Comments ~ 2007: May

The Mead debate drags on; Proving a negative and even a youthful sidestep as we head for the annual feast that is Whit Friday...

A youthful sidestep?

I agree with Mark over the encouragement of Youth Players within our movement.
 
However, it is also good to learn that you can't just stamp your foot and get what you want, when you want it. Sometimes you have to learn to step aside and let someone else have a go.

'Tis only fair afterall.

Julia Crask

Appalling treatment of judges 

How refreshing to read Brian Fieldhouse's letter regarding the appalling way we treat our adjudicators. He is quite right. To lock them away in a tent or box, the acoustic properties of which are at best questionable, actually makes the whole subject of assessing a performance more difficult.
 
You'd think that our movement would be keen to see an end to this silly practice, when the quality of our top bands is so ‘close'. Add to that the fact that any adjudicator trusted with judging these bands will, almost by definition, be involved closely with bands at that level and may thus be very likely to identify them by the Principal Cornet player's ‘vibrato', it's hard to find any justification at all for this practice to continue.
 
The only aspect which does come to mind is that of deportment, and this applies more to lower section bands. I have found during 40+ years of keen banding that, in the main, it's fairly easy to predict what you are about to hear from the dress and demeanour of the band assembling on the contest platform. Not always, but more often than not.

Now this is turn may well influence, albeit subconsciously, an adjudicator's impression of a band. The obvious remedy to this is to enclose the adjudicator, but a far better way would be for bands to attend to deportment for their own benefit.
 
There was a time when I could tell the sound of ‘Dyke' from a radio broadcast. Not anymore (perhaps I'm getting old) but I'm sure our top level adjudicators will have no trouble from 50 feet in the same room! So let's stop this nonsense and give them the trust they have earned.
 
Roger Pearcey.
Suffolk.

Proving a negative
 
It was good to see an adjudicator, Alan Morrison, get involved in the Great Steven Mead Debate.  Unfortunately it was on another website.  I hope he doesn't mind me quoting something he said which I think rather hit the nail on the head.  Referring to closed adjudication, he said "…believe me when I say that judges have no idea at all which band is on stage at any time."
 
It's notoriously difficult to prove a negative – in this case, to prove that an adjudicator cannot identify a band by sound alone.  So Mr Morrison asks us only to believe it – in other words, to have faith in the integrity of the closed adjudication system.
 
The problems arise when faith crumbles in the face of a challenge, as it has done in the Steven Mead episode, and Mr Morrison himself is not immune from the crumbling.  In the sentence which followed the one quoted above, he said  "…it is exactly right that (Steven Mead) should step down from this contest."  In one breath he asks us to believe in the integrity of the box as a means of ensuring anonymity for the bands, and in the next breath casts doubt on that integrity. 

Let's be clear: in the highly unlikely event that Mr Mead had suddenly abandoned all his moral scruples and had wanted to show partial treatment towards the band he conducts, how exactly would he have done it if, as Mr Morrison says, "judges have no idea which band is on stage at any time"?  
 
Assuming the use of X-ray spectacles or a surreptitious periscope have been discounted, the implication appears to be that Mr Mead's  recent knowledge of ‘his' band's sound and playing style will enable him to recognise them from the other side of the screen.  But is the ability to recognise a band by sound alone restricted to people who have had recent intimate involvement with that band? 

I don't believe it.  I reckon there are quite a few brass band aficionados out there (including many other adjudicators) who, armed with a good ear, a knowledge of the recent movements of key players, an up to date CD collection and a diary of attendance at various contests and concerts would quite fancy their chances of correctly picking out one or two of the top bands in a blind test. 

Are the contest organisers sure, for example, that Mr Mead's replacement is not capable of identifying the same band (which he used to conduct) by sound alone, and does not harbour some lingering affection for them?  Even I would have been able to pick out the velvet tones of Philip McCann in years gone by – and I've got a tin ear!
 
What it really comes down to of course is whether any adjudicator  would use privileged knowledge to tip the scales in ‘his' bands favour.  I don't believe it for a minute, but many apparently do.  As Alec Gallacher said in an earlier letter, shame on them.
 
Let me say that I don't mean to have a go at Mr Morrison.  It's just that he was the first one to stick his head over the parapet, and some of what he said articulated the prejudices of many bandsmen.
 
As Brian Fieldhouse points out, it is only in the brass band world that adjudicators in musical competitions are subjected to the indignity of closed adjudication.   Are brass band adjudicators more susceptible to bias than those in piano or choir competitions?  Or is it perhaps that, unlike brass bandsmen,  musicians in other fields keep the sporting aspect of their art in proper perspective? 
 
Jim Yelland

A shambolic rule
 
As a member of a youth band with 37 players, I was horrified to hear that for the forthcoming Whit Friday March Contests, a maximum of thirty players were allowed to play at the actual contest.

I think that this decision is unfair as young players will become upset at what is meant to be a good night when the musical director asks them to step down from playing a contest. I think the rules for the rules for the youth section should differ from the 4th sections and above. As a movement we should be encouraging youth players and I feel that this would only dishearten some and may cause them to stop playing.

This should not be allowed as we need to embrace youth into the movement and create the next generation of players, not dishearten them and upset them.
 
Mark Scott

Beaver remembered
 
I was interested to read your site and see the interest in Jack Beaver. He was my great grandfather.
 
Helen Woodward

Mead common sense
 
I must disagree with Mr Gallagher's comments with regard to the BFBB decision to withdraw Steven Mead from his adjudicator's role at the forthcoming English Championships.

Bandsmen love to have an excuse for not winning contests and like nothing better than pointing point their finger at ‘the authorities'.  It is common sense that anyone with a recent close connection with any of the competing bands should be kept well away.

If you were in their position would you not ‘cover your backside' in the same manner?
 
Geoff Bradley

Insult to adjudicators
 
I write this as a professional musician who has never had any direct involvement with the world of brass bands, but who nevertheless takes an informed interest thanks to family members and friends in the movement.

Festivals and competitions are part of the life of many amateur musicians, and young professionals too. So is disagreeing with the verdict of adjudicators, which is after all a subjective judgement, albeit an informed judgement. However, no competition with which I am acquainted, from Cardiff Singer of the World to the BBC Young Musicians competition, goes so far as to say that the judging panel may not see the performers or know their names in advance for fear of bias or corruption.

Only the brass band movement continues to insult their adjudicators in this fashion by insisting that they must be screened off from the competitors whatever the acoustic consequences may be.

If Mr. Mead claims that he and his colleagues adjudicating at top-end championship-level contests can identify an number of top bands by their sound alone (I read an article some years ago in which Howard Snell made exactly the same point) then the whole system is a sham in any case, as your correspondent Alec Gallacher has already pointed out.

One last point: I would imagine that it is almost impossible to find any adjudicator working at such a level who has NOT had connections as player or conductor with at least one of the competing bands, in which case why has Mr. Mead been singled out for such insulting treatment?

Brian Fieldhouse
Almere,
Netherlands

Missing Tomra?

In your rankings list list of May 2007, it occurs to me that 4BarsRest have not detected the disqualification in Norwegian Championship of February 2007. Number 4 Tomra Brass is out of the list.
 
Rolf Strand
Bekkevollvegen
Norway

4BR Reply:
We have checked with our rankings man and he agrees. All the rankings will be amended accordingly.

Euro comments
 
Thank you to all who have commented on my comments re: The European Podcast.It would seem that it did not give a true indication of the performances involved.
 
Stephen Murray makes a very good point with regard to choices of test piece in the ‘Own Choice' section of the competition. It has been argued for some time that judges are swayed to either more difficult or their favourite pieces in this style of competition and that the playing field becomes uneven!

Perhaps it would be better to use two set pieces – a new commission and one of our older works in order to even things out.
 
Geoff Bradley

A cynical congratulation?

I really must take time to congratulate you guys at 4BR for your relentless campaign of besmirchment of all things BFBB!

Quite what these ordinary bandspeople of the BFBB have done to "irk" yourselves and the rest of the banding world`s "establishment" is beyond me!

We all had suspicions that once your website became bedfellows with the SP&S's British Bandsman that it wouldn't be long before you danced to their undemocratic tune (probably based on a hymn setting!).

I personally have had enough of private individuals/companies and religious bodies running our affairs with little reference to the long term development of our hobby. The BFBB is certainly not perfect and may take years to be what we want it to be, but cut them some slack please!

You had an opportunity with this once great website to be a real force for change, and through your Editorials you could have agitated for banding to be in the hands of "real" bandspeople...what a missed opportunity!

Anyway is that your phone ringing?......it must be SP&S with "instructions" for your next Editorial!

Ian Heard

Sorry mate

I apologise to James J. Corrigan, and am sorry to have upset him. I take his point that he wasn't referring directly to this years' event. I should have read his original comments more carefully. I will try to do better in future.

Christy Smith

Disgust

I write with disgust at the BFBB's decision to ask Steven Mead to stand down as a judge for the English Nationals. This is a disgraceful and unfounded questioning of his integrity as an honest person, musician and most of all bandsman, Steven is one of the greatest exponents of his instrument today and has gone to great lengths world-wide to promote the brass band movement in this country, and how do we repay him, we call him a cheat!

You can dress it up all you want with all the bull***t that you want but all the real bandsmen out there and more so those who have played with, worked or been taught by Steven will know that he is a man of considerable musicianship and honesty. He knows what the contest means to all of his fellow bandsmen as he himself has been in the thick of the contesting scene for years.
 
DISGUSTING !!!!!!!
 
Kevin Donaldson

Two takes on the uniform theme

Just to put my two-penneth-worth in, I know some bands have some strange jacket colours, but if there were no uniforms, would the deportment be as "good"?

How would it look with half the band in jeans, or combats? How many players would spend hours at home before playing 'wondering what to wear' (not just the girls either)? In my humble opinion, uniforms are an important part of brass banding, they give you an identity, something to be proud of, whether you play in the top flight for Black Dyke or Grimethorpe, or in the unregistered world of Muker Silver Band.

When you are in uniform, you are very much a part of that wonderful world of Brass Banding, and that, I feel, is something to be proud of.

On a different note though we do have a whole batch of uniforms for sale , so if someone is interested and want to know more, please email me at MukerBand@Hotmail.com. Price is very much up for negotiation!

Allan Guy
Soprano Cornet
Muker Silver Band
(A very small village band in the Yorkshire Dales)

Thrilled by YBS

We just wanted to write to say how much we were thrilled by the concert given by YBS in the Capitol, Horsham last Sunday.   We wondered prior to the event just how recent changes in personnel would affect the ensemble, but it was truly inspiring to hear such a skilful band with so many youngsters in key solo positions (particularly solo cornet, soprano and solo horn) playing to such a high standard.
 
On a personal note, for us the highlight was firstly seeing, then hearing Derek Jackson on Bb bass.  We have been in awe of this man for many, many years; the true master of the instrument - breathtaking pedals - amazing quality of sound - pianissimo's to die for - this man has it all.  Please don't retire Derek! 
 
Well done to YBS and their conductor, Morgan Griffiths, for making it a truly memorable afternoon!
 
Keith & Shirley Hutchinson 
Worthing

Great podcast!

Just got to say how much I enjoyed the James Morrison podcast. Well done lads, keep it up!
 
Paul Eddy

The Trumpets

Please ask Chris Reed in Canada to get in touch with me. I have had the Black dyke recording put onto a CD and may be able to get him a copy.

John Clay.

Screening the judges

The letter from Alex Gallagher headed 'Screening Adjudicators' prompts this suggested compromise. Turn the whole thing around. Let the adjudicators see the bands in open adjudication - but put them in a soundproof box!

Roger Lincoln

A great European - a fantastic job

I would like to start by congratulating all involved in this years contest in particular BFBB who did a fantastic job. However I find it annoying to come on here and read people slating some aspects of the event.

I agree the Gala Concert perhaps was a little bit weak but you still got to hear two fantastic bands. I might also add that if people had gone for the weekend ticket the gala concert cost £5, which is very cheap. The ticket itself was £40 and if you take Friday (£15) and Saturday (£20) it's not a bad deal.

Geoff Bradley comments that the Willebroek sound was too 'Brassy'. All be it for a brass band to sound brassy. And then to say that Cory where more lyrical and fat sounds. To say they had a fat sound is quite true but to say Lyrical is another thing altogether.

I would class Willebroek as having a very lyrical and musical approach to banding and they most certainly displayed it at the contest this year. I felt Cory had more of an edge to there playing all be it a good thing but Lyrical I wouldn't have said. With all due respect it is impossible to judge a performance on 30 seconds of sound and only a mastered recording or a person who witnessed these performances could truly say what it was like.

I think the podcasts are excellent but the sound clips are by no means perfect and im sure Iwan and co. will agree, that they are merely to offer people a rough insight as to the standard of playing which took place in the contest.

Now you also worry that banding, in particular UK banding, will change their approach to a more symphonic approach. All I will say to that is what a pile of rubbish. The simple fact is the UK reps where not up to the standard according to the judges. You may also note Philip Sparke, Alan Morisson and James Gourlay where all in the box (Philip on Friday and the other two Saturday) and they are UK.

I think what the telling factor is at the Europeans is how difficult and how impressive the
piece you pick is. The UK reps went for ‘Of Men and Mountains' and ‘Contest Music'.

Both old pieces which to a certain extent have stood the test of time. However the top two bands overall, played modern works like ‘Vienna Nights' and ‘Music of the Spheres'. These are real testers and they seem to appeal more to the judges than older pieces. I don't think the UK bands are losing because the judges look for a different style. I think they lose out on choice of piece. And with regards results is it not a double edged sword here. If you give results before the Gala will the bands people stay around for it!

However will they stay for the duration of the Gala to hear the results! Tough one I think!

Anyway to round up a very long rant I wish to once again congratulate the BFBB on a superb event and look forward to Stavanger with great anticipation and hope that it to will be marvellous event.

Stephen Murray
Drogheda Brass Band
Ireland

Not just Birmingham but Europe in general

If Christy Smith had taken the time to read my points he/she would have noted the indication that my points did not relate to the contest in Birmingham but to the European in general.

The only point which could have been taken that way was the one relating to three bands playing the same test piece...but this problem goes back a long way....I encountered it in Copenhagen when 3 bands played 'Dances and Arias' (coming 1,2 and 3 in the own choice adjudication if my memory serves me well).

I have competed in the Europeans on at least three occasions, including the second one at the Albert Hall in London, and have attended the contest at least three times when it has come to Scotland. During that time I have heard the non UK bands grow in stature and therefore recognise that while required in those early days around 1979 the 35 player rule is no longer required.

Given this and that my comments were not about Birmingham I therefore believe I have the right to express my thoughts!

James J Corrigan

Shameful distrust

Bandsmen have always argued that bands should be screened from the adjudicator's view at contests to hide their identity and therefore prevent the potential introduction of bias. 

This shameful distrust of so many respected musicians has always been a deep embarassment - although it is an embarassment which most bandsmen have manage to hide successfully over the years.

So I was delighted to hear that the BFBB, (allegedly at the request of third parties), has asked Steven Mead to step aside from his adjudicator's role at the forthcoming English Championships, on the grounds that his connection with one of the competing bands may influence his judgement, presumably in their favour.

As Mr Mead would have been exercising his judgement from behind a screen, it is clear that  the BFBB considers adjudicators to be capable of identifying bands without being able to see them.  The pretence that a screen is necessary to protect their identity has therefore been blown away, and I look forward to the Federation's inevitable announcement that in future, the English Championships will take place in front of open adjudication.

Alec Gallagher
Bedfordshire

Finding fault in their absence

It seems rather odd to me that the only people who seem to find fault with the recent European Championships held in Birmingham, ie. James J. Corrigan and Geoff Bradley, are people who didn't actually attend the event.

I wonder why that is, and how they justify their entitlement to offer opinions on something they have no experience of?

Christy Smith
Drogheda

Sandwich bored? 

Did the audience really need to be treated to the sight of Frank Renton eating his sandwiches out of a carrier bag on the side of the stage between bands at the set-piece contest on Friday night?

Not exactly a professional image.

Helen Parker

A real brass band sound

I read Goeff's comments, and I am glad he supports the famous brass band sound, but allow me to believe he is quite wrong about Willebroek.

Read once the 4BR retrospective and the live comments and there you will find phrases such as "right from the start they delivered an emotionally packed performance of rich colour and texture that was very persuasive in approach and execution. ", "the depth and balance of the band sound was something to behold", "ensemble playing of fantastic execution, amazing depth of sound and clarity in balance.", "The lyrical playing is also of the highest class also. It is a very musical reading. Asteroids really sparkle and the quality of playing is self evident.", "Overall – Chock full of emotion this".
 
Wow, quite something to be proud of.

I can guarantee you the Willebroek values are eg "lyrical, warm, fat juicy sounds", so no "symphonic" anything will be in there, and 4BR seems to agree don't they?
 
You've missed something Geoff, so book a flight to Stavanger… or maybe attend the 2007 Masters?
 
Edy Van Asch
Belgium

Responding in fear...

I fear that I must respond to some of the comments raised in your pages........
 
Re Mr Didcott's comments. The comments regarding ageing audiences has not only been made not only to brass bands but to the world of professional classical music. Orchestras all over the UK, where funding is tight and where there is probably an over provision of organisations, are looking at ways of changing presentation and interacting with the audience. My goodness the RSNO's Principal Conductor even talks to the audience during concerts now...how radical is that?
 
To suggest that bands have not changed is ridiculous. Having been a player for nearly 40 years I have seen the changes in concert work, when we get a chance to do it.  From presenting marches and overtures, light classical work, air varie solos and some test piece (which if I had the chance of listening to a quality band doing I would). we are now playing a greater variety of music that appeals to a wider audience.

If I had a pound for the number of times people have said to me that they didn't know brass bands were capable of playing the music they do  and how much they enjoyed it I would have been able to go to Birmingham and Cambridge in May.
 
Re the uniforms...lots of bands have changed......in Scotland Scottish Co-op have championed the waistcoat and shirt look ..Johnstone band the black shirted approach. I would rather look at a band that looks like a band than a rag tag collection of different dress.
 
As far as contests are concerned...these are a different beast. Nothing finer than seeing bands perform in old fashioned uniform! These and the gala concerts are not targetted at the wider public but to the bands and their supporters! However as far as gala concerts are concerned if bands people don't attend...don't put them on...though I think it appalling that bands persons and supporters are expected to wait to the end of gala concerts to get results!
 
If people like a lemonade after playing...well so be it....maybe the Martians should give it a try!
 
It is easy to say....
 
"If there is to be a secure future for our British brass band movement we need to stop looking at each other's navels, look outwardly and modernise to connect with an audience that are long-term appreciators of brass music." 

As this makes it someone elses problem.....how about some positive suggestions (please not involving bass guitars)..... 
  
On another item...I read with some disappointment Mr Thompsons message. I feel that such comments are unhelpful and that the editors should think twice before publishing such thoughts in the future.....or am I missing some irony?
 
Jim Corrigan

Wearing uniforms...

Further to the recent emails from Messrs Didcott and Cooper in respect of the wearing of blazers and lion-tamer jackets, I wonder whether they would be so vociferous if they were not made to wear pink when out and about!!?
 
D Hoffman
Dorset

Hopefully not a symphonic approach

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Europeans this year but did listen to your podcast. From what I heard It seems to me that the winners Willebroek had a very aggressive ‘Brassy" sound – very ‘in your face' for my liking. Cory, on the other hand had a much warmer, more musical feel and sound – a more brass band sound!

Are we becoming more symphonic in approach – I hope not? I am concerned that our bands may begin to change their approach in order to win this contest. Our brass bands are famous for their lyrical, warm, fat juicy sounds – I am concerned that we will soon be symphonic ensembles.
 
Geoff Bradley

Champions League?

So ‘top bands' want a Champions League do they? Where have we heard this before?

Wasn't it the same ‘top bands' that wanted changes to the British Open, All England Masters, Nationals and Regionals, but when it came to actually working together they fell out quicker than members of Girls Aloud.

This seems to be another ‘wish list' for bands who want everything done for them and don't want to raise a finger themselves in response.  Let's keep with what we have got – it seems to work pretty well doesn't it?

John Carter
Nelson

A good idea? 

4BR's article on a Champions League format for the Europeans is a good idea, and may rescue a contest that after the disaster of Birmingham is in desperate need of overhaul.

The BFBB did try their best, but shouldn't be in the contest promotion game and could now find itself with a huge loss to cover for their efforts. It was a disaster waiting to happen and showed that the only appetite for the hosting of the contest seems to be in countries that have the proper infrastructure to host it such as Norway.  

Liam Connor
Bristol 

Gold, Silver, Bronze
 
In response to several comments made regarding the allocation of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards at the recent National Youth Championships perhaps I can help to clarify the situation.

The three awards indicate the level of performance achieved by a given band. The fact that all three bands in the Schools Band section were awarded Gold medals indicates the very high level of performance reached by each band. It merely remains for the adjudicators to decide their order of preference.

This system has been in use at the National Concert Band Festival for many years, the only difference being that in the event of more than one band achieving a Gold award there is no further separation required, ie.2 or more bands have achieved Gold medal standard. This is entirely within the ethos of a music festival rather than a contest.

I hope this helps.

Gavin Lindsay.

PS The exact criteria for each level of performance is clearly indicated on the criteria sheet that each band receives on entry to any National Concert Band Festival.

Time for Euro change

I didn't get manage to get to the Euroepans as that would have been two brass band weekends away in May with Cambridge coming up (PS congrats to the organisers for arranging the Cambridge Beer Festival for the same dates!), but a couple of comments re the Europeans...although not on this years contest.
 
Is it time for the EBBA to change the rule allowing up to 35 players in uniform to play at the contest and go more closely to the 25 plus perc allowed in the UK? The days where this rule is required are way behind us now and while bands may not be using this rule it is time for it to go!
 
The English Bands had a lovely system for qualification...it was called the British National Championships and all the countries top bands competed in the qualifying or final stages. Even sponsored bands recognise the prohibitive costs of contesting, travel, conductors, hotels, lemonades after performing.....so why did it change! If we go back we can be sure that the best English band on that day will qualify, rather than the crrent more restricted group who appear at the English Championships!
 
And while the record is stuck.......3 bands playing the same test piece (which I happen to like by the way.....) surely there is enough music out there to have each band playing a different piece?
 
James J Corrigan

Thanks Roy and Markus

In an age where these people come under increased scrutiny and very often criticism I would like to congratulate Dr. Roy Newsome and Markus Bach on their adjudication at The National Youth Championships.

Dr. Newsome explained to the bands and audience the process they had used to come to their decision, which was to write their comments individually and then at the end of each performance discuss the merits of those performances and decide on a placing. As Dr Newsome pointed out, two sets of ears are better than one and one adjudicator may pick up on something that the other one has missed.

As for individual bands I can not comment but my band Lions Youth, who received a silver award, received encouraging comments and also gave me as conductor comments to indicate I was preparing the band in the correct manner, understood the music, and also in the case of Markus Bach, gave me advice on how to improve the band, so thanks to both adjudicators.

Finally congratulations to Camborne on a great achievement.
 
Nigel Birch
Musical Director
Lions Youth Brass

Well done Cornwall

On behalf of the President, Chairman, Executive Committee and Member Bands of the South West Brass Band Association, sincere congratulations to the musical directors and players of the Camborne Youth, St Dennis Youth and Mount Charles Youth Bands in gaining the major honours in the Community Championship of the National Youth Championships held last weekend. 

You are all a credit not only to brass banding in the South West, but also to the movement worldwide.

Brian Elliott
Secretary
South West Brass Band Association

Brass band uniforms
 
In reply to Stephen Didcott's comments about brass band uniforms I'll be more blunt.
 
People love brass bands, young or old, whether they admit it or not, they find the sound of a band evocative and pleasant.
 
I've played in bands for 30 years now, the odd thing is (I disagree slightly with Stephen) that the audiences seemd to have stayed the same age for those 30 years. Maybe something happens to the auditory centres of the brain on your 55th birthday and you wake up tapping your feet to the floral dance? One things for sure, the 55 year olds of today probably have more expectations when it comes to entertainment than the 55 year olds of 30 years ago.
 
It's the sound that connects - so why do we dress up so stupidly?
 
Most bands have adopted the "lion-tamer" military style uniform for stage wear. Probably tailor made for personel no longer in the band. We seem oblivious of the fact that we look stoopid. Military style uniforms look great on fit, well toned bodies. They look ridiculous on the beer-gutted overweight and/or skinny non-uniform body shapes of the average brass band.
 
I was at an (un-named) village event last week. The local band put up a fair performance - a credit to the movement - however, they looked daft. Most looked as though they were wearing someone elses jacket (they probably were), no one's trousers matched in colour or style and most had clumpy, dusty shoes on that in no way suited the uniform. I turned to my wife and asked "Does our band look like that?". She rolled her eyes heavenward but I already knew the answer.
 
As for the "bus driver" walking out gear - that's exactly what we all look like. Not that there's anything wrong with bus drivers of course.
 
Bands - wake up. Sharpen up the image. Let's break the stereotypic mould. Our audiences love the music but we look like jokes.
 
James Cooper 
Bournemouth Concert Brass.

Can we filter out the foreign bands? 

Love the site, but would it be possible to put a filter on the Rankings to just list the order of British bands? I know that's not politically correct, but in practice the vast majority of our contests are against other British bands so it would make comparing our rankings easier.

Pete Arden

4BR Reply:
You can filter to each region Peter, but its really not that hard to pick out what bands are what, and they are world rankings remember.

Why the Hepworth drop?
 
A query about the rankings just out of interest. How have Hepworth managed to slip 3 places to go below Reg Vardy and Desford, since the last update?

The rankings seem to have an effect on invites for events like Brass in Concert, and sometimes they leave me a little confused!

H. Brown
South Yorks

4BR Reply:
As always we would refer you to the full explanation of the 4BR World of Brass rankings on the site. It does help!

As with football, so with bands...

I note with interest the results of the European Championships. British brass bands were once the best in the world but I see we're losing our grip. I suppose it had to happen. Football, Cricket ……….
 
Roger Pearcey.
Suffolk.

Fodens fourth?

Fodens to come fourth ?? Methinks that is out of order.

The band is one of the best bands in the world, so how can you predict that they will finish behind 2 European bands?

Ian Tinsley

4BR Reply:
Not just us this time Ian

One errata too many 

One errata for the Europeans is bad enough, but two is just a joke. Why is this publisher still in business?

Don't the bands feel disgusted that they have bought a copy, found out it is completely unplayable and are told to fix the errors themselves? Why won't the publisher send corrected copies to the bands (free of charge of course.)? Ah, of course, they'll lose money! Well that's what happens when publishers do things nilly-willy.

Aren't you afraid Mr Ellerby will take his music elsewhere, because if I were him, I would! Thank goodness I publish my own music!

Sorry for the rant, but this situation is unacceptable and it's about time the bands fight back and get FREE replacement copies.

James McFadyen

Last Orders, Ladies and Gentlemen, Please!

About ten years ago, one of the brass band movement's most successful conductors (and a Professional musician of great repute) said to me, "Stephen, a brass band's target audience are WOOFs". Looking at him quizzically, he continued, "Well Off Over Fifties". Then I understood.

Now I am over fifty, I look amongst my (non-banding) friends and I see lots of "WOOFs" but very few who appreciate brass band music.

So, maybe today a brass band's target audience are "WOOSs – Well off over Sixties"

Of course, the clutch of (so called) ‘top' brass bands are able to pad out their auditoria with supporters who themselves are brass band players. But it is only at Yuletide, that brass bands suddenly awaken from their hibernation. Grass roots brass bands, up and down the land, become prime real estate for three weeks as the whole nation envelops itself into a Dickensian idealistic world of carol singing, mince pie eating, snow ball throwing, Christmas tree decorating and the sound of a brass band playing carols. 

Are brass bands perceived as being part of that Dickensian world?

What will be a brass band's target audience in 30 years time, when the zimmer frame will not quite make it to the concert hall?

Eventually, that target audience will be dead and what will then secure the future for our movement 52 weeks of the year? Contesting?

Even though most of us are addicted to the noble sport of band contesting, can there be a single brass band that can genuinely declare a financial profit (against all associated costs) from band contesting?

Do we dress to appeal to new audiences? 

I am reminded of that very famous ‘Smash Potato' TV ad, when the Martians discover earth and laugh at the sight of earthlings making mash potato? What would they say if they were to descend on Kensington in October?

Head Martian: "They gather in groups dressed up as bus conductors".
Group response: "Ha, Ha".

Head Martian: "They then dress up as lion tamers. But they do not tame lions, they blow into shiny tubes and make interesting sounds".
Group response: "Ha, Ha, Ha".

Head Martian: "Strangely, they do not listen to their friends playing their shiny tubes, but change back into bus conductors, drink lots of liquid and become very loud".
Group response: "Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha"
 
Head Martian: "And they call this pastime "musical entertainment".
Group response: "HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA".

If there is to be a secure future for our British brass band movement we need to stop looking at each other's navels, look outwardly and modernise to connect with an audience that are long-term appreciators of brass music.

Believe me, there is a very enthusiastic audience, who are still and will always be "Woofs", who appreciate brass music but not as brass bands have delivered it for the last 100 years.

Time, Ladies and Gentlemen, Please!

Stephen Didcott,
Verwood
Dorset

A new direction for 4BR...

Whilst perusing our remarks after qualifying for the National Finals in the 1st section this year (North west Area), the band thought of a really worthwhile new service that 4barsrest could offer its many worldwide readers……………..
 
Translating adjudicators remarks !!!!!!!!
 
We are certain they must all have been Doctors in a past life.
 
Andy M Moore
BBb Tuba player in the Poulton Band

Brass workshops?

Does anyone know of any brass or wind workshops that would take a 16 and a 19 year old musician? We have looked everywhere and cannot find anything suitable! Thanks.

Barry Mair

Disgusting report

I have just been reading the retrospective for the Schools section in the 2007 National Youth Championships and was disgusted about the way that it was reported on.
 
As an ex-player in Wardle Youth Band who has just left the school in the past 12 months, I can assure 4barsrest that all the players present on the stage with Wardle Youth Band last Sunday are present pupils at the school, so why did Iwan Fox (4barsrest reporter) spend two paragraphs waffling about the rule regarding past-pupils under 19??
 
Furthermore, how would Mr Fox suggest that a different rule be enforced, in which players MUST be present pupils at one of the competing schools? Perhaps players would have to send in some ID to prove that they are in fact still at the schools…but wouldn't this just be an unnecessary waste of time? Why not just let the young people, pat pupils and present pupils alike make their fantastic music and stop the unnecessary whining about the rules?
 
And as for the three Golds…well I can make an assumption about how this system works.
 
An adjudicator must give a set number of points to award either a Bronze, Silver or Gold Certificate to each competing band. These certificates reflect their standard of playing regardless of who they are competing with. The fact that all three bands in that section were awarded Gold, indicated that the music of all three bands was of a very high standard regardless of the results, and should therefore be proud of themselves!

Why then, did Mr Fox comment that the bands ‘didn't quite deliver it on the day'? It would appear that the adjudicators thought differently and therefore comments like this are inappropriate and uncalled for.
 
And what the hell have Wayne Rooney and Stephen Hawking got to do with any of this? Wayne Rooney is a FOOTBALLER…not a BRASS PLAYER!!!! FOOTBALL and BRASS BAND MUSIC have very different rules! Stephen Hawking is a PHYSICIST… not a BRASS PLAYER!!!
 
These retrospectives should be intended to give people a detailed overview of each competition and to praise, and constructively criticise each of the bands that took part. The tongue-in-cheek comments of Iwan Fox ruined this article completely, as did some of his unfounded comments about the performance of the bands. In future, 4barsrest reporters should seek to accurately report on contests rather than waffling their own opinions.
 
Tom Molyneux
Manchester

March Lorriane?

I'm looking for an arrangement of Ganne's "March Lorraine" for brass band. It may be out of print. Does anybody have a suggestion?

Rick Staherski
Lancaster British Brass Band

The Trumpets?

I wonder if you could help me I'm on a quest to find a recording of Gilbert Vinter's - The Trumpets. I seem to recall the GUS band did one many years ago but other than that I'm not sure. Ideally, if there is one I would like to download it as I now live in Canada.

Hope you can help.

Chris Reed

The downfall of Lawrence!

I'm so pleased that Phil Lawrence has contributed so much to 4barsrest (constantly). He obviously has strong views on many subjects about brass band composing and arranging (mostly directed at himself).

If he spent more time on his "compositions?" and arrangements, rather than inflating his obviously underated ego, mainstsream publishers might well accommodate him. But, I fear, his inability to accept his own mediacroty will, as always, be his eventual downfall.

Roger Thompson

Contact made

I made an urgent appeal  through your comments page earlier this month, for anyone who knew David Jellings to get in contact with myself.

I am letting you know that contact as been made with him  with the appeal i placed on here.
Many Thanks to everyone who helped with  getting in touch with me.

Ian Perks

Reasons behind the disappointment

Regarding your article on the Gala Concert at the European Championships at Symphony Hall. You mentioned that the Hall was only half full. I am sure that it was due, at least in part, because the train system over the bank holiday weekend was very poor.

My party of 10 would have stayed to the Gala Concert, but because we had to return to London the last train left at 9 pm (and that was an expensive Virgin train). In fact there were no trains leaving Birmingham towards the south after 9 pm.

I contacted the organisers beforehand to let them know the problems, but they didn't seem at all concerned and said that if the trains weren't running we should make alternative arrangements. I agree that it isn't the organiser's fault that we have such a poor public transport system, and I am sure the concert was booked long before the work was announced on the trains. However, I am sure this contributed to the poor turnout.

In addition I spoke to a number of very annoyed people that they were not going to hear the results. The tickets for 'The European Championships 2007', priced £20.00, should surely include the announcement of the results.

It seems rather unfair to force people to pay again to attend the results ceremony and one person I spoke to said they would not go to the Gala Concert out of principle. It would have been far better to announce the results at the end of the day, as per the British Open, and have a self contained evening concert including one of the top British Bands.

Simon Blott

Fantastic event

I would like to say how much I enjoyed the championships, and would praise the EBBA and everyone involved on a job well done.

Despite the moans and groans, of people saying that the Gala Night was disappointing, for fifteen quid you could not get a better nights entertainment anywhere, and as for Dave Morris the worlds No 1 whistler, I thought he was different and in his own right I thought he was entertaining.

The most disappointing thing for me was that Birmingham City Council, Staged a European Contest, at one of Europe's most prestigious venues, but where was all the advertising and hype that should have gone with it, nothing on display outside the Hall, nothing on local Radio, nothing in the local newspaper, no posters around the city to advertise, this was not only European contest, but a contest which has far reaching effects through out the world. of brass banding.

For the lack of attendance, that is more than likely, down to the City council, and that was the biggest let down for me How can Birmingham be expected to be the home of any major events if the do not advertise or even blow their own trumpet about what we in Birmingham have got.

Never the less I took a number of people who had never been to the Euro`s before and they stayed all day Saturday, and Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of their £35.00p worth. Here's to Stavangar 2008

Bob Cox

Youngest Player

I think you forgot An Neefs. She was 11 when she first played in the top section of the European contest. She played with Brass band Willebroek.

It should be in 1985 or 1986.

Wouter Van der Brill

Looking for a band
 
I am writing on behalf of a Swiss student attending our language school for three months. He is a trumpet player and is looking for an opportunity to play in a brass band while he is in the city. He is 24 years old and an excellent student. 

Do you have any suggestions of a group that he could play/rehearse with for the next two months?

Tara Embrey
Activities Coordinator
Tara.Embrey@EF.com

4BR Reply:
Can anyone help?

^back to top