Comments ~ 2009: February

The start of the regionals, money talks, say it like it is, Grimey finished and more, as we take the high road to Blackpool this weekend...

Regional coverage

I see Mr Fox has been enjoying himself again. I never thought I would be laughing at a brass band article as much as I did with his ‘Salute to what Youth?’ on the regional coverage.

Very droll, and I suspect a little too close for comfort.

I also agree about the speed of the last movement. Too many bands will play it far too quickly to be heard properly over the next few weeks.

Peter Marsh
Lincoln

Youth culture

Great coverage as usual lads – I especially liked the articles on the current health of the regions and the look at today’s youth culture.

Don’t know about some of the dodgy predictions mind you for the North West Regional Championships.

Leigh & Helen Davies 

Money talks?

Interesting facts about the conductors and how many bands they are taking.

I wonder? Does the number equate to the amount of money some will be paid and not really to their chances of actually winning.

Call me a cynic…

Lyndon Evans 

No MD squabble

I thought you might be interested to know that Lostock Hall Memorial Band will field no less than 4 MDs in the NW Area on Sunday! 

No there will not be a squabble - 3 former MDs will be playing.
 
Graham 

Say it like it is

Just a quick note to thank Iwan Fox for his CD review of the latest Black Dyke releases. 

Thank goodness someone out there is saying it like it is on the rubbish produced by Obrasso under the 'Greatest Hits' or 'Screen Blockbuster' tag, but also taking the time to praise Naxos for a great release at a very reasonable price.

Will Doyen or SP&S be following suit I wonder

Martin Hall
Blackburn 

Me - pedantic?

I wouldn't usually be so pedantic on matters such as this, and before I say anything else I'd just like to say that I think you do a great job on the website, its very interesting to read.
 
All I wanted to point out is that in your article for the introduction of the Area championships, you speak of the 4 bands that were promoted last year, and that they need to play well if they want to return to Harrogate- Beaumaris won't be returning to Harrogate, as they have entered at Championship grading this year.

As I said, I wouldn't usually be so pedantic, but I felt obliged to point this out, as the chance to go to London is slightly different from Harrogate!
 
Matt Buckley-Rees 

4BR Reply:
Well spotted Matt. We will try to be a bit more accurate next time... 

Extra playing time

Thank you very much for completing my order with the receipt of 'Walking with Heroes'
 
Has anyone else reported what I think to be a pressing error on this disc as there is some 'live' piano music appended to the end track i.e. the last movement of Vitae Aeturnum and the timings shown when I imported the disc into iTunes exceed the track timing per the insert by some three minutes
 
Clive Keech
 p.s. great service as ever lads !

4BR Reply:
We didn't notice this, but we will check it out and come back to you. Has anyone else found this? 

No end to the Grimethorpe Saga...

I am an interested in the Brass Banding world and enjoyed what was a brilliant day at Birmingham last year.

However, somewhat taken aback by what has occurred at Grimethorpe. Do we know anything else as to why these two fine players have left and what is happening to one of our finest bands which from the outside seems in disarray?

Steve Beech

4BR Reply:
This one has been covered in plenty of detail Steve. 

Grimethorpe finisher 

In reply to S. Wilton’s question what was the Grimethorpe finisher at their concert at Butlins.
 
The last piece was the Howard Snell arrangement of Pines of Rome and what a pleasure it was to have the awesome power of Kevin Crockford in my ear.
 
Chris Howley
Flowers Band

Brilliant weekend in Manchester

After travelling over to Manchester from Northern Ireland, I along with my Dad, enjoyed a brilliant weekend at the Festival of Brass in the RNCM. 

Fodens and Brighouse performed brilliantly. The Black Dyke opening concert, Richard Marshall and David Thornton recitals, along with the Rex Richardson and Katrina Marzella solos were the highlights for me.

Enjoyed learning lots from pre performance talks about Vinter’s music, as I didn't know much about it.

Met some greatly inspiring people and made some good friends.

Thanks to all who organised such a brilliant event and I'm looking forward to next year's festival.
 
Charles Fyffe
Northern Ireland

The great Bramwell Tovey

I couldn't agree more with your editorial about Bram Tovey.
 
I certainly am not a sycophant but as a now ex-playing member of Fodens I think I'm initialled to say the day that man was persuaded by Colin Short to return to banding our hobby gained a wonderful friend, a true great of his trade, a much needed injection of charisma and a beacon for other conductors to follow in everything from stick technique to repartee.
 
His comparative lack of contest success can be taken as a huge compliment to his musical skills and I for one will always remember the day I sat on stage in Birmingham and performed that interpretation of ‘Les Preludes’.
 
Well said 4BR
 
Toby Hobson   

And more....

I would totally agree with your assessment of Bramwell Tovey. 

In the midst of his busy schedule I spent two hours talking to him this morning at my request as was at Heathrow Airport en route from Dublin to Vancouver.

I am researching for a PhD in Musicology and, as my thesis relates to the mission and music of The Salvation Army, he had much to say about a subject close to his heart.

His views were expressed with a real empathy, a generous spirit and with a genuine understanding of the ethos of music in general and S.A. brass compositions in particular.

John Martin 

Enfield reply

I am replying to a comment to my review of an Enfield Festival.
 
Firstly at no point am I having a go at the commitment in general to all bands both SA and contesting.  In my review I was merely commenting on the Christian Commitment, which is the main reason for playing.
 
As a contesting bandsman with children I am more than aware of what is involved with rehearsals and juggling personal life so that we can keep our commitment to the banding movement.
 
I at no point want to start a war between SA banding and contesting as I strongly believe the relationship between the two has never been better.  To see Dyke and the ISB sharing the same stage is wonderful and only goes to strengthen the relationship.
 
At no point was I given the chance to reply to this Email before it was published.
 
Railton Hirst 

Norwegian thanks... 

This is a thank you to the lovely guy from Wales we met in the restaurant during the Norwegian Championship last weekend.
 
Yes, you kept your side of the promise, thanks. And we did our best, and played well. Thank you for telling everyone about it in 4BR.
 
Best regards from all in Askøy Brass Band
 
Siw Kleiven 

Ray Norton remembered

Ray's daughters, Catherine and Margaret, would like to thank all the members of the Hanwell Band and of the banding community who either attended the funeral service or sent their condolences following his sad passing.

Our particular thanks to Charley Brighton for playing at the service so beautifully. Brass bands were a major part of Dad's life and hence our own, and we have taken some comfort in knowing how well he was remembered and respected.

Catherine Ison 

Fantastic Festival 

I and three friends from Devon have just returned, through the snow, from the superb Festival of Brass weekend at the RNCM in Manchester. 

I would like to congratulate everyone involved in providing a fantastic weekend of quality brass band music.

The concerts by Fodens, Black Dyke and Desford together with the Richard Marshall recital were the highlights of the weekend for me.

The Fodens concert was particularly memorable, both for the quality of the playing throughout and the atmosphere created when playing ‘Paganini Variations’ and then ‘Abide with Me’ in remembrance friends of Bram Tovey and the brass band movement.

But, what a contrast between Fodens sensitive playing and the Brighouse "on steroids" performance of ‘Journey into Freedom’. It would be interesting to know how quickly they got through the piece, compared say with Black Dyke's winning performance back in the 60's.  It was quite simply the most insensitive playing of that wonderful piece I have ever heard. 

Without wishing to dwell on negatives, I wonder what other attendees and readers may think about the following comment. Do you find that band accompaniments are too loud for the soloists?

Time and time again I found it difficult if not impossible to hear the soloists in quieter passages over the enthusiastic playing of typically bass and percussion sections. Examples - Black Dyke for Richard Marshall and David Thornton, Leyland for Kartrina Marzella, Fairey for Lisa Sarasini.

Hearing pieces such as ‘Variations on a Ninth’, ‘Roccoco Variations’, ‘Pageantry’, ‘Harrison's Dream’, ‘Paganini’, ‘New Jerusalem’, ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’ and ‘Journey into Freedom’ were my primary motivation for attending the festival.

And generally I was not disappointed, with wonderful concert performances of most of these works.

However the memories uppermost in my mind now are Simon Dobson's ‘Penlee’, Paul Lovatt-Cooper's ‘Antarctica’ and, much to my surprise, the trombone solo ‘Freaks’.

All totally captivating pieces and tremendous additions to the brass band library.

Congratulations are also due to Paul Hindmarsh for his selection of music for the festival and his relaxed but informative compering of the programmes and Philip Biggs for once again organising the event so well.

I look forward to next year’s festival.

Tony Knowles
Newton Abbot, Devon 

Kind words

Thank you to Mr. Hetherington for his kind words regarding Lions Youth Brass at The Gwent Festival.

Whilst I do not think he was on his own in his opinion, and I certainly thought we had played a very strong performance, we have to accept Mr. Buckley’s decision and respect the points he made in his remarks.

If the band continues to play at the level they produced on Saturday I am sure we will get our rewards in the future, and 2nd place is still a very good result.

Nigel Birch
MD, Lions Youth Band 

Memorable Manchester

What a fantastic weekend at the RNCM Festival of Brass once again this year. 

Having made the short trip to Manchester on Friday night I was more than delighted at Black Dyke’s performance, but returning on Saturday evening Fodens were just fantastic. What a performance this was from the band, the two conductors and soloists.

I never thought I would be clapping for an encore from a violinist at a brass band concert, but I was not alone on the night (and he obliged of course).

Back on the Sunday and Brighouse rounded off the weekend for me with a super concert under Alan Morrison. What this band will be like with David King at the helm we can only imagine.

Well done Paul Hindmarsh and well done the bands. I will be back next year for certain.

Peter Hall 

Fantastic Fodens

Can I take the opportunity to thank Fodens for a truly memorable evening on Saturday at the Festival of Brass.

My wife and I sat and were almost speechless by the playing, especially a wonderful performance of ‘Variations on a Ninth’ to start – it brought back so many memories of playing the piece myself. 

We also thoroughly enjoyed the two soloists and the final touch of playing ‘Abide with Me’ nearly brought a tear to the eye.

Thanks again Fodens – you were magnificent

Howard Storey
Manchester 

Scrap this system

I have just returned from the Action Medical Research Contest in Blackpool after a day where the bands and young players were absolutely fantastic.

As a parent of a competitor I must congratulate everyone concerned on what was a really enjoyable contest.

Why though do the organisers continue to use a points system that is patently unfair? Having read the results on 4BR, the disparity between the bands in the entertainment marks is astounding.

Didn’t they know this was going to happen again after the problems they encountered just a year or two back?   I know marking entertainment can be problematic, but this once again bordered on a joke.

The system needs to be scrapped before some of the bands decide that they won’t be coming back.

Jeff Hinton 

A touch of reality is needed

Principal cornet players may come in the form you describe, but there are also many examples of the polar opposite - just because some choose to ignore them to fuel a rose-tinted 'isn't everything going to pot' view of life doesn't mean that these examples don't exist.
 
For example take young James Fountain of GUS who played a lyrical solo with an astounding degree of maturity at Butlins in GUS' entertainment program.

I am young and play principal cornet for a 1st section band but I am aspiring to make it much further than that and I like to think I have musicality and a decent sound.
 
As for the comment about trumpet playing?

Any young cornetist needs to learn to play the trumpet proficiently and in the right style if they are serious about making a living from music.  In this day and age, the many stars that used to populate brass banding are long gone and unless you are at the very top like Mr Webster you will simply not make any money from your banding life.
 
I am astounded at how out of touch that piece is. To compare these supremely talented young players to the 'Stepford Wives' is disrespectful and downright ignorant to the demands placed on a modern cornet player who has ambition.

Sweeping generalisations and passing swipes through the medium of cyberspace do no good what-so-ever.
 
A touch of reality is needed.
 
Chris Hart 

Eurovision judging in Wales? 

I visited the Greater Gwent Youth Festival at the weekend, and what a wonderful event this is, the organisation is first class and it is a credit to everyone involved with the event.

The standard of entertainment and the standard from these young players is first class, and gives much hope for the future of brass banding with a full programme of bands from 9:30 to 6.30 in the evening! 

If you have not gone to a Youth Band event for a number of years you will be amazed at the quality of playing and professionalism.
 
Just one observation. The emphasis is on entertainment, hence the title of music festival not competition, and there was lots of entertainment, but the band judged to be 2nd (Lions Youth Brass) were way ahead of everyone else, but despite their name were not from Wales but South Cheshire - I hope this is not a case of “Eurovision” Judging?!?  --

Did anybody else think the same?
 
Only a small point on an excellent day and event, long may it go on for another 50 years!  
 
Phillip Hetherington
Newport  

Thanks Lorena

Thank you to 4BR and Chris Helme for your reply to my query on a cornet solo 'Lorena.'

Following up the lead it appears to have been a vocal rather then cornet solo. Although judging from it's popularity was probably played on any instrument handy, fiddle guitar banjo and even cornet.

Terry Evans 

Beethoven for band?

This is an interesting one for me as I'm a pianist and a brass bander.

I've always thought that Beethovens ‘Pathetique Sonata no.8’, would transcribe well for brass band, and I've recently seen in your contest archive that it was arranged for brass band for the 1929 British Open.

Problem is, it doesn't say who arranged/transcribed it, as it just says Beethoven, and I'm fairly confident he never wrote for the brass band combination.

Also, would you know if this music is still available? I'm guessing that this piece didn't work, as the only recording of it, that I can see, is by the 1929 winners B&R on two 78's from 1930.

Although, it could have just been fiendishly difficult as well.

Scott Woolfenden,
Principal cornet Mossley Band. 

4BR Reply:
If anyone can help, please let us know. 

Help with Sleep 

The recent letter from S. Wilton on your comments page, I can help on one count.

‘Sleep’ was arranged by myself with the permission of the composer Eric Whitacre and first played by Hepworth at Brass in Concert last November.

He has written some superb music, especially choral and wind band, and plans are well advanced for myself to produce a series of arrangements for brass band of many of these through Eric's publishers.

No brass band CD recording as yet, but can I point your correspondent to a CD by the choral group "Polyphony" on the Hyperion label entitled "Cloudburst" which contains "Sleep" and many other examples of Erics' stunning writing.

I'm sure they won't be disappointed.

Sandy Smith

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