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2013: September

The start of reactions from the British Open to plenty of discussion about Doctor's notes....

Long may it continue
 
What a great British Open at Symphony Hall on the weekend.

I have to agree with the judges that there were stunning performances from the Welsh bands Tredegar and Cory and a host of great ones – especially from Brighouse & Rastrick even though they ended up in ninth place.

The best thing about the day was the music. At last we had something the audience could sit back and enjoy without trying to work out what was going on with all the technicalities.

Long may it continue, and it was no surprise that the audience seemed to be bigger than it has been for many years as a result. 

David Heston


Deserved award for McCann

I am so pleased that Phillip McCann has finally been recognised by the Iles Medal Award.

A true artist, it is so, so well deserved, and I wish to add my congratulations to the many he will no doubt receive. 

His dedication is supreme, and I have long been a great admirer of all that he does.

I am just a little surprised that it has taken so long to recognise Phillip in this way.

I send him my sincerest congratulations and warmest regards. 

Gordon Higginbottom


We are not all Londoners...

I have used your site for several years now and particularly appreciate the comprehensive contest coverage.

One frequent error does niggle though, and I thought you may appreciate a quick geography lesson in order to avoid repeating it in the future.  

When you talk about bands from the LSC region, please try to remember that the clue is in the name - London AND Southern Counties - making it at best inaccurate and at worst disrespectful to refer to all bands from this region as ‘Londoners’.  
 
The LSC region in fact covers 13 counties (14 if you count the temporary home of one of this year’s finalists!), the Channel Islands and London.  

Greater London accounts for less than 10% of the area geographically.  

In 2013, Regent Brass are the only band representing the LSC region at the National Finals that can correctly be called ‘Londoners’.  

Our other qualifiers come from Berkshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

Jim Wilkinson
Reading (not London)


Doctor, Doctor...

Dear Doctor Professor Roberts (Professor Doctor?) 

Sorry to disagree but since I work at the institution where the gentlemen mentioned achieved their doctorate and since I was involved in processing the conferment I do feel quite confident that the three actually do in fact hold research degrees!! 

For ‘proof’ (and because 4BR might shout at me unless I provide a concise reply!!) please see:

http://www.salford.ac.uk/arts-media/research/salford-music-research-centre/phd-students

As you can see our recent graduates include:
Robert Childs, Nick Childs, Lt Col Chris Davis, Stephen Cobb, Kenneth Downie, Martin Ellerby, James Gourlay, Major Graham Jones, and Roger Webster, Peter Meechan, Dorothy Gates and Franner Otter.

And current students include:
Jonathan Corry, Adam Frey, Rachel Smith, Tim Watson and David Thornton

Please do not hesitate to contact the Research Centre if you would like any further information about what we do 

Marrianne Garbutt
BA (Hons) Band Musicianship
Programme Administrator, School of Arts and Media
University of Salford


Call them what they like...

Doctors, Professors, Directors of Music, Musical Directors - they can themselves what they like. 

The fact of the matter is that every last one of them is just a conductor of brass bands when they have a baton in their hand and a score open in front of them. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is strange though that you don’t see too many orchestral conductors referring to themselves in such grandiose (and misplaced) terms do you now? 

Remember the old saying though: Those who have more letters before or after their name, than are actually in their name, are usually people nursing an inferiority complex – or have just bought an extra long name plate for their desks.

Martin Hodges


Confirmation

Whilst I may not be privy to the distinctions between the various musical qualifications as referred to by Stephen Roberts, I am able to confirm that both Lt Col Graham Jones and Lt Col Chris Davis gained the Doctorate of Music Arts (DMA) through Salford University.

Peter Bale



Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ


Enderby Band - Broughton Astley Rock Choir

Friday 13 December • Thomas Estley Community College. 2 Station Road. Broughton Astley. Leicestershire LE9 6PT


Bedford Town Band - Bedford Town Band Brass Academy

Saturday 14 December • Putnoe Heights Church MK418EB


Newstead Brass - Christmas Showcase 2024

Saturday 14 December • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 8LA


Besses o'th' Barn Band

December 12 • Due to a change of circumstances. The band now require one front row cornet and two back row cornets to complete our line up for the North West Area Contest in Blackpool..


Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band

December 10 • Solo Baritone and Percussion required to add to the band building towards the NEMBBA and area contests. Under the Direction of Duncan Beckley, the band is keen to fill the few remaining seats to add to the continually improving ensemble.


Barnsley Brass

December 10 • Barnsley Brass requires an Eb bass player. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge on the A61 just south of Barnsley. Rehearsals are Monday and Thursday evenings at 8pm in our purpose built bandroom.


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

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