Editorial ~ 2008 April
8-Apr-2008This month we consider the broader picture of contesting, and the upcoming inaugural Australasian Open.
...ahhh - the joys of contesting!
The Australian Championships have come and gone for another year.
Highs and lows - there were plenty of both, from the highs of listening to the freshness and innocent enthusiasm of the Junior bands, and the musicality shown in the bands and soloists at the highest levels, to the events following the A Grade presentation, and the not so profitable Gala Concert - points we won't dwell on here, this time.
The years roll on and sometimes we wonder whether or not the movement is actually moving forward - whether or not there is an effective method of review and evaluation being implemented by all of us at all levels of banding. Certainly, from a performance perspective, the standard of bands is improving, without a doubt.
Individuals, whether they be players, administrators, musical directors, adjudicators, should all have some method in place where they closely evaluate their 'work'. At the end of the evaluation process, there should then be a clear set of goals and objectives, and the detailed method in order to achieve these objectives.
This 'plan' can either be used by the individual or group of individuals, or passed onto the next person or group, in order to make the next time better. How often does this happen? If we see the same bad practice or 'mistakes' repeatedly occur, then the system is not working.
It does take a real determined effort to review, evaluate and implement. It also takes a particular level of competence to be able to know how to do this effectively. If those in positions of leadership do not have this level of competence, then they should rethink whether or not they should be in a position of control.
Then again, if there is a genuine lack of people with competence who are willing to take on leadership positions, should we criticise?
We as a movement owe it to ourselves to try harder. We all choose our own place in the picture - players, conductors, adjudicators, administrators, supporters/parents/partners.
When administrators cry 'we work so hard for nothing, for you - don't criticise us', the fact is, they have chosen this role for themselves - regardless of the reason. This is no different to players choosing to attend rehearsals 3 times a week to help the band, or Mums and Dads devoting a huge amount of time and money to help their child to help the band. We are all in this together - the one big cycle where each link in the chain is dependent on the next. We all need to do the very best we possibly can to keep the movement progressing.
'If we do what we've always done, we'll get what we've always got.'
What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com
The Australasian Open
The microscope is beginning to focus more on the Federation of Australasian Brass Bands (FABB), as the inaugural Australasian Open approaches.
Being held in October this year, the announcement of the Test Piece is highly anticipated. Organisers have earlier stated that this release won't happen until around July. If announced earlier than this, bands competing at FABB and the New Zealand Nationals may consider whether or not to choose the FABB test piece as their Own Choice in New Zealand. Is this such a problem?
Also, bands not competing in NZ but competing in FABB, may then be considered to have more time to work up the test piece, if released before the NZ contest. Is this such a problem?
The other question that begs is, how long do bands really need to work up a Test Piece?
There is a real opportunity for FABB to make a statement and impact with the choosing of its first Test Piece. We invite suggestions as to what (and why) you think might make the best test piece for Australasia's first championship contest. Should it be the most difficult work ever written; the most musical work ever written; an 'oldie but a goodie'; or, even, written by someone from Australasia?
What do you think?
Send an email to: du.comments@4barsrest.com
