2006 RNCM Festival of Brass: Peripheral Events

4BR looks at the peripheral events that took place at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass.

Saturday and Sunday morning saw master classes from the soloists who had featured in the concerts the previous evening.  Hakan Hardenberger and Ian Bousfield in their own individual styles, gave marvellous insights into their craft to the both the students and audience; everybody taking away something with them, regardless of their standard of playing.

Hakan Hardenberger encouraged the students who performed for him (superbly one might add) to think all the time about what they're doing and want to achieve during their performance, to ‘treasure every note', and he demonstrated on a number of occasions just what he wanted the students to do.

Ian Bousfield's approach on Sunday morning was completely the opposite of how Mr Hardenberger had approached his own session, but nevertheless, it was just as informative.

Ian's opening comment was that ‘he hates master classes and the session would be quite informal'.  Referring throughout to personal stories, the trombone virtuoso made the point that you can't change things too much during a session with an individual performer, but you can use tips and pointers that will aid them as a musician, particularly in their ability to move to the next level of performance.

In addition, whilst acknowledging the trombone players for their level of performance, Ian Bousfield talked in detail about the importance of being able to communicate with an audience.  Playing the notes on the page is one thing, being able to communicate them to the audience and bring that music to life is another he said.

Through his years of experience, Ian reinforced the point that teachers have an important job to do.  ‘Teaching is like being married.  You can say ninety-nine great things, but (your partner) or in this case, student will always remember the one bad thing that you say' – it's about being careful about the way things are said.

Whilst Hakan Hardenberger was undertaking a master class, the RNCM Brass Band was performing music written by four young composers.  These four composers were the finalists from a larger group that were auditioned last month.

The list of pieces and composers whose music was performed is as follows:

Processional – Peter Fahey
Hollow for Trumpet and Brass Band – Matthew Sergeant
Ascension – Lucy Pankhurst
The Ministry of Love – Paul McGhee

In between the Sunday afternoon and evening concert, ‘The Brass Herald Forum' was hosted by Professor Edward Gregson and featured Philip Biggs, James Gourlay, Bram Gregson and Lynda Nicholson in discussion about the movement under the heading – ‘Plotting The Way Forward'. It was an interesting discussion, and it covered many topics.

There were an awful lot of positive comments and each of the panelists was asked ‘If they were Tony Blair, and had the authority, what would they do to change things within the British Band movement?'

The suggestions included:

Learn and enthuse generally about music
Look seriously at contests and how they are run for the benefit of bands, audiences and adjudicators
Remove closed adjudication
Look at the instruments allowed in bands, inclusion of piccolo trumpet perhaps
Have a remit for bands to form a youth band to aid the development of players.
Form a Professional Body for Brass Bands

Not even Tony Blair can deliver these surely, but it was quite a wish list and rounded off things in a fine style.

As the dust settled over the 2005 RNCM Festival of Brass, 4BR asked the following question:
Those present at the RNCM throughout the weekend but in particular Saturday and Sunday night will never forget what they heard.  It just leaves the question, ‘How can that be followed in 2006?'

We should have known better of course, because once again, the audience in attendance throughout the weekend were treated to some fabulous (and on more than one occasion, stunning) playing from the musicians at an event to continues to grow in stature.

Over twelve hours of music from some of the finest brass ensembles anywhere in the world, master classes, forums; it's a weekend quite unlike no other in the banding calendar for those in the UK, and is proving to be one that people want to be present at – how wonderful to see visitors from overseas, including four players from Brass Band Willebroek who were driving home through the night afterwards.  They loved it, and you wouldn't mind betting, they'll be back again

Everybody knows in advance that they will be listening to music of a serious nature (an operatic overture can be as light as it gets) and with that in mind, they are happy to be challenged mentally by the musicians at what they're listening too.

One of the reasons this event is so successful lies in the hands of Artistic Director, Paul Hindmarsh, whose thought and preparation ahead of the event, can't go without recognition.  Paul comes up with musical themes for the weekend that develop into new commissions some rarely heard music, with stalwart pieces from the repertoire.

The themes for 2006 included birthday tributes to Mozart, Sir Malcolm Arnold, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and Michael Ball, whilst ‘landscapes' both real and imaginative were heavily featured.

In terms of the bands present, the whole weekend has a familiar and settled line up; Grimethorpe & Fodens traditionally perform at this event on the Friday & Saturday night respectively, whilst the RNCM's ‘Band in Residence' (Black Dyke) have the honour of bringing the festival to a conclusion, complete with a capacity audience giving it an atmosphere unlike any other concert over the weekend.  BAYV on the other hand, always attract a healthy Saturday afternoon attendance, and Sunday was given over to Yorkshire completely with Brighouse at lunchtime before YBS and the aforementioned Black Dyke.

So what were the highlights?  There was something in every concert to savour be it the solo playing from Ian Bousfield, David Childs, Hakan Hardenberger and David Thornton; the unforgettable Gaia Symphony from BAYV, Black Dyke's performance of Heaton's Variations and YBS's compelling programme that included Pickard's Eden; a contender for player of the weekend would have to be, Iwan Williams, who was nothing short of immense from the first till last note during the YBS concert.
 
Musically, it was refreshing to hear commissioned test pieces performed in a concert environment, as was the case at times over the weekend.  The playing of The Open and National test pieces from last year was an in-genius idea and perhaps this is something that can be continued next year and beyond?

The master classes held by Hakan Hardenberger and Ian Bousfield were fascinating listening, whilst The Brass Herald Forum, brought debate and food for thought to those in attendance; except no-one knew what would be discussed and by whom until the day itself.  There must be some benefit to announcing in advance what the purpose of the discussion forum will be on the day itself, enticing more people to attend and engage in debate?

Once again, a huge vote of thanks has to go to the bands for their commitment to the Festival, Artistic Director, Paul Hindmarsh, and Administrator Philip Biggs – who does a cracking job.

Highlights of the weekend can be heard on Wednesday 8th March on BBC Radio 3 from 19.00hrs GMT.  There is no confirmed news of the date for 2007 as yet, but once it is confirmed, if you can be present, do so, this festival is a magnificent experience – don't just take 4BR's word for it, sample it yourselves.

Malcolm Wood

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