Editorial ~ 2005: December

This month we give our opinion on Never having it so good; Home Sweet Home and Christmas Spirit.

Never had it so good?

It was the late Prime Minister Harold Macmillan who coined the famous phrase ‘You have never had it so good', which he used to great effect in the 1950's as Britain finally came out of the austerity of the post war years.

In its way the brass band movement in the UK could very well find itself in the same position over the next couple of years too.

Through a combination of foresight and investment, good organisation and a little bit of good fortune, 2006 could herald the start of a golden period – but only if the bands themselves get off their backsides and start to realize that they too will have to change their long term sceptisicm and start working in partnership with others rather than just looking after themselves.

The Brass in Concert contest showed that given good long term strategic thinking allied to secure funding, even an event many thought could not be improved upon has entered a new and exciting era. The organisers and sponsors have put the contest at the very forefront of the movement. Now it is up to the bands invited to respond in kind.

The same can also be said of the Butlins Mineworkers Championships that take place early next year.  The organisers have secured an ideal venue to hold a large national contest, whilst in turn the sponsors have put their money where their mouths are and put up a very healthy prize fund.  Now the bands must support it in full.

Pontins has taken the bold step of renewing its Youth Championships linked to the British Open, whilst the venerable dowager herself has spruced its image up too. The Nationals put on a much slicker and enjoyable event and even the Regionals seem to have had an injection of enthusiasm as well. People are trying hard to reinvigorate the movement at its grass roots – so now the bands must help too.

Add to this mix a band press in the form of 4BR, British Bandsman, Brass Band World and Brass Herald that is now covering events in much greater detail and scope, as well as the burgeoning web forum of themouthpiece.com and things are certainly feeling more vibrant and exciting than at any time in the past decade or more.

However, if it really is to be a golden period, then the bands must accept that the old way of doing things has changed. Forget the parochialism, forget the self interest and short term planning and start working with contest organizers, sponsors and banding press and think of engaging the potential audience that these people believe are out there ready to enjoy brass bands in all their glory.

It wouldn't be a bad New Year's resolution.

WDYT?

Home sweet home?

The recent news that a number of bands in the UK are facing an uncertain future because their rehearsal facilities are under threat could become one of the most pressing issues over the next few years for a variety of unrelated but still potentially damaging reasons.

The Wigston Band in Leicestershire, East Yorkshire Motor Services in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire Band near Beverley, Burry Port Town Band in West Wales and many more are being faced with evictions from their homess that in many cases they have rehearsed in for years.

The reasons can be distilled into two main areas: Money and noise.

There are not too many bands in the country who own their own bandrooms, and if they do, there are even fewer who have them sited away from residential areas.

Historically bands have found homes in old churches, pubs and clubs, schools and community centers. Those lucky enough to have had sponsorship found themselves rehearsing in works canteens or refurbished storerooms or small factory units. Not many had the cash to buy the buildings and freehold of bespoke rehearsal rooms, and those who did have faced the high costs of maintenance and upkeep. Having your own bandroom can be a huge drain of resources: heating, lightening, rent, rates, cleaning and maintenance, refurbishment and security…the list is endless.

Tenancy agreements are thin on the ground as many bands and their landlords have usually relied on a handshake and a regular cash payment to keep things ticking along, so when a landlord can look at a big space and wonder if he can rake in a bit more cash by leasing it to someone else, greed (or as they usually bleat – business is business), the band is usually left without a home. This is happening more and more as the likes of Wigston and others have found out. When it comes to hard cash, sentiment goes out of the window with the instruments and music.

The same goes for the question of noise. Unless your bandroom has been insulated better than a thermoflask and is sited on a piece of derelict land on the outskirts of town, the chances are that neighbours (and most bandrooms are in residential areas) will hear you rehearse.

Given that new laws on noise pollution now give the excuse for cranky old busy bodies and the serially miserable the chance to vent their spleens to the local authorities (and believe you me, these people are usually the ones who habitually complain about everything from dog mess and the decline of moral standards on the BBC to the loss of imperial measurements and single parents), it has become a major problem for many bands.

So what can be done?

Not a great deal you may think, but it may be a good idea to get in contact with a reputable firm of solicitors who know about brass bands and find out where you stand on each issue.

Better do it now rather than later as well – otherwise your band could also be facing a new year without a home to play in.

WDYT?

Christmas spirit

As the contest season finally draws to a close, it is always nice to reflect back on the year past.

Every band will look back at those contest wins or losses, the players and MDs who have come and gone, the music that you liked and the test pieces you do not ever wish to set eyes on again. Sometimes it makes you wonder why we go through it year after year after year?

Perhaps its because there is no feeling quite like playing in a brass band when on those rare occasions, things are going brilliantly on stage; when your conductor is not shouting at you in rehearsal; when the judges forget about the slips and reward your performances; when your annual concert is performed to a packed hall of enthusiastic fans all wanting to buy your latest CD; when you go into work after the weekend and your colleagues are genuinely impressed that you play in a brass band, and when you got to a contest with a bunch of fellow players and friends and just have a wonderful time in each others company.

Or perhaps its those times when you are left at the bandroom at midnight unloading the bus of percussion instruments and basses by yourself; or when you are frantically searching for a cornet player to sign two days before the contest deadline; or when you have to put your own hand in your pocket to pay for the MD; or when you have to face your landlord who wants more rent or the old woman across the road who is complaining about the noise when she is trying to watch Coronation Street.

Or the annual slog of carol playing on cold streets or outside supermarkets, or in pubs with drunken secretaries wanting a blow of your trumpet and a quick verse of the birdie song. 

Whatever you reflect back on, all you have to remember is that you are not alone, and that there are thousands just like you who have experienced every same emotions in 2005 as you have. Doesn't that make you feel better?

Have a great Christmas and an even better New Year.

WDYT?

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