Comments ~ 2007: August

ABBA advocates two in the box;surprise at thoughts on adjudication selection and the right band at Headingley.

ABBA's thoughts on two in the box

On behalf of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators I wish to make it known that we have advocated the use of two adjudicators at the Areas and Finals contests for some time.

We do endeavour  to understand the problems that can occur, especially with the number of contests on the same day, but I do have to point out to the Chairman of the N.W, Shirley Woodward, that to infer that there is a ' leader and a follower' when two adjudicators are enclosed in the same box is something of a slight on many adjudicators who have worked together over the years, and does little to enhance the status of contesting in the U.K. in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Derek M. Broadbent , Chairman ABBA

Surprise at adjudication comment

I am amazed to find that the decision to select Simone Rebello as adjudicator for the forthcoming GBBA Own Choice Contest in October has generated comment.

As an association we select our adjudicators from the list issued by the Association of Adjudicators and try to rotate the decision so that we do not have the same person in the box every two or three years. No thought was given to what instrument Simone plays and no one on the association executive felt this was in any way a brave or unusual decision.

We purely selected an adjudicator from the list who had been seen to have performed well in Ammanford, was highly professional and who we had not used before.

This policy worked exceptionally well last year when Philip Harper was in the box.
For those wishing to see if a percussionist is up to the job, we would be only too delighted to welcome you to the Five Acres Theatre in the Forest of Dean on the 14th of October. Tickets are available on the door!

David Harding
Vice Chairman GBBA

Right band name for Headingley

I have just read your article dated 19th August regarding the forthcoming “Brass at the Cricket” concerts at Headingley.

Unfortunately you appear to have been given a little mis-information about the concert on 28th October – it’s not the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain who are playing – it’s Elland Silver Youth Band.

I’m pretty qualified on this one, as my son, Jonathan, is the only player who plays in both bands.I suspect confusion has been caused as Elland Youth won the Junior Section of the National Youth Championship earlier this year.

Graham Bates

Chorale & Variations found

Further to the request of Gordon Brock from New Zealand, I would inform him that I have 2 CD's that include 'Chorale & Variations' by Leighton Lucas. Thay are as follows:
 
'Sovereign Heritage'  Black Dyke Band
Conductor: Roy Newsome
Label: RSR Brass RSRD 1002.
 
'Sounds of Brass Series' - Vol. 5 Black Dyke Band
Conductor: Geoffrey Brand
Label: Decca SB 305.
 
G.D.Dickens.
Calgary, Canada.
 

Creative and inspired Prom 

I was lucky to attend the whole of the Proms brass day. I thought the brass band segment was the highlight, and so did my non-banding (non-partisan!) friend. Especially moving was the performance of Wilby's 'Dove Descending', and what an inspired piece of programming by Nick Childs. This was so moving, in fact, that it brought tears to the eyes of a (rather well-to-do) lady sitting near us. Later I learnt that she had ever before heard a brass band, but "just found the sound thrilling and unbearably moving". What better testament??
 
We sometimes lose sight of the fact that programming is at least as important, if not more important, than the quality of playing we bring to bear, at least from an audience point of view. 'Dove Descending' worked beautifully because, depsite one or two clips, it fully utilised the dramatic environment of the RAH and was sufficiently 'weighty' from an expressive piont of view not to be a let down. It has certainy inspired me to try and be more creative and inspired when programming band concerts - I urge others to do the same. Audiences are not deterred by so-called 'heavy' music if it is presented in the right context and it's good to experiment!
 
Dr. Matthew Pollard
MD, Hangleton Band 

Badly informed

It is sad that your correspondent Phil Symonds is concerned about the lack of information on who the adjudicators for the 2008 North West Regional Championships will be.  Had Mr Symonds been in contact with his band secretary or Mr Bates, he would have had that information.  

Peter Bates our Regional Secretary had been working hard to produce an excellent panel of adjudicators.  The number of suitably qualified adjudicators is not infinite and the job of compiling the panel of adjudicators becomes more and more difficult, as we are now have several Regional Championships taking place on the same weekend.  (Not our fault – we have stuck to the same weekend for several years!)  Mr Bates, as Regional Secretary does not gather a list of names to approach out of thin air, a list of possible adjudicators is drawn up by the Regional Committee which he then follows up.

The North West has always tended to follow the maxim that our adjudicators should come from the list issued by the Association of Adjudicators, thus hopefully, producing a list of adjudicators with the right experience and knowledge.  It also gives us a regulatory body that we can refer any valid complaints to.

As Mr Symonds will be aware, we are fortunate enough to be able to run the North West Regional Championships on one day. With one adjudicator in the box this requires five adjudicators to be engaged.  If we had two in the box, we would require ten.  (No, we can't do with less, as sections in different halls often overlap.)  Given that three other contests held on the same day require two per section that would mean that a minimum of 30 adjudicators would be needed.

The Adjudicators' list has some 59 names on it.  Take away those adjudicators who are either playing or conducting bands on the day, on holiday or are sick, it does not leave much room for any personal likes or dislikes (and every one of us has those we don't want to adjudicate our band!). 

Secondly costs.  Is Mr Symonds aware that the costs of extra adjudicators would have to be passed on to the bands or the audience.  It is estimated that bands would have to pay something in the region of £100 per band to cover all costs.  We are led to believe that this is the cost that are incurred by some bands in other regions whether it be by paying for bandsmans tickets or paying to go into hear other sections etc.  There is no such thing as a free lunch!

In any contest using two adjudicators in one box, there is usually a leader and a follower.  The only way to prevent that is to have two adjudicators in separate boxes.  This would entail the purchase of extra boxes.  Again, who is to pay for them?  There is only one source for that money!  Also, how many halls have space for two adjudicators’ boxes, let alone who is going to transport and store them?

Given all this information, the Regional Committee decided that we would stick to one adjudicator per section for 2008 as have three other Regions!    If Mr Symonds is not happy with the decisions made by the Regional Committee, may I ask him to come to the AGM which is open to all North West bands and even get himself elected on to the Committee, we are always happy to have new members who, no doubt, can do better than we can! 

In the mean time should your correspondent require any information about the North West Regional Championships, he should have the courtesy to pick up the phone or write to our Regional Secretary.  He will be only too happy to answer queries but he will not do so on the internet.

Finally, Mr Symonds will be pleased to know that our adjudicators for 2009 have already been booked and announced to our bands.

Shirley Woodward
Chairman - North West Regional Committee 

Less moaning and more thanks 

Phil Symonds wrote recently saying: "A lot of people in the North West are very concerned about who will end up in the box for the Area Contest in 2008 as all the 'good guys' have been allocated elsewhere! I am getting very concerned about the lack of effort to organise Adjudicators/s for the North West Area Contest for 2008."
 
Well firstly, I'm not sure about "a lot of people". I don't know anyone who gives a monkey's in August about the adjudicator for a contest next March - seven months away. In any case, just because it hasn't been announced publicly doesn't mean it hasn't been dealt with. I'd also be interested to know who he classes as "the good guys" - presumably there is a list of acceptable adjudicators somewhere? 

Since there are (to my knowledge) only two other areas with a maximum of 3 sections playing on the same day as the North West that means that there are 6 adjudicators booked elsewhere. Even if there were to be a different adjudicator in each section the North West would only need 5, for a single day. Are there really less than a dozen acceptable adjudicators? In the world? Blimey.

Also, as far as I know, no band has formally asked for more than one adjudicator. Certainly a majority haven't, and even if they did the neccesary increase in entrance fees and ticket prices would probably induce another complaint. I remember hearing one guy roundly abuse the Winter Gardens staff for charging him £8 to get in - this, remember, for an ALL DAY ticket to all 5 sections. Imagine the fuss if it went up to £15 or £20 to fund another 5 judges!
 
What concerns me more is that I suspect 4BR's comments page was the first port of call for Mr Symonds complaint. Has he actually asked Peter, or anyone on the NW committee about this? Has he attended any of the meetings to represent his band or stood for office as a committee member himself? I freely admit I haven't, so Mr S may be a staunch attender for all I know.

I just worry that I regularly see letters from irate, purple-faced banders "demanding" this or that from their area committee, who work in their own free time for no pay for the good of the banding world in general. Let's not forget they are doing us a favour. I'm sure Peter and the rest of the North West team would welcome an offer of help, maybe even making a few phone calls to those few eminent adjudicators that are still available?
 
I suspect this is more like the latest round in the banding tradition of "having a pop at the area committee". Unfortunately, I don't have any spare time to help the area committee, but they have my unending gratitude and admiration for the hard work they do - let's not forget 2006 when they kept all 5 sections running more-or-less on time despite Blackpool getting hit by heavy snow on the morning of the contest.

A bit less moaning and a few more thanks are perhaps in order.
 
Andrew Baker 

Poor conduct 

I have not been associated with Brass Bands, for some time, and now the reason why!

"Meadgate"  and comments complaints made from competing bands  .........maybe ONE band sewing a seed here....Pause to think who?.  I happen to respect what Meady is all about and what he's trying to do with brass bands, very futuristic. The deck chair days around the bandstand in the park are history, I'm afraid to say.

## edited - see below ##
 
"Whit Friday Shenanigins"   .....  a poor reflection on top section bands in general, I think, perhaps ONE band comes to mind    ......... (Pause to think who? ).
 
As I recall there were not many "Top" section bands out Whit Friday night.

Definitely not Brighouse; Brighouse are a fine band, and a proud Yorkshire Band of lads. Everybody's favourite. The very same B&R who enter into the spirit of Whit Friday, clad in their traditional policeman style tunics. True characters and a class act, the spectators love to see them.

Very sorry to say in both cases, I can only think of one band, which have in the past, and continue to be, disruptive at times to me.

I refer to the Sandbach brigade that go by the name of Fodens, not a very sporting group of individuals in my book. There are certain individuals there, who spoil the good reputation of The Fodens Motor Works Band image. 

At the end of the day Foxy (4BR Editor), you ask for my comments and they are very much my comments. It disgusts me to see how such conduct is allowed to continue. Men O' Brass indeed. Harry Mortimer would turn in his grave.

Phil Fox 

4BR Reply:
We have removed one paragraph from this comment as we believe it to be too personal.

A strange invitation? 

I was just wondering about this article on the news desk, that Grimethorpe has accepted the invitation for the EBBC in Stavanger. That doesn't make sense to me.

Why did they need an invitation if they were qualified anyway after having won the English nationals?

Thanks for you answer.

Domi Brügger

4BR Reply:
As we understand it, it is up to the National Association of each EBBA member country to nominate its representative for the European - winning the English National did not automatically qualify Grimethorpe for the contest but allowed the British Federation to nominate them as their representataives. Strange we know, but that's what happens. 

Choral and Variations anyone? 

I would very much like to obtain a recording of "Chorale and Variations" possibly by Leighton Lucas but I am not sure of the composer. It features a variation titled "Habanera" - a duet between first and second troms.
 
Do any of your readers know of any available recording?
 
Gordon Brock
New Zealand

Buyer beware!

Having read your latest review of the three student tenor horns I too wondered about just how similar the Rosetti was to the Yamaha in design when I had a look at the two of them a few months ago. 

I was in the process of buying a new instrument for our daughter and checked out all the options I could before I eventually opted for the Yamaha too.  The choices available today are so great that I asked around and then opted for quality rather than price.  The Rosetti did leave me thinking that perhaps a bit of blatant Chinese ‘copying’ had been going on.

I would suggest potential buyers beware before they are tempted at what may appear a great deal – just look what has been happening with the Chinese toy manufacturers in the recent days. 

Cheap can mean very nasty if you are not careful.

Peter Jacobs 

Why only the one in a box in the North West?

A lot of people in the North West are very concerned about who will end up in the box for the Area Contest in 2008 as all the 'good guys' have been allocated elsewhere!
I am getting very concerned about the lack of effort to organise Adjudicators/s for the North West Area Contest for 2008.

As yet, we have no idea who it will be, and, all the ‘best qualified ones’ (as in a good track record), have been allocated. Looking on 4BR, quite a few have been arranged, some, months ago. Also, as I understand, in the North West, we are only allowed one adjudicator in the box.

This is very strange as other areas have two! Mr Peter Bates, PLEASE sort this out! 

Phil Symonds

Why the problem with percussionists as judges?

It's interesting that a percussionist adjudicating at a Brass Band contest should invoke the bit of controversy that it has. 

Some of the best arrangers, particularly in big band, jazz etc. have been percussionists.   Alan Ganley for example, a self taught drummer, born 1933.  As well as being a great percussionist Alan is also an arranger of some note having done some brilliant arrangements for the BBC Radio Big Band.   Without developing an immense understanding of the various instruments, their nuances and capabilities his achievements as an arranger would not have been possible.   The same honed skills that we need of adjudicators. 

It seems, that the argument centres more round the instrument(s) being played as a basis of qualification rather than the musical ability and knowledge of the individual concerned.    

Taken to an illogical conclusion we ought to draw some sort of chart where one's suitability to adjudicate, or perhaps even comment on an adjudication, placing etc., is ranked according what instrument one played and possibly what position and with what band.    This, of course is nonsense.   

p.s. only replies from Solo Cornet at YBS, Black Dyke, Brighouse, Scottish Co-op or perhaps Grimethorpe will be entertained.    Damn, just occurred to me, never having played with any of those bands I shouldn't have bothered commenting.    

Talk about Catch 22 

Angus Naples

Who is the conductor?

Enjoying the new features lads! Just a small point though. Who is the conductor in the very small picture you use for the 4BR Time Team feature?

I think it’s Alex Owen, but it’s hard to tell. My friends in the band think it may be either William Rimmer or Fred Mortimer. Can you enlighten us?

Ian Stretton
Horsham

4BR Reply:
Sorry to disappoint you Ian but it is not Alex Owen or anyone from the great mists of time. It is in fact John Childs, father of Nicholas and Robert Childs. Along with the players of Tredegar Band he was dressed to play the part of the conductor of the famous Cyfartha Band from Merthyr Tydfil for a television programme in the mid 1970’s called ‘Off to Philadelphia in the Morning” about the composer Joseph Parry. The picture was made to look ‘authentic’ for a record cover called ‘Bound in Brass’ made by the band in 1976!

Sad day for Scottish banding

It was a sad day in Scottish banding when Peter Fraser resigned as president from the Scottish brass band association. Peter has worked his socks off and was 100% committed to the association.  

Peter is a genuine character and one that as a friend and fellow bander I am proud to say I know.  As someone who has dedicated his life to the voluntary sector and received honours from the Queen for his hard work I am disappointed that he felt he had to resign from the association.

He has now left a space, which will be incredibly hard to fill. Those in the association know the work that Peter did, sometimes without assistance or much sleep, to organise major events. Peter all I can say is thanks for what you achieved as president of the association and the association’s loss is Kirkie bands gain.

Bart Simonis
The Kirkintilloch Band 

The first female Man O'  Brass

Just read in 4barsrest about Men 'O Brass playing at Butlins. 

Thought I should tell you that my wife Rita was one of the first female cornet soloists with the band in De Montfort Hall Leicester in the early fifties.

Rita Cook was daughter of Charlie Cook who was soprano cornet with Fodens band for 30 years. She regularly played duets with Harry Mortimer in the old Post Office which his first wife Annie had in Sandbach.

One of the pieces she played was ‘Il Bacio’, and she remembers her father driving to the gig when one of the car's wheels came off and went passed them, then he realised it was off their car.
 
David James 

Looking for Curnow 

I am looking for a recording of the ‘Sinfonietta for Brass Band’ by James Curnow.

I was wondering if you know who has done it. I was told Desford brass band had done it.

Philip Goodall 

4BR Reply:
We haven't got it, so can anyone help?

Ringtones anyone?

Do you know of any sites for brass band ringtones?
   
Ronnie Copeland 

4BR Reply:
Haven't a clue and to tell you the truth Ronnie, we wonder why anyone would want one that doesn't sound like a phone anyway...

Support for Simone

I would just like to make a comment regarding Simone Rebello adjudicating at forthcoming contest in Gloucestershire. 

I must support Steve Walkely's comments on this matter. Simone adjudicated a contest in Ammanford, West Wales in October last year, and she carried out her duties in a highly professional manner, as you would expect from someone who is one of the countries top musicians, irrespective of what instrument she plays.

Yes, I'm biased as she awarded the band I conducted first prize, but I hope that I'm objective enough to know when a person is up to the task, irrespective of their views on my bands performance, and I have no doubts that Simone will be adjudicating at the highest level very soon,

Kerry Bowden
M.D. Cross Keys Silver Band

Nice idea but what about the Woodbines?

I like the idea of trying to recreate the atmosphere and surroundings of the old Kings Hall at Belle Vue with your idea of placing the bands in the middle of the arena at the Royal Albert Hall.

The only problem would be that we wouldn’t have all the old terrible smoke we used to have from a thousand Woodbines being lit up as soon as a band played (despite the place being mainly made of wood itself). And what about the queue’s that we had to enter the hall – could that ever be recreated?

All in all a great idea but nothing could ever replicate the atmosphere of the old place, it was truly unique!

David Bennett

Deps - Top bands have only themselves to blame

The article on deps charging inflated fees was interesting. I have been helping out bands for over 30 years without payment; however things changed as a result of two recent experiences. 

The first was when I helped out a championship section band at a small towns gala day, this involved a 30 mile round trip, and as I have a 2.5 litre car, I was going to charge them ten quid. I found out at the interval that the band had paid another player £50 (he wasn’t even a soloist and also made several mistakes) When they asked me how much I wanted I said "I’ll have the same as him.''

The final one was when I agreed to go to 15 practices, sign on, and play at the area with a sponsored championship band, this band had 12 borrowed players, signed on, and none had any intention of joining the band. We were all paid £200 apart from one leading brass band celebrity who received £1000 for 2 practices and the contest.

So now I don t feel guilty when I charge sponsored bands, they have only themselves to blame in cases like this.
 
Stuart Haigh
Barnsely 
 

What is a good band?

I feel that I must qualify my recent item on ' what is a good band?' 

I had no idea that such paranoia existed within our hobby, though they do say that if you throw a cap enough times, someone will wear it and claim compensation for it making their head sweat!  My point was never directed at any specific individual or band, purely at the lack of guidance that adjudicators remarks give, following a major contest. Too often the remarks for the last-placed band are as positive as those for the first three!  Why?

This leads on to my comment about dumbing-down. Bands are now finding themselves in the position of not being able to fill solo seats. As a result, many individuals from lower down the ranks are promoted to the solo seats, commendable in action, but detrimental to the long-term quality of banding. 

I know that some people will be scandalised at this suggestion, but they will be those individuals who have gained these promotions, not the natural soloists in our movement. Yes, I know that you are going to respond with examples of outstanding individuals, doing sterling jobs without blemish, but the fact is, you do not become a soloist by promotion, your natural talent makes you one! 

If you put the monkey in charge of the organ, it does not then become the organ grinder!  If you put a corporal in charge of your nation's affairs- as Germany did in he 1930's, then do not be surprised if he/she leads you to their natural destination, rather than that of a true elder statesman. 

This is not just a pointless rant for self-gratification, we really are creating our own problems in society and the constant dumbing-down and making do, is like a blight on our whole being, and is manifesting itself openly in the blind and deluded attitude of individuals within banding. 

Yes. Encourage individuals through tutoring and good training but please, stop telling us all that we are great- because sooner or later, we will all start to believe it and forget that we need the soldiers to be led by the generals, not the corporals amongst us!  Get some realism back into our hobby before we all implode into our own sanctimonious delusions and self-gratifications. 

Mark Smith 
Walsall

Thanks everyone
 
Thanks to everyone from myself and Rachael to the Longridge Brass Band of Preston who I was honored to conduct at their annual Summer Proms Concert at the Civic Hall in Longridge in July, it was great to work with the band again.
 
I am now back in Oman and although I had limited access to the internet whilst on leave I could not access any emails that were sent to darrol@darrolbarry.net , if you had been in contact with me over the last 2 months on this address would you be kind enough to email again and I will get straight back to you.
 
Sorry for any inconvenience.
 
Darrol Barry

Half empty glass at the Proms

Oh dear. Your glass is very much half empty rather than half full, isn't it? (Editorial: Proms Promotion) 

You would think that an audience of 4,000 for a brass band performance would be a matter for celebration, but instead you devote your editorial to bemoaning the apparent lack of bandsmen at the event.  As a performer, I think I would much rather have an audience of any size who had turned up to enjoy the music, rather than one which had turned up merely as a gesture of 'brotherly solidarity'.

It must also be remembered that this was Brass Day at the Proms, not Band Day.  The bands, fine though they were, were only a part of the event.  You describe the bands as 'ambassadors', as if they were visiting emissaries from a foreign land.  Sadly, that is indeed how many in the musical mainstream regard bands.  Calls for 'solidarity' amongst bandsmen only reinforces the perception of bands by the mainstream as an introspective clique, as does the contention that Black Dyke and Grimethorpe were 'representing' bandsmen at large.  They were no more representing other bandsmen than the violin and cello players of the BBC Philharmonic were representing other string players across the country.

I was there in the arena on Saturday.  I went with five other people, none of whom are bandsmen (and from conversations overheard, neither was anyone else around us).  But they were all deeply impressed by the day as a whole, and the bands in particular. The brass band medium made new friends on Saturday, and Dyke and Grimethorpe seemed to be getting on just fine without the support of the banding masses.  Definitely a cause for celebration, I'd say.

Keep up the good work!

Jim Yelland
Hinckley

Where were we? I'll tell you where!

So, "where were all the regular brass band supporters" etc for the afternoon Proms concert? 

Perhaps you've answered the question yourself in your article on paying deps, ie. "In the last few weeks bands all over the country have been wading through fields and parks, fetes and carnivals, outdoor and indoor concerts trying to raise hard earned funds to help them survive the rest of the year."

We can't all attend or play at prestigious events. The majority of us have to make do with a small audience but for a guaranteed fee if we are lucky. Do you have to persist in knocking everyone who doesn't have the same thought processes as you? I'm fully aware you're entitled to your own opinions, the objection I have is the assumption that your opinion is the only correct one.

Linda Whitaker

New breed of mercenary

Well done 4BR for highlighting the increasing problem of mercenary deps asking for ‘over the odds’ expenses. 

Having played for a number of bands over the years I have found that many of the new breed of students (those who believe they are professional musicians just because they are taking a music course of some type) are the worse offenders.

Hopefully bands will show them the door with a quick kick in the backside – the brass band movement can do without them. 

John White
Birmingham

Small misapprehension

May I correct a small misapprehension in Peter Bale’s review of the latest ISB CD (Supremacy)? “Marching to Zion” (see City of God), is not in fact a Salvation Army song. While it appears in the SA Song Book with verses by William J. Pearson, the music, and words of the refrain, are by Robert Lowry, who was a Baptist minister in the USA. I believe the more widely used verses are those by Isaac Watts, “Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known”.  

I was reminded of this last year while attending a local theatre production of the play “Crowns”, where the song was sung by an all-black cast.

Brian Bowen
Sarasota, Florida

Situations vacant

I know that you already have an excellent vacancies section on your site, but why don't you have a section for available individuals looking for a band? I am sure that there are many individuals out there looking for an appropriate forum to express their availability?  I am also sure that a nominal registration fee would be acceptable. Just a thought! 

Mark Smith
Walsall

4BR Reply:
A good one too. Plenty to think about for us...

Lost opportunity

I am very grateful for Iwan Fox's article on the 20th Promenade Concert held at the Royal Albert Hall.  I decided to listen to the concert on Radio 3.   

Having persevered through the first 30 minutes in the hope that either Black Dyke or Grimethorpe would play, I am afraid that I almost lost the will to live and simply had to switch off.  I wonder just how many others did the same thing?  I am sure that I am not alone in feeling that, for brass bands at least, this concert was a lost opportunity.
 
Peter Hargreaves
Mellor
Stockport 

Long but enjoyable

As someone who couldn’t attend the Brass Day at the Royal Albert Hall, I was grateful to 4BR for such an enjoyable report on the day, especially after I did take the time to listen to the live broadcast on the radio. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the contribution of Grimethorpe and Black Dyke and was even more impressed after reading the 4BR review and seeing the numbers of people that were attracted to the event.

I must also agree with the observation about the ‘Floral Dance’ being used on the radio broadcast – a lazy bit of stereotyping on what was otherwise a well balanced programme.

It was a long afternoon of listening but very enjoyable – the only pity was as you said, the BBC still didn’t feel it good enough to out on the television.

Leigh Knowles
Manchester 

Disappointing review

I was quite disappointed with your review of the BBC Proms that took place this weekend.

I think that it was brilliant that the BBC decided to invite brass bands again and to celebrate a whole day (two Proms & a masterclass in the morning) of brass as a whole is fantastic. Describing the students & the BBC Philharmonic Brass section as 'rather scruffy (and possibly under rehearsed) performance', in my opinion, is rather unfair - I felt that they played exceptionally well and the audience seemed to appreciate it!

It is a great honour for most of the people who played in that ensemble to be playing at a Prom (not many people can claim this, let alone brass players) and to be described as a 'disappointment' not only reflects badly on them but on the brass band movement - no longer it has taken the BBC so long to re-invite brass bands back to perform!

You also failed to report on Prom 21 which was paired up with Prom 20. It features many more students than Prom 20 and also a fantastic trumpet recital from Håkan Hardenberger which would have fascinated any brass player.

I just feel that, especially when the BBC have chosen to include brass as a feature, we should not alienate them by saying how badly they performed and rather than shooting down our young players, we should congratulate them on being invited to play at the most prestigious occasion probably of their careers.
 
Lizzie Stallybrass 

Prom success for Dyke and Grimethorpe

Well done Black Dyke and Grimethorpe. The Prom was a real success and well worth the wait after all these years!

Congratulations to both conductors also and especially David Thornton and Kevin Crockford who were stars in their own right on the day. The evening Prom was another enjoyable occasion although the lack of a brass band input didn’t make it as memorable for me as the afternoon. Both bands should be proud of their efforts.

Jean Glover 

Percussionist in the box - what a brave decision!

My word,  that's a brave but potentially contentious choice of adjudicator for the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Contest in October  -  Simone Rebello,  a percussionist.  I'm sure that will be a source of debate in bandrooms up and down the county.
 
But why not?  Simone is an exceptional and very experienced musician by anyone’s standards,  with a good deal of experience of performing with first class brass bands and conductors.  Percussion has for a long time been an integral part of the brass band so percussionists at least can look forward to some reliable and informed critique at this contest.
 
And, as I've always felt, adjudication is about the appreciation and understanding of a musical performance and the same basic principles (ensemble, tuning, intonation, balance, etc.) apply whatever kind of instrumental ensemble you may be listening to.  It isn't necessary to have an intimate working knowledge of all the instruments you are listening to in order to know if they are being played well or not, individually and collectively, is it? A good musician should recognise and be able to identify any performance faults, or merits, pass constructive comment about them, and work out which band has best met the musical challenges  - in their opinion.
 
At the end of the day that's what contesting is about  - subjecting your band's performance on a particular day to the opinion of a particular adjudicator, accepting the result with good grace,  and, win or lose,  going back to work on Monday morning with your life completely unchanged because of the result.  And believe me, that applies whether its a local Association Contest or the British Open. 
 
Adjudication is not and never will be an exact science  - contesting isn't as clear cut as how many goals scored or first past the post,  and personal and "professional" musical opinion will always play a large part in it.  Different day, different adjudicator, different result  - such is life.  So good luck Simone and the GBBA and here's wishing all concerned a good days contesting.  Long, long time since I took part in that contest. Happy days and good memories.
 
Steve Walkley
Tunbridge Wells 

A girl from Men O Brass
 
With reference to Stuart Morgan’s enquiry concerning Catherine Howells, she and her parents are friends of mine and I once accompanied them to one of Harry Mortimer’s Men O Brass concerts where she played brilliantly. 

 I am not in frequent contact but having met them recently at a concert given by my band, Jackfield Elcock Reisen, we had a brief opportunity to catch up. She is now married with a couple of kids and living near Wolverhampton. Not long after her stints with Men O Brass she gave up solo work but continued playing a quartet consisting of another cornet player, myself on euphonium and her father playing trombone.

This petered out eventually due to other commitments of mine and I believe she pretty well gave up playing cornet except for an occasional Remembrance day bugle call for her local British Legion parade. I gather that she is teaching piano but does only a little cornet playing with a local voluntary band at the RAF Cosford base.
 
Tony Hartley 

What makes a good band?

What makes a good band?  The recent adverts on 4barsrest suggest that even some of the most respected bands are struggling to fill seats.

Witnessing some performances at the recent area contest, it is clear that some bands are having to make-do, and field bands with obvious weaknesses within their ranks. However, it is also clear that this is not preventing some from still achieving success - and it beggars the question, why?  Is this in-line with the national trend to 'dumb-down', reflected within the media? 

Are adjudicators happy to allow winning performances to contain missing solo lines and technical inaccuracies?  Are we expecting too little as an audience?  Yes, I know that there are outstanding individual players out there, happy to be 'a big wheel within a little machine', but that does not explain why some extremely average performances are resulting in contest wins.

Of course, if we are lucky enough to be amongst the winners, the euphoria is enough to justify our result, but are we really the 'best band'?  I know that this is re-opening the adjudication debate from a different perspective, but if we do not get some realism into banding, we are going to end up like the football league, pretending to be good enough for the premiership but actually kidding only ourselves.  Adjudicators need to be more honest in their comments; too often the remarks suggest that a last-place result was actually good enough to win - why? 

Do they think that it will destroy our morale to be told the honest truth about our playing?  If a player misses an important solo line, identify it.  If the tempos are all over the place, say so. If the sound is like a collective of castrated bull-elephants, 'trumpet' your real thoughts, stop patronising the bands.

Yes, I know about political correctness and the fact that we should not say what we think, in case it hurts peoples feelings, but it is now becoming fact that we are indifferent to the truth and prefer to have our egos massaged.  We need to get back to strong, factual adjudication, devoid of emotive responses and strong on supporting the composers' intentions.

If a soloist is not up-to-scratch, say so, don't send him/her away without some reference to the need to improve, concentrate, or move down for a better player!  If we are to trust the adjudication system in our movement, we need to trust the integrity of the individual judges to be fair and most of all. honest!

Mark Smith 

Doris Banks?

Please can anyone shed some lighht on a lovely lady called Doris Banks?
 
She worked for the British Mouthpeice for a number of years and was the wife of the well known George Banks. Both had associations with Wingates and Goodhaw Bands and I believe that they may have moved to South Wales to live.

I would appreciate if anyone kows where they are as we would love to meet up with them again as a family.

Brian D. Rostron
Tel: 01977 648482 
Mob: 07774685681

Perseverence doesn't pay off at the Proms

 ABBA adovactes two in the box

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