Editorial ~ 2006: January

2006 opens with 4BR looking at the continued need for evolution; Besson in administraion and our own 2005 Highlights and Lowlights.

Still a need for evolution

There has been many good things that have happened to the brass band movement in the past twelve months that should give cause for optimism as we enter 2006. 

Many critics of 4BR may point to the fact that they believe us to be over critical at times of the efforts of many people who work within the movement – be it organisers, adjudicators, conductors and performers, and that we sometimes do not possibly highlight as much, the good work that does goes on.

We would plead guilty to this in part, but it is a guilt that we believe to have been forced upon us in too many cases. If the banding movement is to prosper in the coming years then it must finally shed itself of the parochial amateur approach that continues to cling to it like a comfort blanket.

There were real signs in 2005 that certain people, certain organisations and certain performers and conductors were doing this, but there were also too many others that were unwilling, or more frighteningly, completely unable to accept, that the need for change is now imperative. 

If 4BR does report negatively on some aspects of the movement it is because they deserve it. In this day and age there is no room for those who cannot accept the need for change, and in the coming months we are sure you will hear the bleating voices of myopic so called ‘traditionalists' who hide their luddite tendencies behind a veneer of paternal indifference to the genuine need for progress. We are still in real danger as a movement as being viewed by the general public as a quaint and somewhat meaningless cultural pastime belonging to a different age – the recent Radio 2 programme on Black Dyke being a case in point.       

Thankfully, it seems to 4BR that the number of those with progressive aims and objectives are beginning to outweigh those who believe that after 160 years we still haven't got anything to worry about, and that what has served us from the mid 19th century to date is in no need of change. Those who embraced change in 2005 invariably found it to be less painful and certainly more successful than they had dared hoped – those who didn't, found that that old sores refused to heal.

Let's hope more and more embrace the need for evolutionary change in 2006 – 4BR will for one give them full credit for doing so.

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

Besson

The news that Besson Musical Instruments Ltd has gone into administration should not be greeted with anything other than dismay and sadness by the general brass band movement.

Ever since the sale of Bossey and Hawkes to The Music Group in a multi million pound buyout backed by Rutland Partners in 2003, it had been left to try and almost reinvent itself in a market place that had shrunk in size since the tap of lottery inspired brass band refurbishment applications had been turned almost completely off. Besson were saddled with an outdated and outmoded operation in the UK and it was a minor miracle that it stayed afloat as long as it did.

John Rogers and his management team did try bravely to stop the hemorrhaging of money seeping away, but even though the decisions to stop backing brass band events such as the European Championships and National Finals may have seemed short sighted, it is worth remembering that they had supported these events for a very long time and had sunk a great deal of money into what were in effect (especially after the disastrous Robert Alexander years of ownership) ships that had sunk deeper than the Titanic. And what thanks did they get for that off the movement?

The decision they made of allowing a private promoter to run the Nationals has proved effective, if not universally popular, whilst the decision to move away from the Europeans will in the long run be seen as the right one – even if it was painful and clumsily done.

Besson, or whoever now takes over the company, still has a great role to play in the banding movement (what for instance will become of the ownership of priceless items of our heritage such as the National or European Trophy for instance?).

After 168 years the company faces its most difficult challenge. We should all hope it comes through it, even if it is as a shadow of its former self.

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

Highlights and Lowlights

Given that it is always great to look back on the year past, there are always a number of highlights and lowlights that stick in the memory. Rack you brains and you can recall some fantastic achievements, some brilliant performances, great nights out with banding pals in celebration or disappointment and even occasions when things didn't quite go to plan.

These were some of them for us:

Highlights: James Morrison at the Dyke 150th Concert – mind blowing; Eden at London – a truly great piece; Derek Broadbent's address to the audience at the Second Section Regionals in the North East – quite brilliant and appreciated by everyone – even the conductors; Butlins Mineworkers Championships – the blueprint for future festival contests; Brass in Concert – a true home and an event to savour; Hans Gansch – what a performance; Angels and Demons by Kirkintilloch – bonkers; The faces of the young players of Valley Brass (Haydock) after winning the Fourth Section at Harrogate – priceless; a strange night in Arlington, Chicago and many, many more…

Lowlights: Rika Dijkstra, presenter at the European Brass Band Championships – like something out of ‘Little Britain'; The hall used for the main European Championship Section – not worthy of the occasion; Philip McCann's remarks at the National Youth Brass Band Championships – tipped with acid; Variations for Brass Band and Tam O' Shanter at the Regionals – way too difficult; The study score at the Open – made your eyes go funny: Some attempts at humour at various entertainment contests all year – the bumble bee at Gateshead – aaaarrrgh! And plenty of others we are sure.

Lets hope 2006 brings more for everyone – especially if Wales win the Six Nations, Liverpool win the Champions League, Cardiff City gain promotion and our numbers come up on the lottery for once…. 

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

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