Following her visit to the UK last year to support the Jaguar Land Rover Band at the National Finals, German brass band enthusiast and tuba player Katrin Poll now believes she has a rather unique achievement of her own to celebrate!!

Return trip

During her autumn visit Katrin had the opportunity to rehearse with Stour Concert Brass, and remarked that she may return again to play at the Midland Regional Contest for their sister set up, Shipston Town Band.

After a hurried registration process Katrin arrived in the UK last Thursday ready for her first and only full rehearsal with Shipston, where she played on a traditional British tuba for the very first time on the Third Section set work, ‘Hollywood’.

National Anthem

At the contest Katrin even got to play the ‘National Anthem’, as Shipston drew number 1 before going on to help the band to gain a podium finish and qualification to the National Finals in Cheltenham later this year.

Reflections

Reflecting on the significant differences of the approach to contesting between the UK and Germany, Katrin noted the formality and regulation of the British system:

"In the UK, registration cards and players signatures are required. In Germany, a bandsman could play for as many bands in all sections that they want. And bands can use more players—in fact there is no limit how many players could play for a band on the contest stage."

In the UK, registration cards and players signatures are required. In Germany, a bandsman could play for as many bands in all sections that they wantKatrin Poll

National Finals

Following the success, Katrin has now been invited to play with the band at the National Finals – perhaps the first ever German born National to do so.