Conductor and composer Nigel Horne has been enjoying himself of late in the United States of America.

Two months work

Nigel spent around two months in the US from late April until the middle of June, and during that time had the opportunity to work with four bands in the Washington DC area, mainly as an advisor on how to develop the emerging movement, but also as a conductor and arranger.

Nigel thoroughly enjoyed himself with Benfield Band (Annapolis, MD), Chesapeake Silver Cornet Band (Newark, DE), Rockville Brass (Rockville, MD) and Spires Brass Band (Frederick, MD).

Spires and Chesapeake bands have recently enjoyed success at the North American Brass Band Association contest, coming 1st and 2nd respectively in the Second Section.

Flying the flag

Nigel told 4BR: "I had the chance to rehearse all four bands and to take Rockville to a number of concerts including the Washington Folk Festival, where we flew the flag for British style brass bands, and the famous Gettysburg Festival, where I had to conduct in temperatures in the mid 90s."

Where the movement is having difficulties in the UK, it is thriving over there where bands are open to new ideas and are keen to develop the movementNigel Horne

Great thing

He added: "The great thing about banding in North America is the receptiveness that players have for the all things about the movement. Where the movement is having difficulties in the UK, it is thriving over there where bands are open to new ideas and are keen to develop the movement.

"I have been fortunate to act as an ambassador to bands of all standards in the US. It is something that I hope to continue to do in the future; their enthusiasm and ability being a source of constant joy to me."

Can do

Despite the problems associated with the geographical distances separating between many of the bands in the country, Nigel believes that the American's 'can do' ethos will overcome any problems in their desire to make brass banding a signifiant part of American musical culture.

"Of course there are difficulties to over come," he added. "Not least the distances between bands meaning that it will be sometime before local contests are held, and the access to players of brass band only instruments. However, I have learnt that the famous American "can do" attitude helps tremendously!"

Back home

After his enjoyable time spent across the Atlantic Ocean, Nigel is now back and working hard on new compositions and works — and is keen to get back into the British banding scene.