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2013: November

The 4BR editorial opinions on appreciating our composers, a welcome return to the box and in praise of the Welsh...

Appreciating our composers

The news that major works by Edward Gregson, Nigel Clarke and the quartet of Simon Dobson, Lucy Pankhurst, Paul McGhee and Gavin Higgins have been shortlisted for 2013 British Composer Awards, will hopefully provide the high profile stimulus contest promoters require to use their compositional talents on a more regular, rather than occasional ad hoc, basis at major competitions.

The diversity of musical language they (and others) offer is remarkable for the brass band medium - from Gregson’s expertly realised homage ‘Of Distant Memories’ to Clarke’s extraordinary ‘When World’s Collide’ and any number of inventive and highly original pieces from Dobson, McGhee, Pankhurst and Higgins.

However, a lack of planning, foresight, inherent conservatism and at times, downright musical ignorance have meant that the we have yet to hear Edward Gregson’s ‘Symphony in Two Movements’ or Paul McGhee’s ‘Waiting for a Pain Hit’, Nigel Clarke’s ‘Earthrise’ or Simon Dobson’s ‘Symphony of Colours’ amongst others, performed as set works in a major competitive environment.

As the British Composer Awards show - perhaps others currently appreciate them more than we do at present.

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


 A welcome return

Stan Lippeatt will be making a welcome return to the Nationals adjudication box at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in 2014.

Following his misplaced actions at the Bolsover Contest in 2012, he fully accepted his censure from the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators as well as its recommendation that he seek and undertake diversity and equality awareness training.

He has quietly and professionally done this with an open minded willingness at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust that he has stated was something of a revelation - and all undertaken through an extended period of recovery through ill health.

As a result, a fine bandsman, conductor, adjudicator and contest organiser returns with even more to offer the brass banding movement than ever before.

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


In praise of the Welsh

It’s not often a small nation like Wales gets the chance to boast about its achievements, but at present there is little doubt that banding in the Principality has plenty to shout about. 

Four of the five senior National Championship of Great Britain, European, British Open, Brass in Concert and Masters trophies are now to be found nestling in display cabinets in Wales - not forgetting two National Youth Championship titles.  

Why Wales has become such a powerhouse remains something of puzzle though. 

There is no all-powerful national body that officiates and administers, no single person that dictates, no hidden group or cabal that works in secret looking after its own interests. 

Perhaps more by accident than design, the various component parts that make up Welsh banding have found a way to work together as well as on their own – at times in more effective close harmony than its nation’s best male voice choirs.

A sense of collective pride in its conductors and players, bands and administrators, educationalists and contest promoters is now the overriding ethos - and perhaps offers an explanation to why at present Welsh banding is enjoying such success.

The only problem for the future of Welsh banding, is that if they can do it, then so can others, so they may have to savour their sucess for now.

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



Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Lewes, Glynde and Beddingham Brass Band

April 14 • LGB Brass are recruiting for a new Musical Director to join our thriving and aspirational organisation and take us onto the next stage of our musical journey. We are a 2nd section contesting band with a varied calendar of concerts and events.


Hathersage Band

April 14 • Front Row Cornet. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Petworth Town Band

April 14 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for back row cornets, repiano, flugelhorn and tuba. We have a thriving list of concerts and engagements and are led by our enthusiastic and inspirational MD Paula Streeter


Jonathan Pippen


Conductor, Adjudicator, Trombone Soloist & Clinician


               

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