Band

Clarence is found

As a "periodic only" visitor to your site, I have just seen the August Comments page. In it, a Ray Hensher asks for the whereabouts of Clarence Sutcliffe----at one time of the Todmorden Old Brass Band.
 
Clarence is my uncle.Would you please tell Mr. Hensher that after retiring, Clarence left Todmorden to live near his daughter/grand-daughter.He can be contacted at

26 Manor Close
Worksop
Notts.
S80 3QT
 
Telephone   01909 484644

Muriel Sutcliffe

4BR Reply:
Thanks Muriel, hopefully Ray Hensher who enquired back in August on Clarence's whereabouts will read this and get in touch

Good Luck & Thanks to YBS

I would just like to extend my best wishes to Prof. David King. His departure from the YBS Band will certainly be missed. I met David while at the University of Salford and have continued to keep in touch with him on occasion. Perhaps some 4BR Readers might like to give some key moments from the YBS Band under David King?

For me, it's the 2003 Euro performance (DVD) of Apocalypse by Derek Bourgeois – thrilling stuff!

All the best David!

James McFadyen
Composer

What now for YBS?

I was both shocked & very sad to hear about David King's departure from YBS.  He was truly an iconic figure and I hope it's not too long before he's stood in front of a band again!  But what now for YBS?  It's a great testament to David King that he managed to keep hold of the nucleus of the band when their sponsorship was withdrawn a couple of years ago.  But with him gone, and a number of key players already followed him, I can't help but fear the worst!

R.I.P YBS band!??

Matt Chiverton

Even more Welsh Bias

In the past I have personally given little credence to claims of a Welsh bias in 4barsrest, however, on closer inspection there seems to be a very disturbing undercurrent prevelant on the site. Irrefutable proof of this can be found by using the search function. On entering the word "leek" no fewer than 2 entries can be found to be littering the site. How can this be justified? As if this wasn't bad enough "daffodils" returns a staggering 3 entries. Compare this to the eminently english "primrose" (without a single entry) and the truly sickening scale of this evil uber-plan shines forth like a beacon of filth sullying your website's once great reputation for fairness.
 
P.s "turtle" returns 4 entries and whilst I am all for equality this imbalanced reporting on all things Galapagossian is starting to get my goat as well.
 
Dylan Richards
Market Harborough

To Charge or not to charge?

In response to Daniel Floyd … Why shouldn't the venue charge to let you hear other bands. After all, the pub charges you to drink its beer!

Adrian Horn

Not that Welsh bias again?

Just been reading your nominations for the 4BR Awards. Strange selections by you I must say – no Brighouse (your money list winners, Whit Friday Champions and Brass in Concert winners), no Richard Evans and no David King?

Is that Welsh bias starting to show again?

Peter Hill
Scunthorpe

Fine yanks - but not quite contender material

I know Brass Band of Central Florida did make a big impression at Brass in Concert, but come on lads! They only came 4th, and the standard of their actual playing wasn't that high really was it now?

I agree that they have improved and that they were very flashy, but they are a long way off really being contenders for major honours and winning the US Open isn't that amazing an achievement.
Perhaps 4BR has been bowled over by the alligator smile of the MD?

Justin Connor
Manchester

4BR - the orchestral version?
 
Must say I thoroughly enjoy reading your website. However, is it not time for an orchestral equivalent of the site - 40barsrest.com?

Andrew Wainwright
Orpington

Bands and pianos
 
In reply to Matt's enquiry. I seem to recall recording a work for piano and band by Gareth Wood with the Cory band back in the 80s so it's may be worthwhile dropping Gareth a line.

Rob Burnett

Reg Vardy played the finale of a Shostakovich piano concert in Kerkrade 2005 (I don't know the pianist). It was a quite effective approx. 5 minute piece.

Erik Kjaer

4BR Reply:
Thanks to everyone whp let us know about this topic - but no more please

Try a three hander

In response to Matt Pollard's request for pieces for piano and band, apart from Edward Gregson's 'Concertante''(which he already appears to be aware of), he might also want to consider possibly the best of the genre - Gordon Jacob's 'Rhapsody for Piano (Three Hands) and Band'.

Alec Gallagher

Wonderful Florida

How wonderful to learn from your website that the Brass Band of Central Florida is a nominee for Band of the Year! 

It's been an honor and privilege for me to have been involved in just a small way with this amazing young ensemble for the past few years.  I serve as the Coordinator for a Concert Series, now in its 13th year, in Central Florida. Several years ago,when BBCF was still relatively unknown, we took a chance on booking them and they have become a crowd magnet ever since.

They have performed twice each season for the past few years, but in December/2005 we encountered a problem : they drew a record-breaking audience of 1,600...which was 400 beyond our capacity. But a further mark of their popularity is this: that not a single person left, but rather accepted the option of viewing the concert via livestream video in other parts of our facility!

We made a joint decision to add a Matinee performance for the 2006 BBCF's Holiday Concert, thinking that would suffice. It did...barely! Just three days ago, BBCF performed a "double" for the St. Luke's Concert Series and the total audience that day was 2,500!! Now we're wondering how to resolve the "problem" next season! (We may have to add a breakfast concert!) 

So the public has voted, as well! The energy, creativity, precision and professionality of this Band has endeared the BBCF to our audiences, many of whom might not even be able to articulate what they love about this band in "music-speak." They just know they're willing to arrive 90 minutes before a BBCF concert to be sure of getting a seat. (Next year, I suppose we'll have to open the doors TWO hours early!). 

I think a great deal of the 'brass-appeal' is the respect the audience feels from the BBCF. Michael Garasi customizes his programs and his presentation for the specific audience and somehow that sensitivity comes across. And when our audiences learn that the members of the Band are unpaid and, in fact, must pay dues for the privilege of participating, they are truly amazed at this extraordinary commitment. 

Finally, however, it's the BBCF's brilliant performance that wins them over and I've already received countless emails asking when they'll return again. Happily, I can say that we have the BBCF scheduled for 3 performances next season and I can assure you they will all be SRO!
 
So the "critics' choice" this year is also the "people's choice." Kudos!
 
Best wishes for your continued success.

Judy Duda
Coordinator: St. Luke's Concert Series
Oviedo, Florida

Christmas is for giving - for free!

Having taught for more years than I care to mention, my interest has been rekindled again via my son Alex (aged 9). He's been playing for over two years now and recently enjoyed a concert in Ilford with a massed brass group from Redbridge of 90 pupils from Grade II to Grade IV'ish.

Early on in his playing I made sure he could chromatic on low C down to low F# and back and do the slurs on that fingering. He now finds this all very easy and trots around slurring and scales to a grade IV standard. Is this the national case? No!
 
It's not teacher's faults. I have talked to brass peris from London to Scotland. They can all supply good tutor books, and say a good book of tunes, but they always have to write out technical exercises on, or in, a manuscript book. It really isn't practical to ask a young player to go out an purchase any number of technical exercise books as they are expensive, and very often start several steps ahead of their standard. 
 
So, I've near finished a short book of some 10 pages of very exact exercise pertinent to those at every stage from 18 months in to Grade 8+.

All ex's are explained in terms of why, how often, and what are the long term benefits. Even parents can read it in plain English and understand why their child does this, and even what to listen out for as a basic parental guide. From Grade 5 it covers some basic transposition via hymns. But the essence all the way through is about basic technique. 

The best news though is that it is FREE to all music services/brass dep's throughout the land. All they have to do is ask and supply an address. They can then copy, bind into a hardy book perhaps with their borough logo on, and give to the pupils. Not entirely like Jamie Oliver and good school dinners! Phil Lawrence and a diet of good exercises for brass! 
 
The book will be finished just before the Xmas holiday:  preferred method of contact via email and the exercise book will be sent in a pdf format via email. Traditional method may also be employed snailmail address and hard copy sent to you". info@elmsstudios.com   . 10 Empress Ave , Aldersbrook, Wanstead, London E12 5ES.
 
Phil Lawrence

Head scratching for Santa?

Having just read through your "10 things 4BR would like from Santa", one item in particular really got me scratching my head?
 
4BR Christmas Wish No.1: Open adjudications at ‘lower section' contests etc….
 
One question….. Why?
 
You point out that you think there are no real reasons against this, however, I'm curious why/how you think non-Championship Section bands would at all benefit? Would this rule apply at Regionals? Nationals? Grand Shield?
 
Also, why should these ‘lower section' bands not be extended the same contest conditions as the very top bands? Surely the introduction of a ‘them-and-us' situation is something we should be trying to keep out of the movement rather than introduce and encourage it???
 
Andy Steele

Kew - the right name please
 
Just a brief email to advise; that in your top 200 rankings: 116 - Kew, should read and correct title is; 116 - Kew Band Melbourne
 
Mark Ford
Principal Conductor
Kew Band Melbourne

4BR Reply:
Thanks. We will sort it out

Cornet information

Do you have any info on Bb flat cornets?

Our grandson as been awarded a thousand dollars to help buy a cornet. Its obvious he`ll need more, which is no problem. We thought that Besson would be out with something by now.

That Xeno soprano that you revued is so good..thanks for that. I`ve been to the Sterling web site and they seem to have a good product.

Any info would be helpful.

David T. Prince
Oakland, California

4BR Reply:
Just go to our review section and have a look at our cornet reviews. They should hopefully help. If not, hold on a little while and in the new year there will be plenty of new reviews of the latest instruments.

Desford recalled
 
The Desford winning performance of "Hamony Music" is on the LP titled National Brass Band Festival 1987, recorded on Polyphonic PRL036D.  The Desford "Showcase" recording does not contain this item.
 
I have only one of these available, and is listed for sale on my website www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk/quinn.htm in the Brass Band LP section ref: V28.  Price £8 + p&p.
 
Keith Quinn
KEITH@quinnk37.freeserve.co.uk 

Another question...
 
Thanks to those who helped with my Rhapsody in Brass question a few months ago! Now another teaser...
 
I'm thinking of programming a work for piano and brass band next year. I'm aware of the Roy Newsome concerto, a concertino in manuscript by Edward Gregson, an arrangement of something by Bliss, and an arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue by Howard Snell (I think). Does anyone know of any others, either original works or arrangements of classical concertos?
 
Thanks in advance everyone.
 
Matt Pollard
Hangleton Band

Santa can't help you with these wishes

I read with interest your ‘Wish List' for Santa in the December Editorial and had to have a laugh. 

Getting adjudicators in the Open and then speaking at major contests would tax the good Lord himself let alone a fat bloke in a red jumper -  and as for a regrading of bands!

As much as I agree with all your sentiments (even the predictions) you are asking a bit much to expect maybe 1 or 2 of your wishes to come true in 2007. It would be a great start though if the mess over age limits is sorted out for Youth Contests. One band I knew performed at this year's National Youth Championships with three players who had been in full time work for the past year or more.

Hope Santa does bring you something for all your good work.

Peter Hughes
Swansea

Wishes will lead to disappointment
 
Do 4BR honestly believe that any of your 10 wishes to Santa Claus will likely to come true in 2007?

I like your courage to put them up for everyone to see, but I feel you may be left a little disappointed this time next year.

Mrs Melanie Thompson

Answering own questions over Scottish Open

Tan Horne actually answers his own question about the results timing at the Glasgow (Scottish) Open in his last paragraph.

The bandsmans tickets are designed to allow entry to all of the four contests all day in a day of brass banding where young players can be motivated and encouraged by hearing bands such as Whitburn who were eventual winners, or the high standard of youth bands in evidence. With regards to a lack of audience it was in fact the case that the contest in the Strathclyde suite was so well patronised that the rear bar area had to be opened up to accommodate the audience during the youth contests.

Even the youngest of players in our bands would have benefited from taking the opportunity to see and hear banding at so many levels in the one building in the one day.

John Gilmour

Laying claim to the Barmy Army trumpeter

I'd just like to clear up something.

Billy Cooper, the ex - Desford soprano who is currently doing a crackin' job down under trying to rouse our not so crackin' cricket team is in fact a founder member of the Alliance Brass Band.

He has done one or two jobs for Desford over a period of years but I feel it would be a travesty if it was not known that Billy's true roots lie with the Alliance!! I just wanted to make sure that Billy from the 'cup (Sidcup) was recognised as such and not as Billy from the 'ford (Desford) !!  Doesn't sound right i'm sure you'd agree !

Oh, and the point of my email........if any brass band! is going to get any exposure from Billy's exploits down under it should be Alliance not Desford!!

Dan Conneally

Right checks at right number

Many thanks for pointing Su Hollick of Hangleton Band in the direction of the BFBB for help with her bands CRB checks but you appear to have quoted the wrong office telephone number.

The correct number for the British Federation of Brass Bands is 01226 771015.
 
Carol Tattersfield
General Secretary
British Federation of Brass Bands
email carol.tattersfield@ntlworld.com

Thanks for the programme notes

Just a quick note to say thank you for publishing details of the programmes played at Brass in Concert recently.

I don't know if this was in response to my request of last week ,or not, but itis much appreciated.

Christy Smith
Drogheda

A rant typed out!

As ever I settle down after a contest and feel the need to type...and some would say rant!
 
I'm sure that before you lost all those valuable reader's comments that I saw a response from BiC on tickets for band's persons and a reference (which could only have come from an accountant...) to 4 free tickets which if the cost-benefit was seen across a band of approximately 28 players that this would result in a 14% saving for all the bands members concerned.

I can only state that this person is obviously not from Aberdeen, Yorkshire or one of my kinsmen from Paisley..also well noted for people with short arms and long pockets! 

Why would/should he be so generous...a whole 14% for the bands people who actually provide the entertainment..given up their time for rehearsals...commisioned new pieces...? How dare they take tickets away from people who may wish to pay the full price to watch them....what do they think this is...a charity? Are there no workhouses anymore.....?
 
I digress......there is a concern about attendances at contests and part of this must be the lack of willingness on the part of competing bands people to buy full price tickets to watch a contest which they have made possible by their work! Time for a re-think? 
 
Is it possible that my eyes have deceived me (again)?
 
Are there four areas on the same day next March? South, Wales, Scotland and North West?
 
In many ways the area contest can make or break a band's year. Rightly or wrongly many bands share from the same pool of pro conductors in the hope of gaining an advantage in this important competition (given ten bands in a section with two for relegation...this is tight). Placing four on the same day makes this almost impossible and while some may see advantages in potential conductor development..others may see it differently.
 
I thinks its time the areas got back in touch with one another and spread the workload a bit!
 
Jim Corrigan

Bousfield or Boudfield? 
 
Wondered if you had noticed that Doyen don't seem to be able to spell the names of their performing artists....the banner at the top of the home page advertising Pryor Engagement refers to Ian BOUDFIELD!
 
Chris Thomas
Birmingham

The Desford question solved 
 
The Desford record which Dave Smart thinks he needs 'Showcase', is available from www.vinyluk.com.

The ID number is ID175633. Recorded by EMI Music for Pleasure 1987, MFP5782. £12.00 + P&P. I would email them first to check the track he requires is on that LP.

Bob Woffinden
MD Creswell Colliery Brass Band

and another...

Desford's 1987 winning Nationals performance of Harmony Music was recorded and released on LP and cassette (remember them? ;)) on the Polyphonic label (LP number PRL 036D). Can't remember if it was released on CD.
 
Anyway, Polyphonic is/was the recording wing of Studio Music so they'll hopefully be able to tell you whether the recording you're looking for still exists.
 
 
Dave Payn

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