Editorial ~ 2006 February

This month we discuss the success of the Queensland Youth Camp, the selection of Test Pieces, and recruiting from local schools.

Queensland Youth Camp – a National Affair

How exciting is it to hear how successful the Youth Band Camp for Queensland was this year. There were over 64 players with representatives from South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.

But that leads on to the question – why? Why is Queensland so successful with their Youth Camp? Yes, there is a Victorian State Youth Band, but it's been a long time since there was a large attendance like in QLD.

It appears that QLD really is leading the way in banding at the moment in Australia. The movement is vibrant and there are many young people joining the ranks. Obviously there is some terrific leadership up there in the sunny State.

New South Wales seems to be following in their footsteps though. The 2005 State Band Championships was healthy with a terrific representation of youngsters.

It always boils down to the same thing – enthusiastic and passionate people. If you take a good look at the QLD Youth Camp, and for that matter any of the successful bands, there is always at least one enthusiastic, driven, highly motivated person who is spear-heading the success.

What do you think? Send a comment to: downunder@4barsrest.com

Test Pieces – who selects them?

It's the time of the year when the State Bodies are choosing and announcing the Test Music for 2006. So, who chooses the Test Pieces? Time and time again there are grumblings about the choice of Tests. I guess we can say it's impossible to please everyone, but more often than not, there are many more displeased than pleased.

Who is on the board? How can bands get more of a say about what is selected? Are any of the bands or conductors ever approached for advice?

There's a long standing joke that the choice of music is based on what is 'over-stocked' with a well-known Australian band-music supplier.

The Victorian Bands' League has announced an Open Forum for their MAB – let's hope that there are some bandies attend – particularly from the A Grade bands who didn't attend the Victorian States last year, supposedly in part because they didn't like the Test.

Wouldn't it be great if the Test Music could be chosen somehow by a popular vote? You know – we all submit listings of what we like, then everyone can vote. At least then the only ones to blame are the bandies themselves. There's certainly plenty of scope for this sort of thing to happen with the wonders of technology: most people have the internet these days. 

What do you think? Send a comment to: downunder@4barsrest.com

Recruiting from local schools: The Letter

Dear School Music Teacher
 
Please don't throw away this letter...
 
I would like to introduce you to my brass band. We are entering a new era that will be characterised by innovation, progress, modern music and uniform, training and development, vibrancy and fun!
 
About the Band
 
After a long period of stagnancy, the band has clearly recognised the need to reinvent itself for the benefit of the community. Our new direction has the support of the band members and committee, the local council and our banding association. Here are some of our new initiatives:
 
Learners' Classes: Our brass learner program designed to provide the essential elements of brass playing and band musicianship. This is a class format enabling students to learn in a structured, pedagogical way, but with a focus on instrumental music as the vehicle for understanding and playing music. (Subject to demand, we could also be introducing a parallel program for aspiring percussionists).
 
Junior Band: Our new band for brass and percussion musicians in their early years of playing. The band extends on the basics and provides opportunities for public performance, development of ensemble skills, and is a caring community-based social activity that is fun and challenging.
 
Senior Band: The band is in the process of reinventing and rebuilding, and has opportunities for adults and teenagers to step up to the challenge of key positions. Principal and key positions are available for cornet, flugelhorn, tenor and baritone horn, euphonium, tenor and bass trombone, tuba and percussion (including kit). Players are expected to be established musicians, able to read modern charts and prepared to work constructively with the band during our rebuilding phase.
 
What's in it for you...?
 
Having your brass and percussion students involved in a community brass band provides many benefits for both your students and your school instrumental program, for example:
 
brass players in brass bands play more challenging parts than concert bands and orchestras – this accelerates technique and tone development;
skills learned at the band will have direct positive impact on the instrumental ensembles at your school;
playing in a community ensemble establishes a bridge for the continuation of music enjoyment after school – as you will be aware, many students cease music upon leaving school;
instruments provided by the band can be used in the school music program without any cost to the school – this facility applies to all instruments, including trombones, euphoniums and tubas (a significant cost saving to your music department budget);
learners classes are free for the first 10 weeks (one term);
instrument hire fees are extremely low – this is particularly valuable when a family has more than one child learning an instrument;
opportunities to play in public – the band is stepping up its profile by staging entertaining concerts and other public engagements;
members will be able to attend band camps and travel for contests and concert tours – this could also include interstate and overseas trips
 
A little about me
 
I have been a successful brass player, conductor and teacher for a significant part of my life. I have played with this country's leading brass bands and toured overseas. My family are all brass players, and perform at a high level.
 
I am passionate about high quality, entertaining band music and aim to develop the band into an innovative and vibrant musical group.
 
What's next?
 
I seek your help in introducing the band to your students. Whilst the band has not historically had a strong association with schools in the vicinity, we believe that our new attitude and initiatives represent a fresh outlook on community music in our area. The benefits of membership are many – to your students and your school – and we hope that by working together, the potential becomes reality.
 
I would like to meet with you to discuss the band. I understand that the beginning of each year is a busy time for teachers – a discussion would take no more than 15 minutes of your time.
 
Attached is a copy of our promotional flyer for our junior band and learners' classes, which gives an indication of our new style and approach. Thank you for reading this letter to the end and I hope to see you soon to discuss the band.
 
Yours sincerely
 
The Musical Director
 
I have just sent this letter (which includes my band's name and other details) to about 10 local secondary schools, but I don't expect a significant response. You see, the schools in my area don't want to know about their local brass band. Nevertheless, I will follow up with phone calls and face-to-face meetings to push the message. I'll let you know how I go.
 
Had a similar experience? Tell us about it: downunder@4barsrest.com

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