A bright but cold morning recently greeted the delegates for the 2009 National Convention of the National Association of Brass Band conductors (NABBC) at their convention venue in Lincoln.

Friends and collegues

It was a day when many old, as well as new friends and colleagues met for what promised to be a busy, informative and cordial weekend.

The opening welcome was given by the association Chairman Walter Ritchie to delegates who were from all the six NABBC areas and included one delegate who had travelled over from the Isle of Man.

Continuing problem

The President of the association Dr. Roy Newsome highlighted the continuing problem of attracting young brass players from youth bands into the ranks of the senior bands.

He reminded everyone of the recent youth band championships at Blackpool and suggested that it is conductors who need to try harder in catering for their needs as well as their older and more experienced members.

The weekend drew to a close with a wonderful performance by the Youth Brass 2000, the newly crowned overall champions at the recent Action Medical Research Entertainment Contest in BlackpoolNABBC

Major highlight

A highlight of the convention was Major Peter Parkes who gave a discussion and practical conducting demonstration of Eric Ball’s 'Sinfonietta – The Wayfarer'.

With the help of Carlton Brass he was able to illustrate many points to the watching delegates, particularly those who ‘had a go’ under his watchful eye and guidance.

Fascinating presentation

Next up was a lively and fascinating presentation by Andrew White, who is Music Adviser for Blackpool Education Authority and the manager of their very successful Music Service.

His presentation, with the Enderby Youth Band and their MD Trevor Hounsome was based on communication being the key to a succesful partnership between a band and its conductor and always giving thought to the all important customer.

Making a CD

John Rowley the owner of Reelsound, a mobile recording company in Hull fascinated delegates with his experiences of bands that wanted to make a CD. A power point presentation illustrated the kind and size of venue that is the key to a successful recording.

Preparation, choice of music and not selling yourself short were also important factors to making a successful CD.

Annual Dinner

Saturday night saw all the delegates attend the annual dinner where the guest speaker was David Horsfield, who took the audience on a journey through time of his very successful career both as a player, a publisher and adjudicator.

Forum session

Sunday morning was the associations AGM followed by a forum session chaired by Dr. Newsome, with Major Peter Parkes, David Horsfield and Dr Jon Hall who through questions from the members discussed many aspects of brass banding today.

Wonderful performance

The weekend drew to a close with a wonderful performance by the Youth Brass 2000, the newly crowned overall champions at the recent Action Medical Research Entertainment Contest in Blackpool with their musical artistic director Chris Jeans.

Chris and his band gave a clear insight to what the senior bands have to start looking at more seriously if they want to attract young players to their bands – and quoting Dr Roy Newsome — "Conductors have to start catering for their needs as well as their older players in their senior bands if they hope to attract members from youth bands."

Join up

If any conductor would like any further details about joining the NABBC please contact national secretary Ted Howard: — 023 — 9259 – 8162 or e-mail: THoward34@aol.com