Dutch composer and conductor Geert Jan Kroon has told 4BR that he believes that brass band musical life is starting to move slowly back to post-COVID-19 normality in The Netherlands.

He told 4BR that bands are now able to rehearse indoors with appropriate social distancing and health and safety measures in place, although this has brought a number of challenges.

Worldwide links

During the lockdown Geert was able to stay in contact with the wider banding movement by linking up with the series of Brass Bands England seminars.

"The webinars were great,"he told 4BR. "I not only learnt a great deal, but it also gave me the drive to try something inventive myself as we prepared to take the first small steps in The Netherlands."

Different experience

Bands were allowed to get back to playing in June — although it was a very different experience as he explained.

"My first post-lockdown outdoor rehearsal was on a Friday evening on a parking-lot of a big local company. It was a very different musical and social experience — although the joy of playing together again was immense.

The week after that we went back inside to rehearse. It did take a great deal of preparation and care to work out how it could be done safely and to figure out how to play together when we were at least 2 meters apart!

It was a great challenge to get the ensemble to play together over this distance, but it does make you listen more to the players and we have been getting better each rehearsal."

Keeping busy

Traditionally Dutch banding takes a Summer break, but Geert kept himself busy by linking up with the digital version of the Allan Withington Conducting Summer School.

"That was great. Allan is such an inspirational musical figure. He doesn't see hurdles, just new opportunities. Taking part gave me another extra boost of confidence."

Bands in The Netherlands can now perform with a 1.5 meter social distance circumference between players, which has meant that most bands have been able to return to their usual rehearsal rooms.

"Fortunately, the restrictions are a bit better now as we can play at 1.5 meters apart. We are looking to do some concerts with a small audience, and with Flevo Brass we are planning a digital festival. So, with small steps, we are getting back to business in a creative way."

Bands in The Netherlands can now perform with a 1.5 meter social distance circumference between players, which has meant that most bands have been able to return to their usual rehearsal roomsGeet Jan Kroon

Nationals

The pandemic has also had a huge impact on composers — including Geert who was to have his latest composition 'The Final Frontier' performed at the 2021 Dutch National Championships in Utrecht.

"I don't think I was alone in having work and performance opportunities cancelled and it was a great disappointment that the world premiere of 'The Final Frontier' will have to wait a little longer now.

However, like other composers it's meant we have had to find new ways to get our music performed — and some of the social media initiatives from bands have been wonderful. I think this is one of the most exciting artistic developments to come out of the crisis."

Opportunities

He added: "Fortunately I also had the opportunity to enjoy working on a project with the Swiss Army Brass Band and Philipp Werlen for 2022.

Next to that, the free time gives my band Soli Brass Leeuwarden the chance to do some recordings of my music and for me to keep my lip in trim with personal practice."