Editorial ~ 2007 February

This month we discuss our thoughts on the leaked news of a new major contesting event for Australia, we consider the upcoming Ern Keller Band of the Year, and also question the usefulness of forums.

New moves

It has come to our attention that there has been considerable progress made towards the establishment of a new contest venture for the 2008 year. 

Details are little sketchy at the moment and are yet to be confirmed by the organising body.  However, we do know the contest will involve 10 or so bands from Australia and New Zealand and some sort of qualifying system.  Thoughts and questions which immediately spring to mind include location, format, rules, and adjudication procedure?

This venture would seem to have similarities to the European Open.  Are we ready for an Australasian Open?  I would think we are. 

The task of establishing such a new event in Australia and New Zealand would be huge, and are our 'top' bands capable of fitting in another major contest into their calendars given, for many bands, their already stretched financial resources. 

For the new contest to be a success, it would need for the majority of these 'top' bands to see it worthwhile for them to attend.

Therefore, the proposal must be attractive to the participants.  The format would need to be worthwhile and workable.  For example, if a band is committing funds for travel and accommodation, the contest format needs to have at least two major works.  Given the issues surrounding the incorporation of a hymn tune and stage march into a championship title such as the current Australian Nationals system, there is probably no real need to include these items into a new championship title.

Also, the adjudication system should be effective and efficient - such as a panel (possibly 3) of 'well-chosen' musicians who would confer on the final decision.

A huge point of debate will be band membership/registration.  There are presently inconsistency problems with our existing contests regarding player registration.  A system which removes these inconsistencies but can still be reasonable yet fair is begging to introduced.

Where is the best place to hold a competition that will be fair to all attending?  I guess the middle of the Tasman Sea is geographically central but clearly studid!  The city or town should have suitable accommodation and infrastructure to support 10 or more brass bands and their supporters; have an acoustically and logistically suitable venue; and as a bonus, be somewhere for the bands to have a good time and possibly have an extended stay for holiday purposes.

These are definitely exciting times and we await the official announcement of this new contest proposal with keen interest.

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

Band of the Year Guests

Speaking of contests...the Ern Keller Band of the Year Entertainment Contest will be held in Sydney later this month. 

Three out of the four bands competing in the evenings event will be using guest conductors. Howard Taylor will be conducting Waratah, Mark Ford will be conducting Gunnedah, and Bryan Hurdley will be out the front for St Mary's.  It is refreshing to see such acceptance by the Band of the Year Administrators of the use of 'guests' - whether they be as conductors or players. 

Refreshing - so to is the 'criteria' for the adjudication of the Band of the Year.  Event organiser Ken Bradley, in a way, was forced to come up with some written guideline as to what the band competition would be judged on.  So he created the following brief, The bands will be judged on: the difficulty of the music, the standard in which the music is played, audience appeal, variety and presentation. All aspects of performance will be assessed and the three adjudicators, all of equal voice, will debate the strengths and weaknesses of each band, in order to agree on who is "The Band of the Year". (There are no dead heats).  This would seem to be a fairly simple and straightforward criteria with the absence of quantifiers and an underlying intent of quality.

The Ern Keller Band of the Year has the potential to be bigger.  It has the potential to mimic the likes of UK based "Brass in Concert" which is a major entertainment contest in the UK brass band calendar year where bands both national and international bands compete.

Brass bands love to enjoy themselves and the opportunity to entertain in the absence of strict rules or complex guidelines is very attractive.  It is only a matter of time before the Ern Keller Band of the Year expands to include bands from other states and perhaps from abroad.

The interest created this year through the use of 'guests' by several of the bands is one small step towards this expansion.

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

The usefulness (?) of forums

Many brass bands have their own forums attached to their websites which usually just serve as a discussion area for things related to their own organisation. 

There is an ever increasing number of registered users on brass band forums across the world for the sole purpose of discussing all things and sometimes anything related to brass bands - and sometimes things having no relevance to brass banding at all.

Registered users find it easy to participate in this type of discussion as their contributions are instantaneous and often feedback is just as quick.  People enjoy this control and reactiveness.

Do these sites actually do anything to help the brass band movement?  If so - why and how?  If not - why and how?  If all of the above - should they stay or should they go?

Here is your opportunity to publish what you think on what has become in many brass band areas downunder, a hot and contentious topic.

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

^back to top