Editorial ~ 2007 January

This month we give our opinion on New Year Resolutions for bands; Predications for the year ahead; and consider the sustainability of brass bands downunder

New Year Resolutions

At the start of every new year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our lives and make an attempt to change things, usually for the better, by way of setting goals and planning ways to achieve these goals.

It could be considered a bonus if we actually achieve our goals, but at the very least, we have made an attempt to improve.

How many bands also adopt a similar systematic approach?  One suspects that many organisations lurch from one week to the next with little or no forward planning, thinking, or goal setting.

Does your band have a plan, review and evaluate system in place?

What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com

This month we thought we would go for broke and make a few educated (!) guesses as to what the year will bring.

The presence of Katrina Marzella at this year's Ern Keller solo comp will be one of the highlights of the year.  Katrina has endeared herself to many of us, is a class act in everyway, and will carry home this years Keller International soloist title.  Waratah will acquire a high profile guest conductor for the Band of the Year gig and will romp home...but then again, St Mary's will have its own surprise guest MD who might just do the business.  The real winner without a doubt will be the Band of the Year event - an afternoon of brass band entertainment at its best, and significantly up a notch in standard compared to previous years.

On the contest front, the major league players will continue to perform well.  Brisbane XLCR will get its hat-trick but the road to success won't be so easy this time around, as the recent loss of 6 of its players will hinder the bands progress early in the year.  This contest will be a significant turning point for the band. There will be strong challenges from all states and overseas, including a dark horse from the deep north.  Although there have been increased opportunites to use overseas conductors, and a relaxation in registration rules in some States, few bands will make use of these opportunities.

The NZ Nationals in Auckland will be an exciting one.  There will be stiff competition from Oz with Jason Katsikaris, complete with reinforcements, returning to lead Gunnedah. The front running Kiwi bands will be well stocked with the usual overseas presence, both within the ranks and with the stick, and will all be keen to prove a point.  This will be a very close contest. We will go out on a limb here and say Dalewool by a nose.

Also exciting times ahead on the competition front, with the announcement of a new Australasian contest initiative. 

Firm plans will also be put into place for an Australian National Band, but no real advances will be made on the National front in terms of uniting the States of Australia.  The New Zealand initiatives will struggle to find funding but the experience, determination and ability of the people in the power will lay the foundations for ultimate success.

But....what would we know?!

What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com

One of the observations during 2006 was the distinct lack of Junior Bands on the competition scene.  Several states in Australia have school based systems in place which provide a learning environment for brass players.  However, most school bands are essentially concert bands, with few opportunities for brass students to be exposed to and participate in brass bands. As a consequence, it can be argued that the development of technique is somewhat compromised.

Also, with the normal demands of schooling combined with extra-curricular commitments, kids these days are left with no spare time in the day to join a local brass band, should they in fact want to.

Then, during the transition from high school to further studies or the work force, players are lost to the system as their awareness of even the existence of brass bands is low.

In order for our movement to be sustainable we need to either develop our own players or make better use of and/or somehow support the existing brass programs within schools.

How can we do this better?

What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com

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