The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators has told 4BR that it hopes 2017 will be one of increased collaboration with contest promoters and organisers.

It follows their annual general meeting held in Bailiff Bridge in Yorkshire, where it hosted a packed test-piece workshop (above) on the set-works to be used in the forthcoming Second, Third and Fourth Section Area Championships.

Enhance role

"We are keen to enhance our role as a leading, progressive voice in the banding movement,"Association Secretary David Hirst told 4BR. "AoBBA is a body full of immense musical experience and we are keen to utilise that to the full — and not just in our traditional role.

We would like to collaborate much closer with organisers and promoters in discussing test-piece choices and commissioning strategies for contests as well as other areas that can benefit the banding movement.

We want to play an integral role in helping to improve overall performance standards across all sections. We believe closer working relationships will benefit everyone."

Workshop

That was certainly shown at the well attended test-piece workshop, where Unite the Union Band under MD John Roberts performed 'Rhapsody in Brass', 'Darkwood' and 'St Andrew's Variations' through detailed analysis provided by ABBA members Nick Garman, Alan Duguid, Simone Rebello and David Hirst himself.

Guide

"Events such as these provide an invaluable guide — and I must emphasis, that it is only a guide, to how conductors may or may not approach these works at the Area contest,"he added.

"I would hope other bands that wish to showcase the Area test-pieces also engage an experienced adjudicator to help them and their audience to understand how the work is structured how it tests the band."

We would like to collaborate much closer with organisers and promoters in discussing test-piece choices and commissioning strategies for contests as well as other areas that can benefit the banding movementAoBBA Secretary, David Hirst

Officers

At its Annual General Meeting, the Association re-elected Alan Morrison and David Hirst as its Chairman and Secretary respectively, with David Ashworth taking on the role as Treasurer.

Kevin Wadsworth remains as Vice-Chairman, Sarah Groake-Booth as Public Relations Officer, with Nick Garman, John Roberts, Mark Wilkinson and Simone Rebello as Executive Officers.

Image courtesy of Dave Morris