Editorial ~ 2008: January

This month we give our opinion on Quality & Innovation; Percussion misconception and Financial resolutions.

Quality & Innovation 

If the brass band movement is to be really serious about projecting itself directly into the consciousness of a general public that increasingly finds itself bombarded by a musical smorgasbord of desperately talentless wannabees trying capture their attention and money, then surely the time has come for us all to concentrate on quality and innovation.

There are those that may well believe that we already provide these in abundance – but they are wrong.  The current brass band movement is hamstrung by an insistence on quantity and an almost Luddite attitude to progressive change.

Too many contests featuring too many bands (especially at the top most level), gentrified processes of adjudication, organisation and promotion, negligible long term planning and narrow minded thinking – it has become a systemic paralysis that holds us back, and will eventually, sooner rather than later, sound the death knell for the movement as a whole.

Those who are willing to implement change and focus on quality and innovation deserve to survive – be it bands, concert and contest promoters, organisations and even the media. Those who don’t will wither and perish.  Keeping the status quo is a recipe for rapid decline, and crucially, a further sense of alienation and disinterest from a general public that at its heart has a great deal of affection for our form of music making.

Some people have realised this and are shedding the shackles of the past and moving forward – others are unwilling or unable to even rattle their constraints.

2008 will perhaps represent the last opportunity we have to grasp the chance of really influencing the future prosperity of our movement – be it more liberal attitudes to contesting rules, encouraging active participation from families, using technology or even taking a few risks in trying to get bums on seats at contests and concerts. 

Be innovative and concentrate on quality, and perhaps 2008 will be the year in which the movement starts to rejuvenate itself once more.

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

Percussion misconception

Who would have thought that almost 40 years after percussion became a truly integral part of the brass band there are those who still treat it with a general misconception that at times borders on musical discrimination.

The latest problems will surely arise following the release of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators statement in respect to percussion at the 2008 Regional Championships. http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp

Why percussion, or the lack of it, should elicit a statement from ABBA (whose remit this surely doesn’t come under), when they declare that they expect percussion parts to be played as per the score, and conclude by saying, ‘…the use, or lack of percussion, is not necessarily the deciding factor of prize winning performances’, rather makes their intervention redundant.

Surely cornet, trombone, and bass parts are all expected to be played by a band in a contest in whatever section they compete in, so why single out the percussionists? If any of these parts are not played then the job of the judge is to note it and make their decision accordingly. Doesn’t the same apply to percussion parts?

There are of course player shortages in brass and percussion especially in the lower sections, but surely that raises the question of how we attract more players to play in brass bands per se?  Is having depleted percussionist team anymore of a problem to the judges picking a winning band than only having one BBb bass, no bass trombone or a cornet player filling in the flugel part by using a cloth cap over the bell?

In that respect ABBA should work with contest organisers to look at ways of doing just that, and leave the percussionists alone. 

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

Financial resolutions  

At a time when we are being told there is a slowing down in the UK economy, the finances of the vast majority of brass bands will surely be a cause of concern for many a band treasurer in coming months.

How much it costs to run a band depends on many factors, but it is fair to say, projected income never quite equates to projected outgoings at the start of a year. 

From those winning the British Open or heading the 4BR Contest ‘Money List’ to those who decide to enter a few contests and undertaking a couple concerts, raising money to survive is now more important than even a couple of prize winning performances.

Hopefully bands have benefited from the last remnants of seasonal generosity from the general public, whilst others have taken the opportunity to get in touch with the endless list of government departments, quangos, regional bodies and even charities that could provide a vital financial lifeline through the coming months.

There is money out there – even if it takes a great deal of patience, fortitude and even a brass neck or two to claim it, win it or even plead for it. There are also people out there who can help you get it too, so don’t be shy to ask, demand and badger – it could make all the difference in the world.

The brass band movement doesn’t get a fantastic handout of dosh (not like our opera loving friends), but sometimes we are perhaps a touch reticent to go and get it when it is on offer.

Make it your new years resolution then to get what you deserve. 

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

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