Following the critical artistic success of the 'Dark Arteries' collaboration with the Rambert Ballet Dance Company, Gavin Higgins' contribution to brass band repertoire has been further recognised in him becoming the first recipient of British Bandsman magazine's 'Herbert Whiteley Award for Creativity'.

Original repertoire

Editor from 1906 to 1930 and 'right-hand man' to John Henry Iles, founder of the National Brass Band Festival, Whiteley is widely acknowledged as the person behind the birth of original brass band repertoire for contests, having encouraged composers like Sir Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Henry Geehl, Percy Fletcher, Hubert Bath and Cyril Jenkins to write for the Crystal Palace Contest in the early years of the 20th century.

Pivotal influence

Announcing the new award, British Bandsman Features Editor Paul Hindmarsh told 4BR: "Herbert Whiteley may not be the most familiar name to people involved in modern-day brass banding, but his influence on our culture through his work as a commissioner of original music is absolutely pivotal.

We decided that it would be most appropriate for British Bandsman to mark his unique contribution to banding through an annual award recognising outstanding creativity in the brass band medium."

Outstanding music

He continued: "Gavin Higgins has been producing outstanding music for brass band for over a decade, but we decided that his 'Dark Arteries' project was worthy of special recognition.

Working primarily with Tredegar Band and the Rambert Dance Company, 'Dark Arteries' has also been performed throughout the UK by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Fairey and Whitburn bands.

Critical acclaim

It has received wide critical acclaim and press coverage that has painted a much more realistic picture of brass bands, and what they are really capable of, than we normally experience. In brass band terms it really has been a phenomenon.

We are also delighted that Gavin has accepted our award and we look forward to presenting it to him at the RNCM Brass Festival in January."

Gavin Higgins has been producing outstanding music for brass band for over a decade, but we decided that his 'Dark Arteries' project was worthy of special recognitionPaul Hindmarsh.

Honoured

A delighted Gavin Higgins told 4BR: "I'm honoured to receive this award. This project is very close to my heart and part of the appeal was the fact that an entirely new audience would be introduced to brass bands as the ballet toured.

However, what I'm most pleased with is how the bands have taken to the music. The response I've had has been overwhelmingly positive. I hope that this project has, in some small way, brought brass bands back into the public eye and, more importantly, inspired those within our little world to think bigger!"