Following the success of their recent joint test-piece preview event, the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators and Hammonds Band have told 4BR that they are now looking forward to three partnership previews prior to the Spring Festival, British Open and Cheltenham National Finals.

Develop

Speaking on behalf of of AoBBA, David Hirst commented: "AoBBA has traditionally organised its own preview evenings, but we're delighted to now be working closely with Hammonds Band to develop the concept over a number of events"

Each event will aim to give constructive feedback to bands from each section from an AoBBA adjudicator before each contest, with the success of the initiative already shown when AoBBA secretary, Nicholas Garman recently worked alongside Huddersfield & Ripponden, Lindley and Hammonds.

A public performance of a test-piece is worth several rehearsals as it replicates, to some extent, the pressures players will face on the contest stageNicholas Garman

Benefit

His written feedback and discussion with the conductors saw a focus on elements that benefited the development of performances in the lead up to the Yorkshire Area contest in Huddersfield, with Nicholas telling 4BR: "A public performance of a test-piece is worth several rehearsals as it replicates, to some extent, the pressures players will face on the contest stage."