Issue no. 5557 – 18 April 2009

www.britishbandsman.com

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Bramwell Tovey and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain gathered for the band’s Easter Course at Harrogate Ladies College last week,

prior to performances in the Yorkshire town and in Manchester. BB was at the Manchester concert and the full story is on pages 12 and 13.

Continuing a trend established over the past three years at the Brass

in Concert Championship, the organisers of the world’s premier

entertainment-based brass band contest have released details of two top

overseas bands due to participate at this year’s event.

A spokesman for Brass in Concert told BB: “As part of an agreement

with the organisers of the US Open Brass Band Championship, the 2008

Champion, Fountain City Brass Band, from Kansas City, qualifi ed for an

invitation to attend the 2009 Brass in Concert Championship. So eager was

the band to accept, that it has extended its visit to the UK to two weeks,

returning home after also competing in the Scottish Open Championship

in Perth.”

Fountain City has been the pre-eminent contesting brass band in the

USA for the past few years, having been crowned North American Brass

Band Champion for three consecutive years (2007–2009) and US Open

Champion in 2007 and 2008. Conducted by the irrepressible Joe Parisi,

Fountain City is sure to build on the outstanding contribution made to the

Brass in Concert event by its US predecessor, Brass Band of Central Florida,

in 2006. Fountain City will feature in the World of Brass in Concert gala

opener on Saturday 14 November, then compete in the Championship the

following day.

Tour co-ordinator, Helen Tyler, who formerly played solo baritone with

Foden’s Band prior to moving to the USA, confi rms that the tour itinerary

for Fountain City, while not yet fully confi rmed, will include concerts on

a more-or-less nationwide basis, while also undertaking a World of Brass

backed recording project. “The band is thrilled at the prospect of the UK

tour and is, of course, delighted and privileged to be able to compete in

two such high-profi le contests during the trip,” she commented, adding,

“We hope our experience of both the set test-piece and entertainment

format contests in the USA will stand us in good stead.”

Also making the trip for this year’s Brass in Concert will be Manger

Musikklag, the 2008 Siddis Champion, which was led to victory in the

leading Norwegian entertainment contest last November by the English

trumpet virtuoso, Martin Winter, who also composed the band’s entire

programme, the four-movement Central Park Suite. Manger’s appearance

continues Brass in Concert’s long association with Norwegian banding,

most recently continued by visits from Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag in

2007 and Stavanger Brass Band, which achieved a highest ever placing

at the event for an overseas band when it fi nished second in 2008 under

Allan Withington.

Tickets for the World of Brass in Concert, which takes place on Saturday

14 November, together with the Brass

in Concert Championship on Sunday 15

November, are now on sale from the box

offi ce of The Sage Gateshead, which can be

contacted on 0191 443 4661 or

Overseas bands set to star at Brass in Concert

Pict

ure

cour

tesy

of J

ames

Chi

shol

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Price £1.25

BB 1.indd 1 14-04-2009 17:00:22

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 2

Sedb

ergh

Sch

ool i

s a

Reg

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Cha

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No.

108

0672

JOIN THE TOP BRASS!

www.sedberghschool.org

At Sedbergh, we believe in making a noise about being the best, and our brass band is top class. In the last three years, 12 band members have received ATCL and LTCL diplomas. We’ve toured to the Bahamas, France, Germany and Slovenia, and even played at Lord’s during two test matches. Sedbergh is probably the only school to offer specific Brass Band Scholarships, and they are now available for September 2009. For more information please contact Alan Lewis: 07876 404 408 or email: enquiries@sedberghschool.org

Boys and girls aged 4 –18

2009 All England

Masters International

ChampionshipSunday 24th May 10.00am

The Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Sponsored by

Test-PieceMasters of the Space & Time - Broughton

Tickets £17 - £13

Gala Evening Concert 7.45pmFodens Band &

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

Tickets £17 - £13

For tickets telephone: +44 (0)1223 357851or +44 (0)1223 234090 or +44 (0)1954 781238

With additional support from Pro-Digital Systems Ltd.

BB 2-3.indd 2 14-04-2009 17:01:37

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 3

NEWS

Australian title for Jason KatsikarisJason Katsikaris, the Australian conductor who has made a major

impact in UK contesting in recent years with Leyland and BTM bands,

led his Gunnedah Shire Band to victory in the Australian National

Championships, which took place in Sydney last weekend. Having given

what turned out to be the winning performance on Saturday of Philip

Wilby’s test-piece, …Dove Descending, Gunnedah followed-up with a fine

performance of Philip Sparke’s Harmony Music in Sunday’s own-choice

section to secure an overall four-point victory.

The full results were:

A Grade

Test-piece: …Dove Descending (Philip Wilby)

Adjudicator: Professor David King

1. Gunnedah Shire (J. Katsikaris) 46 (hymn) + 198 (test-piece) + 197 (own-

choice) + 46 (stage march) = 487

2. Kew Band Melbourne (M. Ford) 48 + 196 + 192 + 47 = 483

3. City of Holroyd (N. Weeks) 46 + 194 + 195 + 46 = 481

4. Warringah Concert Brass (J. Saunders) 45 + 192 + 194 + 48 = 479

5. MPV Brass (M. van Emmerik) 45 + 195 + 191 + 45 = 476

6. Brisbane Brass 1 (J. Christodoulides) 47 + 190 + 193 + 45 = 475

7. Footscray-Yarraville City (P. Edwards) 44 + 191 + 193 + 44 = 472

8. Waratah Brass (W. Tyrell) 47 + 189 + 192 + 42 = 470

9. Willoughby City (A. Snell) 46 + 190 + 191 + 42 = 469

10. Darebin City Brass - Preston Band (D. Dielkins) 43 + 186 + 190 + 45 =

464

11. South Brisbane Federal (M. Gray) 43 + 190 + 188 + 40 = 461

12=. St. Mary’s Band Club (P. Terracini) 40 + 183 + 192 + 43 = 458

12=. Boroondara Brass (D. van Bergin) 42 + 180 + 192 + 44 = 458

14. Glenorchy City Concert Brass (D. Hunt) 42 + 179 + 188 + 41 = 450

Best Soloist in Test-piece: Riki McDonnell, euphonium, Holroyd

Best Section in Test-piece: Warringah Percussion

B Grade

Test-piece: Bandsmans Challenge (Bertrand Moren)

Adjudicator: James Curnow

1. Hobart City (S. Cawthorne) 49 + 196 + 195 + 47 = 487

2. Townsville Brass (D. Hosking) 48 + 195 + 193 + 44 = 480

3. Geelong West (J. Steele) 43 + 191 + 194 + 46 = 474

4. Parramatta City (J. Gatt) 47 + 194 + 190 + 42 = 473

C Grade

Test-piece: Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)

Adjudicator: James Curnow

1. Darebin City Brass - Northern Brass (A. Power) 46 + 192 + 194 + 46 =

478

2. City of Wollongong Brass (P. Eades) 44 + 188 + 192 + 45 = 469

3. City of Holroyd No. 2 (S. Yow) 43 + 185 + 191 + 44 = 463

4. Greater Bendigo Brass (D. Trottman) 42 + 190 + 189 + 41 = 462

D Grade

Test-piece: Call of the Righteous (Leslie Condon)

Adjudicator: Professor David King

1. Boroondara Harmony Brass (D. van Bergin) 46 + 194 + 196 + 46 = 482

2. Newcastle PCYC Band (T. Wallace) 47 + 193 + 193 + 47 = 480

3. Narrabri Shire Band (S. Moore) 46 + 198 + 190 + 44 = 478

4. Brisbane Brass 3 (B. Barker) 45 + 195 + 193 + 43 = 476

Junior A Grade

Test-piece: Shine as the Light (Peter Graham)

1. Gunnedah Shire (D. Alexander) 47 + 197 + 198 + 47 = 489

2. Willoughby City Youth (B. McGuinness) 41 + 187 + 193 + 43 = 464

Junior B Grade

Test-piece: A Disney Fantasy (Goff Richards)

1. Warringah Youth (J. Saunders) 47 + 197 + 198 + 47 = 489

Foden’s announces sponsorship dealThe current British Open Champion, Foden’s Band, has announced that

Sandbach Town Council has pledged financial support by becoming a

Platinum Sponsor of the band. Speaking to BB on behalf of the band, a

delighted Mark Wilkinson commented: “This reinforces the already strong

link between the band and the local Town Council, representatives of

which are always evident at our Sandbach Concerts.”

Chairman of the Council, Pauline Minshull, presented a cheque to Andy

Rolfe of Foden’s during the monthly Town Council meeting earlier this

week and a short presentation followed, which allowed the council to

understand a little more about the band and all the benefits that go with

being a Platinum Sponsor.

Andy Rolfe commented: “We are very pleased to secure this sponsorship,

as the band is proud of its roots in the local community. We will

endeavour to positively represent Sandbach throughout the year at the

many venues in which we play and hope to strengthen our association

with the Town Council in the future. The band will make good use of this

additional funding with its work in the local community.”

Alison Balsom to star in Last Night of the PromsFrom playing with a 4th Section

brass band to a career as an

international soloist is a pretty

huge step, but one which trumpet

player, Alison Balsom, has made.

Born in Royston, Hertfordshire,

Alison was educated at Tannery

Drift Junior School, Greenway

School and Meriden School before

attending the junior department of

the Guildhall School of Music and

Drama, the Royal Scottish Academy

of Music and Drama and Paris

Conservatoire, where she studied

with Håkan Hardenberger. She began learning the trumpet from the age

of seven and joined Royston Town Band at the age of eight, alternating

between cornet and flugel horn. In 1998, she was a finalist in the BBC

Young Musician of the Year competition and, in 2006, she was named

best Young British Classical Performer at the Classical Brit Awards and also

won the Classic FM Listeners’ Choice Award. Alison is a Visiting Professor

of trumpet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, but, as she

revealed in an interview with the Sunday Times, still plays with Royston

Town Band on Christmas morning, although never as principal cornet, as

the band considers she doesn’t attend enough rehearsals!

On 12 September this year, she will be joining the mezzo-soprano,

Sarah Connolly, the BBC Singers, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the

BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the BBC’s Principal Guest

Conductor, American David Robertson, at the Royal Albert Hall in the Last

Night of the Proms, in which her contribution will include Joseph Haydn’s

Trumpet Concerto. Perhaps one day Royston Town might let her play

principal cornet, but only if she improves her attendance record, of course!

BB

BB 2-3.indd 3 14-04-2009 17:01:38

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 4

NEWS

The Southern Counties Amateur Bands

Association (SCABA) welcomed 22 bands to its

annual Spring Contest at the Town Hall in Hove

on 5 April. Speaking before the announcement

of results from the morning session, adjudicator,

Colin Hardy, said that he was very impressed

with the choices made by the bands in this

own-choice contest.

Once again, Mode for… sponsored the Youth

Section by offering all competing youth bands

a £50 voucher to purchase music from the

Company’s catalogue. This sponsorship deal

started at the Autumn Contest last October

and will continue for all SCABA contests in

2009. SCABA’s Media Officer commented: “we

are extremely grateful to Mode for… for its

generosity. We are trying to encourage youth

bands into contesting and, hopefully, with the

opportunity of boosting their libraries, this

might encourage the bands take part. There are

one or two youth bands out there; we just need

them now to test the water. Over the last few

months, SCABA has greatly missed the presence

of its Chairman, John Williams, who has been

undergoing treatment for his illness, but it was

fantastic to see him again on Sunday.”

The results were:

Championship Section

March

1. Friary Guildford (A. Porter)

Test-piece

1. Friary Guildford (A. Porter)

Best Instrumentalist: Richard Straker (Friary

Guildford)

Best Bass Section: Friary Guildford

1st Section

March

1. Tilbury (A. Duguid) (drawn 5) 188

2. Uckfield Concert Brass (S. McIntyre) (6) 187

3=. Brass a Musica (M. Dils) (1) 186

3=. Horsham Borough (K. Maxwell) (7) 186

Test-piece

1. Brighton and Hove City (M. Hackett) (8) 185

2. Tilbury (A. Duguid) (5) 184

3. BAE Systems Brass (K. Woodger) (4) 182

4. Brass a Musica (M. Dils) (1) 181

Best Bass Section: Brighton and Hove City

Best Horn Section: Tilbury

Best Tenor Trombone: Andrew Harrington

(Tilbury)

Best Bass Trombone: Nathaniel Dye (Fairlop)

Conductor’s Prize: Matthew Hackett (Brighton

and Hove City)

2nd Section

March

1. Uckfield Concert Brass (S. McIntyre) (2) 185

2. Hangleton (M. Pollard) (3) 183

3=. Cranbrook Town (I. Lanceley) (1) 182

3=. LGB Brass (I. Stewart) (6) 182

Test-piece

1. Uckfield Concert Brass (S. McIntyre) (2) 184

2. Hangleton (M. Pollard) (3) 182

3. LGB Brass (I. Stewart) (6) (181)

4. Cranbrook Town (I. Lanceley) (1) 180

Best Instrumentalist: Marcus Plant (Uckfield

Concert Brass)

Best Trombone Section: Hangleton

Conductor’s Prize: Steve McIntyre (Uckfield

Concert Brass)

3rd Section

March

1. Cobham (D. Ruel) (4) 177

2. Patcham Silver (J. Benka-Coker) (1) 175

3. Snowdown Colliery (K. Spencer) (2) 173

4. Crystal Palace ‘B’ (I. Whittaker) (3) 171

Test-piece

1. Cobham (D. Ruel) (4) 182

2. Snowdown Colliery (K. Spencer) (2) 181

3. Patcham Silver (J. Benka-Coker) (1) 180

4. Crystal Palace ‘B’ (I. Whittaker) (3) 178

Best Instrumentalist: Keith Pritchard (Snowdown

Colliery)

Best Solo Cornet Section: Cobham

Best Horn Section: Patcham Silver

Conductor’s Prize: David Ruel (Cobham)

Youth Section

March

1. Shanklin Town Youth (M. Lewis) (2) 181

2. Hangleton Youth (M. Pollard) (1) 179

Test-piece

1. Shanklin Town Youth (M. Lewis) (2) 180

2. Hangleton Youth (M. Pollard) (1) 178

Best Instrumentalist: Ashley Wicks (Shanklin

Town Youth)

Conductor’s Prize: Malcolm Lewis (Shanklin

Town Youth)

BB

Far-travelled bands at Carnegie HallThe Fife Brass Band Festival takes place next

Saturday (25th) in Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline,

where 27 bands will line up to play concert

programmes throughout the day. Among the

furthest travelled groups, Felling Band, from

the North of England region, and Campbeltown

Brass from the Mull of Kintyre will once again

make the trip to Dunfermline. Local Fife bands

are also represented by Dunfermline Town,

Buckhaven and Methil, Lochgelly, Tullis Russell

Mills and Dysart Colliery. This year, two non-

contesting bands, Callander Brass and Arbroath

Instrumental Junior Band, will take part to

give their players experience and they will

receive comments on their performances from

adjudicator, Derek Southcott.

The event starts with bands in the 4th Section

at 9.30am and tickets will be available at the

door.

Stephen Sykes became the Lions UK Trombone

Champion at Birmingham Conservatoire

on 4 April. The competition, which was

the culmination of the British phase of the

Lions European Music Competition, had

representation from all parts of the UK.

Adjudicators, Bob Hughes (former bass

trombonist with the London Symphony

Orchestra), David Purser (Head of Brass,

Birmingham Conservatoire) and trombonist,

Neil Samuel, praised Stephen for his

outstanding playing, both musically and

technically, in his chosen pieces, Ballade

by Eugene Bozza and Aria and Polonaise by

Jongen. Stephen will now perform as the UK

representative in Tampere, Finland in the

European Final in September.

A few days earlier, Stephen won the Concerto

Class at Bath Music Festival, one of the most

prestigious festivals in the music calendar. In

the final, he competed against finalists from

both the string and piano sections and became

the first brass player to win the Concerto Final

since the competition began in 1922.

This is a busy time for Stephen, as he will also

be playing with Cory Band in its bid to retain

the European title in Ostend next month.

Encouraging event at Hove

BB BBSykes becomes Lions UK Trombone Champion

BB 4-5.indd 4 14-04-2009 17:01:13

PROFILE

George Adey - 91 not out!Rodney Newton talks to 91 year-old George Adey of Thundersley Band, one of the oldest active bandsmen in the

country, about his long banding career

Some folk seem to be blessed with a perpetual

source of energy. At an age when most people

would be sitting by the fire and taking trips

down memory lane, George Adey is up and

about, attending band rehearsals and taking

part in concerts with the enthusiasm and

vigour of a man half his age.

Born on 14 March 1918 in Raweth, Essex,

George Adey was educated at Rayleigh

Secondary School. Initally, on leaving school, he

worked for his father in the family decorating

business, but changed career, working for

a medical research company before joining

the Merchant Navy. The years of World War II,

however, saw George back on dry land, enlisted

into the Army. On his demobilisation, he joined

the Ford Motor Company as a vehicle road

test driver. However, after 20 years behind the

steering wheel, he changed his career once

again and joined the Post Office as a postman

(high grade), where he remained until his

retirement.

His involvement with brass playing came at the

age of 12 years. He recalled: “My father asked a

friend if he would teach me to play a baritone

which was old and battered. I was thrilled,

and managed to play various scales. I played

in Goodmayes Salvation Army Band, before

being forced to discontinue playing due to

my circumstances. One special memory I have

of my time in the Merchant Navy, was when

I was sailing between the United States and

the United Kingdom. During one shore leave, I

went to the local Salvation Army hall, met the

officers of the corps and the musicians, and

I was invited to play with them for a Sunday

service. On subsequent visits to New York, I was

invited to join the families and play in the band.

I never lost my interest, though, and played

occasionally in a small church band. However,

my enlistment into the Army (stationed in

Austria) encouraged me to get involved with

the Band of the 5th Battalion Northamptonshire

Regiment. Although a friend of my father

originally taught me to play, I have been mostly

self-taught, with the encouragement from

the members of various bands, and especially

from my mother, who was a brilliant organist.

It was my parents, with their determination to

find someone who was willing to train me, that

have been the greatest influence on my playing

career.

“After the war, I met, by chance, the bandleader

of the Romford Town Band, who invited me to

join the band. I began on soprano cornet, but

my friend, Tommy Bell, who was also a soprano

player, joined the band and it was decided

that two soprano players were not required,

Over his long life, George has seen a number

of conductors come and go, although Major

George Willcocks in his Fairey and Black Dyke

days and Romford’s own Jock Anderson

remain in his memory as particularly fine.

He has also seen a number of developments

affect brass bands, and observed, “There have

been numerous changes over the years, and I

have witnessed the demise of the brass band

throughout the country and the number of

people learning to play the instruments. The

music has changed so much, and the musical

arrangements have become more varied and

more complicated to play (or is it my age?).

The standard of the bands, especially in the

competitions, has increased and complete

dedication to the instrument (and to one’s

practise) is required. The bands are not as

popular as they once were, but the enthusiasm

of the players makes up for this loss. Also, I

have noticed with my band, that the audience

is growing each year. My playing days are

coming to a close, but I will still be involved

in the band through my recent promotion

to the office of Vice-President. I consider this

an honour and I will continue to promote

the band, even though I will not be a playing

member.”

According to Thundersely Band’s Secretary,

Richard Folkstone, George Adey has never

missed a single rehearsal during his entire

two-and-a-half years with the band. Although

his playing career may be drawing to a close,

there is one final event booked for this coming

December, when he will play Make Me a

Channel of Thy Peace as a solo at the band’s

Christmas concert. All at British Bandsman

salute the wonderful example of dedication

and enthusiasm that is George Adey.

so I was asked if I would change instruments

and play solo horn, which I did. I remained

with Romford for 45 years but, at the end of

that period, my wife suddenly became ill, and I

had to discontinue my playing in order to care

for her, as the journey between my home in

Brentford and Romford made it impossible to

do both. After my wife died, I felt in need of

an interest in life and, by chance, I met some

members of Thundersley Brass Band at the

local fête. They suggested that I attended a

rehearsal and, although I considered myself too

old and out of practise to join them, I found,

with their encouragement, that I was able to

play and I have been a member of the band

for two years now. Due to my age, I don’t take

part in contests, but I do play the odd solo, and

recently I played a duet with our solo baritone

player. However, I am normally to be found

among the 2nd or 3rd cornets.”

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 5

George in his younger days at Romford, sitting in the front row, fourth from the right

BB 4-5.indd 5 14-04-2009 17:01:14

essays

DaviD Daws prepares to make a comeback after lip surgeryBy Anthony Leggett

Cornet star, David Daws, former principal cornet of the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army (ISB) and now of the Hendon SA Band - who has been authoritatively described as ‘one of the great cornet players of all time’ - is currently out of action for six months as he recovers from lip surgery in Canada

to repair a ruptured orbicularis oris muscle in his upper lip. Also known as

‘Satchmo’s Syndrome’ because Louis Armstrong suffered with it in 1935, this is an injury that can

cripple a brass player by causing

fatigue, pain and a deterioration

of the sound.

British BAnDSmAn Page 6

BB 6-7.indd 6 14-04-2009 17:56:03

ESSAYS

WS PREPARES TO MAKE AFTER LIP SURGERY

David has released four solo CDs and toured as

a soloist in countries including Australia, New

Zealand, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Sweden

and the Netherlands during his glittering

playing career (he was also principal cornet

of the Enfield Citadel Band prior to moving

to Hendon). However, he will, perhaps, be

best remembered by the brass band world

at large for his brilliant (and humorous) duet

performances with Roger Webster at the Royal

Albert Hall Epic Brass concert with Black Dyke

Band and the ISB in October 2001, and also

the Eric Ball Centenary Concert by the same

bands at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham,

two years later, when he was called in at just a

few hours notice to deputise for Roger Webster

and gave a stunning solo performance from

memory of the immensely difficult original

version of Eric Ball’s Clear Skies.

However, it was early in 2005 that David

began to experience embouchure problems.

“My lip constantly felt tired and, without my

knowing it, my embouchure was changing

as I endeavoured to cope with the problem,”

David recalls. He tried at first to resolve matters

by simply resting his lip – not easy when

playing with an SA brass band and with a busy

schedule. “It made playing very difficult and

I have had many anxious moments, needing

to constantly rest in rehearsals and in band

concerts. The high range, in particular, suffered,”

he added.

There were occasions when David realised

that he was totally unable to play in front of

the public without suffering embarrassment.

In June 2005, he was the soloist with the ISB

at a large SA event at the Royal Albert Hall

and, at a rehearsal with the band a few days

before it, was playing the solo, Golden Slippers,

when, after a couple of bars rest in the first

movement, he found that he couldn’t get his

embouchure right and missed his next entry –

“Very worrying!” he commented, continuing,

“During the afternoon rehearsal on the day of

the concert, playing through a simple melody,

I was in big trouble: the concert starting in an

hour or so, my lips not working properly and

I felt as though I had already been playing for

three hours. This was indeed frightening, and I

still haven’t watched the DVD of the event!”

He continued: “The first engagement I had

to actually pull out of was the Gala Concert

preceding the Brass in Concert Championships

at The Sage Gateshead in November 2005,

when Alan Morrison deputised for me. This

obviously caused me a great deal of concern;

one doesn’t want to be considered unreliable.”

David tried all sorts of investigations and

remedies, including MRI scans at Harley Street,

acupuncture sessions, muscle relaxants and

electric shock treatment. “I saw nine different

medical specialists throughout the UK, and

it was very frustrating to be passed from one

to another, none of whom could help. The

last few years have been a bit of a nightmare.

There have been times when I have felt good,

followed by periods when producing a bottom

C is a major hurdle. I made a CD with Brass Band

de Waldsang in 2007 and never once practised

the last note in Martyn Thomas’ A Song to Swing,

as I simply wasn’t able to. At the recording

session, it was the last track to be recorded and

I just crossed my fingers, hoped for the best,

and went for it, knowing that it would finish me

off!”

“In June 2007, I realised that I would probably

need surgery, having felt during solo playing

that I had lost all control, and having endured

many new starts before confidence was

destroyed through my inability to play the

easiest of pieces. Instead, I had a number of

months out and hoped that things would sort

themselves out. I returned to Hendon Band in

April 2008 and, for a while, things seemed OK.

I had personally often complained of a ‘hole’ in

my top lip and it was only through visiting Dr.

J. Simon McGrail - a world-renowned physician

in Toronto, regarded as ‘the guru of injured

brass players and vocalists’ - in September 2008,

that a torn muscle was diagnosed, with surgery

being the only real solution. After playing as a

guest with Enfield Citadel Band the following

month, lacking stamina and with a very

uncomfortable lip, I realised that surgery was,

indeed, my only option.”

Dr McGrail is thought to be the only surgeon

now carrying out this type of operation to repair

ruptures of the orbicularis oris muscle, and has

performed it on approximately 60 patients.

David travelled to Toronto just before Christmas

last year when, under local anaesthetic, an

incision was made along the top of his lip. The

surgeon said it was difficult for him to raise the

skin flap due to heavy scar tissue, but when

the muscle was exposed David was asked to

‘buzz’. A mid-line rupture of the muscle then

became apparent, Dr. McGrail saying that it was

about the worst he had seen. He shortened and

then stitched the torn muscle together, leaving

self-dissolving stitches inside the skin before

replacing and stitching the skin flap.

David is now required to follow an extended

programme of ‘lip convalescence’ for

approximately six months without playing at all.

Daily lip stretching exercises are required and

he telephones Dr. McGrail monthly to report

on progress. He doesn’t expect to play again in

rehearsals with Hendon Band until about May,

but then anticipates performing as a soloist

again round about September – though he

hopes that it will be before the smallest possible

crowd!

“Some people have suggested that my playing

problems were ‘in the mind’, but I can certainly

say that is not the case,” says David. “However,

suffering with such a disability makes one

draw on all of one’s experience to overcome

the difficulties. People ask me if I miss playing,

which I certainly do, but I would rather not

play on with the injury than continue in such

turmoil, not knowing whether or not I can get

through a piece.”

David is still conducting the fine Young Peoples’

Band at Hendon and a plus during his ‘play

freeze’ has been the opportunity to meet and

have tuition with renowned trumpeter and

teacher, David James, and his wife, Rita, a

number of times at their home near Aberdeen.

“I have spent thousands of pounds (the

operation alone cost 6,000 Canadian dollars)

seeking an answer to my debilitating

embouchure problems but, although the cornet

is safely locked away in my loft, I am fairly

confident for the future,” is David’s positive

assertion. “I know that I have met with the

right surgeon and I look forward to resuming

playing.”

The many thousands of people who have been

charmed and thrilled by David’s wonderful

cornet sound, superlative technique and

supreme artistry in the past will certainly wish

him well on the road to recovery.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 7

BB 6-7.indd 7 14-04-2009 17:01:57

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 8

FEATURE

In a letter from

America, Steve Walker,

Director of Butlins

Mineworkers’ Brass

Band Festival, reflects

on his recent trip to the

North American Brass

Band Championships in

Louisville, Kentucky.

It was all going so well for the Butlins team,

having had a fabulous weekend as guests of

the North American Brass Band Association

(NABBA) and its President, Russell ‘Rusty’

Morris, at the organisation’s 27th Brass Band

Championships. The host city, Louisville,

Kentucky, was in the grip of ‘Cardinal fever’,

as the local ladies basketball team was

heading to the grand final, while the city, the

birthplace of Muhammad Ali, had seen another

heavyweight performance from the Fountain

City Brass Band to claim a hat-trick of titles in

the Championship Section. Then, suddenly, the

weather turned, flights were grounded and we

found ourselves stranded and chasing twisters.

Having found sanctuary back at the luxurious

Brown Hotel, the host hotel of NABBA 2009, it

seemed like a good opportunity to reflect on

why we were even here in the first place and

what we had learned.

Since the Mineworkers’ came to Skegness in

2003, Butlins has visited most of the major

brass band contests in the UK, making friends

and exchanging ideas. Innovation has always

been at the forefront of all the Butlins ideals

and this has resulted in our growing friendship

with NABBA, which began with the visit of

Doug Yeo, NABBA’s Vice-president and bass

trombone superstar, to Skegness in 2007.

Doug returned more recently in 2009, together

with President Rusty, as our association began

to flourish. Rusty and the NABBA board of

directors are keen to learn from their UK

counterparts but, despite our long heritage

and some world-class bands and soloists, the

Brits could certainly learn a thing or two from

our friends on the other side of the pond. The

apparent decline in the British banding scene

has been well documented, especially after

our recent Regional Championships. The same

thing could be said about the scene ‘Stateside’

(18 bands competed this year compared to

22 in 2008), although this can be attributed

to several extenuating circumstances. One

only had to be here in Louisville to witness

how the movement continues to grow and

flourish, while the presence of UK names in

the extensive trade show leads us to suspect

that the shrewd ones are already exploring this

developing market.

With much conjecture on the future of banding

in the UK, including the current debate

concerning the integrity of our adjudicators,

this is the exact opposite of all that is going

on in the US. We can learn much about the

true spirit of healthy competition from our

NABBA friends. Perhaps the fact that there

was absolutely no prize money at stake had

something to do with this. It was interesting to

see Rusty Morris briefly swap his organisational

role to lead his fine Natural State Brass Band

BB 8-9.indd 8 14-04-2009 17:03:36

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 9

Doug Yeo (Vice-president of NABBA), Steve Walker and Rusty Morris

(President of NABBA). Photo courtesy of Frank Washburn

in which it encourages its youth movement,

while the Open Section encourages bands

without the exact brass band instrumentation

to become involved. NABBA has found that,

once these ensembles have been part of a

major festival, the French horns are soon

replaced with tenor horns and they move up

into the more conventional Explorer Section.

The solo and ensemble competitions provided

valuable performance opportunities to

appreciative audiences, while the youth band

section was given a prime slot just before the

Championship Section results. This proved

to be an inspired decision, as the winner,

Triangle Youth Brass Band, drew another

standing ovation from an ecstatic audience

with its breathtaking performance of the last

movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.

4. The band’s conductor, Tony Granados,

is a legend in these parts, and this writer in

particular would love to know his secret in

extracting such a remarkable level of maturity,

professionalism and incredible enthusiasm

from these youngsters. The audience went

ballistic at the conclusion of this performance,

which alone was well worth the trip.

It still remains that the brass band’s historic

contests and traditions in the UK are the envy

of our American friends, but it appears the

things Stateside are moving forward at a rapid

FEATURE

to victory in the Challenge Section. Far from

the cries of foul play that we Brits were

expecting, the band’s stunning performances

of Kenneth Downie’s Purcell Variations and

Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s Vitae Aeternum brought

the enthusiastic audience to its feet. True

enough, the band had won the contest by an

undisputed country mile but, nevertheless, the

congratulations offered to Morris by his rivals

was genuine and sincere. In the current climate

of suspicion in the UK, would Butlins advisor,

Stan Lippeatt, enjoy similar treatment if he

were to lead a band to victory in Skegness?

The use of a ‘walkie-talkie’ system between

adjudicators, controllers and backstage crew

replaced the customary UK use of whistles

and lights, and continuity announcers who

knew how to use a microphone correctly gave

a more professional flow to the proceedings.

Even the percussionists (four in the majority

of bands) were afforded a sensible amount of

time to set up. NABBA, like Bullins, appreciates

the fact that percussion sections enhance

a band’s performance and, therefore, the

audience’s experience. It was a refreshing

change not to be fixated on the time it takes

the percussionists to get set.

Despite the fact that NABBA has a policy of

closed adjudication (at least semi-closed

adjudication, as the box didn’t have a back on

it!), the draw was printed in the programme

along with precise onstage timings for every

band. This was much appreciated by the most

important people at any band contest – the

paying public, who also didn’t seem to mind

that the adjudicators would have had a fair

idea of who was on stage if they had cared

to take a look at the NABBA website. NABBA

recorded all the performances and mixed in the

adjudicators recorded remarks directly onto

CDs that the bands could take away with them.

This meant that, on reflection, the bands could

listen again to their performances and also

hear the thoughts of the judges at that precise

time – cool huh? All the adjudicators were

later presented to the large audience, who had

stayed in the auditorium after the results, to

receive generous applause. The attitude of fair

play and sportsmanship meant that they were

happy to meet and greet all the competitors

who wished to speak to them without fear of

being verbally abused, something we don’t

see in major British contests, at which the halls

clear faster than a Le Mans start.

NABBA must also be congratulated for the way

rate of knots. Several of the bands there have

already visited and competed on our shores

and, later this year, the NABBA Champion,

Fountain City, will be hoping to add the

Scottish Open and Brass in Concert titles to its

roll of honour. Next year, Rusty Morris and his

high-flying Natural State Brass Band will be on

tour in the UK, and 2011 may see an all-star

NABBA band visiting Butlins. If we are able to

base our opinions of these bands with our ears

and not our eyes, we may soon see the day

when one of the American bands walks away

with one our coveted titles. NABBA is keen to

learn from us and I would suggest that a trip

to Raleigh, North Carolina for the 28th NABBA

Championships in 2010 may be also beneficial

to those at the forefront of British banding.

Louisville is a city packed with culture and

heritage and has welcomed NABBA with open

arms. A visit to the famous Louisville Slugger

factory, where they make the finest baseball

bats in the world, serves as a reminder that

we in the UK must ‘step up to the plate’ if

we are going to stay ahead of the game. The

Butlins team had a wonderful time with NABBA

and thank the organisers sincerely for their

hospitality. In the meantime, until we meet

again in Skegness next year, ‘have a nice day!

BB 8-9.indd 9 14-04-2009 17:03:42

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 10

BRASS ROOTSPeel Park in Salford, behind the University and

what is now the City Museum, is where local

artist, L.S. Lowry, studied art and was once the

subject for a few of his paintings. On these

1920s paintings, the bandstand was featured,

with one of numerous local bands on the stage

and a very large crowd admiring it. Today, a

grass circle marks the site of the bandstand and

only four bands are left in existence in the city,

finding much smaller crowds, even if they do

play in one of the city’s parks. Like most cities,

brass bands have declined at an alarming rate

in Salford and, while migrating populations,

changes in people’s habits, and a lack of interest

in the genre are all contributory factors in the

downward spiral, the inability to attract new

blood, especially among the young is usually

the main reasons bands have struggled to fill

seats.

Salford Education’s MAPAS, or Music and

Performing Arts Service, to give its formal title,

is helping to nurture the green shoots that

may one day lead to a brass revival. It recently

teamed up with the Hallé Brass Quintet to help

encourage young brass players to further their

interest in playing, and maybe eventually to

become musicians.

Manchester’s famous orchestra has an

education department whose remit is to

encourage and develop closer links with the

local community and, maybe, break down

the barriers that are sometimes perceived of

professional musicians. Stephen Pickett, the

Hallé’s Director of Education and a former

bassoon player, was asked to compose a piece

that young players and the quintet could play

in a series of classes that would culminate in a

concert performance. His own daughter’s move

to a life in New Zealand inspired a challenging

work entitled Christchurch Bound, the main

theme of which was based on the Maori song

Po Atarau.

MAPAS formed a brass band to work with

the Hallé Brass Quintet and, although tenor

horns were replaced by French ones, it was

an opportunity for pupils of Grade 5 standard

and above to work with professionals and

experience full brass playing. With a programme

that included Edward Gregson’s Prelude for an

Occasion, the hard work culminated in a concert

showcasing the new group alongside the rest of

MAPAS work, including percussion, drama and

wind groups in the Peel Hall. Stephen directed

the band for his own work and Ewan Easton, the

quintet’s tuba player, led the ensemble in the

rest of the concert. His direction showed what

a talented musical trainer he is, and it would be

nice to see him more often in brass band circles.

He demonstrated the Quintet’s talents to great

appreciation during the concert.

MAPAS Director, Richard Milton, bass

trombonist with Whitworth Vale and Healey

Band, was pleased with the new relationships

forged with the Hallé and he later commented:

“I feel that working closely with top professional

players has had huge benefits, not only for

the young people, but also for the team of

brass teachers. The confidence of some of

the young players sitting in a band next to

experienced musicians and teachers has soared.

The ‘learning from Nelly’ approach to teaching

has been a tradition in brass bands since their

conception and there is still a place for that

method in today’s education system.”

He went on to thank his staff and the pupils

for their commitment and he hoped that the

young brass players would go forward to strive

for the excellence demonstrated by the Hallé

brass players.

Future artists in Salford may never have the

opportunity to paint a modern version of

Lowry’s iconic image and the four city bands

may decline further, but at least the educators

of the city are making a huge effort to

inspire their pupils to learn an enjoyable and

worthwhile skill that may one day enrich the

city’s musical life.

John Stirzaker

Ringwood and Burley Band was on the

quayside at Southampton over Easter weekend

to play the cruise liner, Oceana, away on its

voyage. During the summer, the band will be

also playing other liners off on their journeys,

performing on the quayside as the final loading

of passengers and luggage takes place and

playing suitable music as the liners sail away.

Following the publication of his letter on the subject of bandstand concerts in last week’s BB, Mr.

Leonard Atter, of Eastbourne, has kindly sent in this picture of Eastbourne Silver Band, performing

last Sunday (12th) at the Bandstand in his home town.

Although we are happy to report that free bandstand concerts will take place throughout the UK in

the months ahead, very few of the venues will have bands performing during the month of April.

BB’s Bands in the Parks feature will begin in time for the May Bank Holiday weekend and any bands

or organisations wishing to have a free listing in BB should send the details to

info@britishbandsman.com

Hannaford Street Silver Band (HSSB) held its

annual Festival of Brass weekend at Toronto’s St.

Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts from

3 to 5 April. The weekend was a great success,

with various bands from the southern Ontario

area participating, along with special American

guest, Brass Band of Columbus. On the Sunday

afternoon, HSSB took to the stage to present

Slide Show, with guest conductor, Alain Trudel,

and trombone soloist, Joseph Alessi of the New

York Philharmonic.

The band got the concert off in fine style with

Jaime Texidor’s sparkling march, Bonds of

Friendship. Next up was Holst’s Second Suite in F,

here given a fresh reading by the band, thanks to

Trudel stamping his own personality on the work.

Joe Alessi was then introduced, and he presented

Bram Tovey’s challenging work for trombone and

band, Urban Cabaret. In his introductory remarks,

Alain Trudel gave some useful insight into the

piece, explaining that the composer’s intention

was to suggest, through musical ideas, the soloist

making his way through the din and bustle of

New York City, to a Philharmonic concert. The

work is certainly challenging for band and soloist,

yet keeps the listener interested throughout.

There were occasional hints of Bernstein in there,

which was appropriate when his connection to

the famous orchestra is considered, plus lots of

funky percussion. Alessi never fails to impress

BB 10-11.indd 10 14-04-2009 17:00:39

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 11

As part of its centenary celebrations,

Christchurch and Highcliffe Band will be

launching a training band in May. The band

was started by the then vicar of Highcliffe, who

donated money for its formation. Over the

years, it has evolved and gone under several

different names, and its purpose in launching

a training band is to teach and encourage

the next generation to keep the British brass

band tradition going. The band’s President,

Jilly Hills, commented: “It is a pleasure to be

President of such a long-running Band and

a thrill to see the new training band coming

to fruition.” Her husband, David Hills, also a

President of the band, said: “The launch of the

training band will be memorable, as it is the

last event in our centenary year.” The training

band will be launched on Tuesday 12 May at

The Rainbow Pre-School, 254 Lymington Road,

Highcliffe, BH23 5ET at 6.30pm. Instruments

can be provided for those who do not have

their own and anyone of eight years and over

is welcome to come along and see if playing

a brass instrument is for them. Tuition fees

and instrument loan will be £17.50 per school

term. Members of the training band will have

a rare opportunity to meet Brighouse and

Rastrick Band at a masterclass at Highcliffe

Comprehensive School on the morning of

Sunday 14 June. Depending on their musical

ability, they will be invited to join in the

class or just come and listen. Further details

can be obtained from Margaret Townsend

on 01425 271651, 07754 737407 or e-mail

megtownsend46@yahoo.co.uk The band

will also be holding the final concert of its

centenary year on Friday 24 April at 7.30

pm at The Salvation Army Hall, Palmerston

Road, Boscombe. The band will be playing

its favourite music in what promises to be

an enjoyable night of brass and celebration.

Accompanying the band will be Poole Borough

Band and the Avon Valley Chorus.

BRASS ROOTSwith his sound and impeccable technique,

and fully deserved the sustained applause

from the full house. The first half concluded

with Edward Gregson’s popular Variations on

Laudate Dominum. This included the two new

movements, which I find freshens up the piece

for those who may have found it becoming too

‘familiar’. The band gave a splendid performance,

thanks in no small part to Trudel’s confident

interpretation and direction.

To begin the second half, the band gave a

rousing rendition of Malcolm Arnold’s march,

The Padstow Lifeboat, always a crowd favourite.

Joseph Alessi then returned to perform Philip

Sparke’s Sambezi, which was also given an

effortless performance by the soloist. I especially

liked the feature in the middle of the piece

where the band’s trombone section stands to

join the soloist in a jazzy answering figure. Alessi

played a ‘lick’ and was answered in kind by

the section, all to percussion accompaniment.

As the ‘licks’ got more difficult, the section

sheepishly sat down, leaving the soloist to

continue on his own, almost sending a ‘We give

up’ signal! The crowd enjoyed this moment. One

of Alessi’s attribute’s is his ability to maintain a

consistent sound right through the range. His

note production, particularly when starting a

high note is something to hear and he really is

a master of the instrument. After this item, the

HSSB’s Executive Director, Ray Tizzard, stepped

forward to announce the winner of the young

soloist competition, which was adjudicated

on the Friday evening by Alessi and Trudel.

The winner, Kohei Kamikawa, is a product of

the Hannaford Youth programme, and he was

introduced to play Arban’s Carnival of Venice,

accompanied by the band. From this secure and

confident performance, I expect we’ll be hearing

more from this young euphonium soloist in the

future. The mood was changed, as Joe Alessi

gave a sensitive rendition of Stephen Adams’

classic song, The Holy City; lovely playing again

from soloist and band.

Alain Trudel is no slouch when it comes to

trombone virtuosity, and he joined Joe Alessi

to present Arthur Pryor’s Air Variè in duet form.

This was a treat, as two of the finest exponents

of the instrument wowed the audience with

slide pyrotechnics galore. Following sustained

applause, Trudel and Alessi joined the band’s

trombone section for a rousing finale, in

the form of Meredith Willson’s Seventy-six

Trombones. An appropriate way to conclude a

most enjoyable afternoon. After several curtain

calls and shouts of ‘bravo’, Joe Alessi returned

to play Derek Ashmore’s arrangement of

Bolivar. Kudos to Ray Tizzard and his team for

another excellent Festival of Brass weekend.

Stan Ewing

Highcliffe Brass Band c.1910 - Ian Stevenson Collection.

The halls of Groby Community College were

once again ringing with the sound of slow

melodies, duets, air varies and quartets, as

Leicestershire Brass Band Association’s

Spring Solo Contest got underway on Sunday

5 April, performing to the trusted ears of

adjudicators, Sharon Stansfield, Keith Leonard

and Ian Bartram.

An impressive turnout from local bands, as well

as those from further afield, showed that the

tradition of brass banding continues to thrive

in the Midlands. Over 50 competitors under the

age of 14 battled it out in the two youngest

sections, with increasing entries in the open

sections also. Shirland Band continued its recent

successful run, claiming titles in a Junior Slow

Melody and both Junior Quartet sections. There

was also a fine array of instruments on display,

with soprano cornets in the Junior Slow Melody

and three bass trombonists competing in the

Open Slow Melody. This year, the first prize

went to bass trombonist, Stephen Lomas, who

was delighted to finally add a slow melody title

to his increasing successes in the art of air and

variations.

Leading the way in the Open Quartets were the

ladies from Amington band, closely followed

by a foursome from City of Coventry. A number

of special prizes were also awarded in the

open sections, including the highest placed

Duet under 19 years of age, which went to

the brother and sister act of Alcha and Smain

Mokrane from Bestwood Band.

Results:

Junior Slow Melody (ten and under)

1. Josh Watson (Harborough)

2. Alice Watson (Harborough)

3. William Davies

Junior Slow Melody (11-14)

1. Catherine Ashley (Shirland)

2. Smain Mokrane (Bestwood)

3. Alcha Mokrane (Bestwood)

Junior Slow Melody (15-18)

1. Ian Mildowski (Hathern)

2. Lewis Squires (Shirland)

3. Adam Jones (Harborough)

Open Slow Melody

1. Stephen Lomas (Hucknall)

2. Emma Walton (Shirland)

3. Steve Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)

Junior Air Varie

1. Adam Jones (Harborough)

2. Adam Whittle (Shirland)

3. Lewis Squires (Shirland)

Open Air Varie

Stephen Lomas (Hucknall)

2. Steve Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)

3. Chris Lock (Derwent)

Open Duets

1. Sam Scutt and Graham Jacklin

(Leicestershire Co-op)

2. Richard Capstack and Nick Lear

(Leicestershire Co-op)

3. Patricia and Peter Woodings (Newhall)

Highest placed under 19 Years: Alcha and Smain

Mokrane (Bestwood)

Junior Hymn Tune Quartets

1. Shirland ‘A’

2. Hathern Youth

3. Hathern Training

Junior Quartets

1. Shirland Cornets and Flugel

2. Shirland

3. Shirland Euphoniums and Trombones

Open Quartets

1. Amington

2. City of Coventry

3. Newhall

Open Percussion

1. Luke Timson (Bestwood)

Highest placed under 19 Years: Luke Timson

(Bestwood)

BB 10-11.indd 11 14-04-2009 17:00:41

If there are any doubts or concerns about the

quality of young players being developed

within banding, any negative thoughts were

blown away in Manchester last Saturday in

a memorable concert by the National Youth

Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB). Eighty-

plus players from between the ages of 12 and

18 had met the previous week in Harrogate to

undertake the 2009 Easter Course. This is the

first of two meetings this year, with the second

taking place at Bromsgrove in August.

Bramwell Tovey, who succeeded Elgar Howarth

as Artistic Director in 2006, appears to revel in

his role of inspiring these young musicians, and

this was especially evident on this night at the

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Saturday’s programme included new music

from banding’s hottest new composing talent,

Salvation Army classics, an exciting work for

band and piano, and established classics from

Gilbert Vinter and Malcolm Arnold.

Towering display byNYBBGB at Manchesterby John Ward

ACCENT ON YOUTH

It was the Malcolm Arnold contribution that

opened up a substantial offering from the band.

Little Suite for Brass was composed in 1963 for the

NYBBGB’s younger sibling, the National Youth

Brass Band of Scotland. Through its extensive

use in virtually all levels of banding since

then, it would be easy to simply hear ‘another’

performance of this work, but the freshness of

the reading by conductor and the execution

by players, totally uncorrupted by the staleness

that over-familiarity with a piece can breed,

provided an excellent start to the evening. The

second movement afforded the audience its first

opportunity to revel in the playing of principal

cornet, James Fountain, who proved to be the

evening’s, and by all accounts, the course’s

outstanding performer.

Next up was John O’Gaunt by Gilbert Vinter, a

piece which Bramwell Tovey suggested had

been overlooked in favour of other works by

the same composer such as Variations on a

Ninth (which was performed on the last NYBBGB

course). The recent selections of Salute to Youth

for the Regional Championships and Spectrum

would prove this assessment to be true, and it

was good to hear one of Vinter’s less familiar

works receive an airing. To say that this was not

the group’s most convincing performance of the

concert would not be a criticism, it simply serves

to highlight the standard set by the rest of the

evening. That said, the performance did highlight

many of the subtleties of Vinter’s writing, and

there was an effective depiction of St. Clements

Danes Church bells, the setting of John O’Gaunt’s

third marriage, in the opening bars.

There followed two Salvation Army works, the

first of which was Dean Goffin’s variations, My

Strength, My Tower. Although a long-established

favourite within The Salvation Army, the work

achieved wider recognition through its use

as the 2nd Section test-piece at last year’s

Harrogate ‘Finals’. The difficulties this work

posed for those bands are well documented,

but the NYBBGB, in Bramwell Tovey’s words,

“ate it for breakfast”. Well, perhaps it wasn’t

quite as easy as that, but Dr. Tovey was certainly

accurate in his insinuation that the group

had the musical and technical measure of the

work. From the opening two defiant chords,

depicting the associated text, ‘Thee Will I Love,

My Strength, My Tower,’ it was clear that this

was a performance to ‘sit up’ for. A simple

presentation of the main theme led to a first

variation of considerable stature, the varying

lines and counter melodies were interwoven

beautifully by band and conductor, and the

declamatory statements of the trombone

‘quartet’ (led by a commanding Chris Mansfield)

and entire cornet section towards the end of

the movement, were of the very highest order.

The slower second movement contains a most

demanding cornet solo, one that would test the

very finest cornet players. In fact this listener

has had the opportunity to hear a number

of renowned cornetists tackle this solo with

great authority, but James Fountain’s rendition

here matched the best of them. To say that his

playing belied his age (15 years) would perhaps

be a predictable cliché to use on a night such

as this, but it perfectly describes what the

audience witnessed. The warm and rich sound

with just enough vibrato and colour, and the

vocalised way in which he approached the

line of the solo were simply stunning. Principal

euphonium, Matthew White, also deserves

a special mention for when he joined James

for the second ‘lap’ of the solo, later in the

movement - a special moment indeed. The

precision and contrast displayed in the high-

octane finale capped off a performance of an

exceptionally high standard.

Edward Gregson’s newly-revised Variations

on Laudate Dominum concluded the first

half. Professor Gregson, a former principal

of the RNCM, was in the audience and was

invited to explain his thought process behind

the additional movements, prior to the

performance. Written in 1976, Gregson always

felt that “the piece was too short”, and it was

Paul Hindmarsh who suggested that he fulfilled

his original desire for the work by adding some

movements to exceed the original 12-minute

prescription. The result is like a new coat of

paint – the structure and quality of the ‘wall’

remains undiminished but the extra gloss

allows you too appreciate it in a new way.

The aforementioned fresh approach by the

players contributed much to a highly enjoyable

rendition here.

The second half commenced with works

from two of banding’s emerging composition

talents - Peter Meechan and Simon Dobson.

Macbeth was commissioned by the Scottish

Brass Band Association for the 2007 Scottish

Open Championship, and describes the

Shakespearean tale, on which Bramwell Tovey

did not elaborate … “with children present”!

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 12

Pict

ure:

Jam

es C

hish

olm

.

Bram Tovey with the principals of the NYBBGB’s Easter Course

BB 12-13.indd 12 14-04-2009 17:48:53

ACCENT ON YOUTH

Peter Meechan has scored a fiendishly difficult

cornet cadenza, which James Fountain

despatched with aplomb and, despite the

occasional ‘knock’, there was much to admire

in the Zoe Hancock’s extended flugel lament in

the middle section.

Simon Dobson was then introduced to the

audience as the first Assistant Conductor of the

NYBGGB. He was picked from six shortlisted

candidates (following an intensive audition

process on last year’s Summer Course) and

was present on the Easter course to work

with Bramwell Tovey. Simon is an established

composer and his music has been used at

European ‘B’ Section and National Youth

Championship level. Penlee is one of his newest

works, and it proved to be one of the highlights

of the evening. Simon was invited to explain

the inspiration behind the work and spoke with

great knowledge and genuine insight into the

events of the December evening in 1981, when

the Solomon Browne lifeboat was despatched

from Penlee lifeboat station to answer a

distress call from the Union Star, en route from

the Netherlands to Ireland. The music vividly

describes the pre-Christmas celebration of the

lifeboat crew, interrupted by the call to duty,

the boat being driven dangerously towards the

rocks and all hands being tragically lost. This

was an emotional experience for the audience,

which was taken right through the story,

with the words from Simon and his musical

depiction. The closing moments has echoes of

Peter Graham’s Harrison’s Dream, with muted

cornets symbolising the lost crew members

saying goodbye, as well as a quotation from

Eric Ball’s Resurgam (I Shall Rise Again) in the

euphonium line. The NYBBGB’s fine percussion

section excelled in this work – the scoring

ensuring that it was not just enhancing the

brass work, but integral to the music, and the

five-strong team rose to the challenge with

distinction.

In Macbeth and Penlee, we have two examples

of exciting new works by the new generation

of composers. Both works are accessible, but

both have great substance and are totally free

of the computer-generated ‘cut and paste’

element we are often subjected to today. It is

hoped that those responsible for test-piece

selection, some of whom were in the audience,

will receive word (and a recording) very soon.

If the contesting stage remains one of the few

platforms for bands to perform music of this

length and substance, then it is essential that

works from Simon Dobson and Peter Meechan

are used at one of our major championships,

and soon. They will remain as ‘emerging’, until

the decision-makers allow them to be become

established.

Then to a ‘newish’ work from Bramwell Tovey,

premièred in the same venue in 2006 by the

composer and Foden’s Band. Pictures in the

Smoke is a musical portrayal of Dorothy Parker’s

poem about dating, something to which

Bramwell Tovey suggested in his introduction,

he had great experience of “a long time

ago!” This jazz-influenced score featured the

composer at the piano, Simon Dobson directing

the accompaniment and the impressive kit

playing from Emma Crossley, who provided a

real energy and drive in the performance.

The final programmed work was the late

Canadian, Morley Calvert’s Canadian Folk Song

Suite, another work from the SA repertoire,

which was premièred by the New York Staff

Band in 1968. The second movement afforded

us the final opportunity to delight in James

Fountain’s playing (a young man with the world

at his feet) and some beautiful small ensemble

playing of the She’s like the Swallow folk tune.

An energetic finale ensued at breakneck speed

complete with an infectious hand clapping

sequence!

The NYBBGB concluded a substantial evening

with two encores, the march, Punchinello (with

the now traditional sung da capo) and NYBBGB

board member, Clarence Adoo, directing the

hymn tune, Colne. Clarence was paralysed in

an accident in 1995, and here conducted using

only facial expressions and head movements. It

was a profound moment to see 80-plus pairs of

eyes focused entirely upon Clarence’s leading

– this writer confesses to a lump in the throat

when Bramwell Tovey kissed Clarence’s head at

the conclusion, and the players response to him

following this hymn tune spoke volumes about

the fabulous atmosphere and respect that

abounds within the NYBBGB.

This was a thoroughly satisfying evening; there

is a real sense that, although the NYBBGB

demands high technical standards from its

members, the group is primarily about creating

rounded musicians. Yes, the performances had

much technical polish, but the musical shape,

line and emotional core were so evident, and

this is a credit to the players, conductor, tutors

and organisation as a whole.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 13

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BB 12-13.indd 13 14-04-2009 17:48:57

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 14

WIRELESS BRASS

We take every possible precaution to ensure the accuracy of

the details given below. However, we cannot be responsible for

changes to stated times or running order.

Friday, 24 April, 2130-2200. BBC Radio 2

Listen to the Band. Frank Renton presents a session by Foden’s,

conducted by Michael Fowles. Opening with George Willcocks’ classic

march, The Champions, the band plays Bernstein’s overture to Candide,

the Barry Manilow hit, One Voice, and the programme ends with an

excerpt from Pines of Rome by Respighi.

Listen to the Band is also available all week via Radio 2’s website www.

bbc.co.uk/radio2. Click on the playback section to hear the show, on

demand, for a week following transmission.

World of Brass Radio. John Maines introduces a weekly one-hour

programme of the best of international banding. Commencing on

Fridays, the rolling programme of the most recent four shows can be

accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year on

www.worldofbrass.com (then click on the WOB Radio link) or www.

worldofbrass.com/wobradio

This week’s programme includes: Black Dyke (Roy Newsome): Spirit of

Youth (Blankenburg); Foden’s (Russell Gray): Poet and Peasant (Suppé);

Sunderland Monkwearmouth Band of The Salvation Army (Nicholas

Hall): St. Clement Variations (Silfverberg); Foden’s (Bryan Hurdley):

My Ain Folk (Lemon - soloist: Helen Fox); Fairey (Simon Stonehouse):

South Pacific (Rodgers); Scottish Co-op (Robert Childs): Peace (Golland

- soloist: David Childs); Grimethorpe (Elgar Howarth): Pineapple Poll

(Sullivan/Mackerras); BNFL (Richard Evans): West Side Story (Bernstein);

Cory (Robert Childs): Mr Lear’s Carnival; (Howarth); Black Dyke (Nicholas

Childs): Summon the Dragon (Graham).

Local Radio for next weekSunday, 19 April, 1905-2000. Sounds of Brass. FM frequencies:

Bristol 94.9, Cornwall 95.2, Devon 103.4, Gloucestershire 104.7,

Guernsey 93.2, Jersey 88.8, Swindon 103.6, Wiltshire 104.3.

Available on the World Wide Web at 1905 British time or at any time for

seven days after the broadcast. To hear the programme, access www.

bbc.co.uk/devon and click onto Listen Live or Listen Again.

Phillip Hunt presents a programme of brass band recordings and news.

This week’s edition is the first of three special programmes exploring

the music of Gilbert Vinter, born on 4 May, 1909. Phillip Hunt is in the

company of Paul Hindmarsh, Tim Mutum, David Read and Dr. Andrew

Vinter.

The programme includes: Williams Fairey Engineering (Peter Parkes):

Challenging Brass, Salute to Youth. Simon Called Peter, Elegy from

Entertainments; Black Dyke Mills and Huddersfield Glee and Madrigal

Society with Maurice Murphy (trumpet) and Michael Langdon (bass

vocalist) (Geoffrey Brand): Blazon and Destruction from The Trumpets

Requests and comments are welcome at e-mail: brassmanpgh@

uwclub.net

Monday, 20 April, 2100-2200. Manx Radio

Time for Brass. Frequencies 97.2, 89 and 103.7 FM and 1368 AM

and worldwide on www.manxradio.com

Click on Listen FM or Listen AM for the programme at the time of

broadcast or on Listen Again for a week following transmission.

Ian Cottier presents a programme of brass band music and comment.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKRICHARD ADAMS. Conductor, Adjudicator, Head of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, 151 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189656. Phone: +65 9451 8398. adamsrj@hotmail.com

DEREK ASHMORE. www.hallamshiremusic.co.uk Tel: 01507 358141 Fax: 01507 358034.

BRETT BAKER. BSc. ARCM. Soloist, Teacher, Conductor, Adjudicator. 35 Yewtree Drive, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire. CW8 4NH. Tel. (01606) 783869. (Mob.) 0777 320 1736. E-mail boneman@brettorsarahbaker.fsnet.co.uk

MAURICE BALE. BSc, Arranger, Godiva Music. 18 Raleigh Road, Coventry CV2 4AA. Tel. 024 76 459 409.

PETER BASSANO FRCM HonRCM North Lodge, Potter Row, near Gt. Missenden, Bucks HP16 9LT. Tel.01494 868240 mobile; 07985 101244. E-mail :pbassano@aol.com www.peterbassano.com

DUNCAN A. BECKLEY. BA. Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator. 26 Ruskin Avenue, Wrenthorpe, WakefieldWF1 2BD (MOB) 07973 389707 E-mail: duncanb76@btopenworld.com

JOHN BERRYMAN. ALCM, LTCL, Conductor, Adjudicator. 12 Beaufort Drive, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants. NN15 6SF Tel. (01536) 722991.

DEREK M. BROADBENT. Conductor and Adjudicator. 17 Corrance Road, Wyke, Nr. Bradford, BD12 9LH Yorks. Tel/Fax. (01274) 670459.

MALCOLM BROWNBILL. Band Tutor, Conductor, and Adjudicator. 49 Pike House Road, Eccleston, St. Helens, Merseyside. WA10 5JZ. Tel. (01744) 28642.

C. BRIAN BUCKLEY. C.Chem., FTCL, LTCL, ALCM, Conductor, Adjudicator, Band Teacher. ‘Egmont’, 81 Gabalfa Road, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA2 8ND. Tel. (01792) 205896.

BOB CHILDS. DMA, M.Mus(dist), ARCM(hons), FLCM, PGCE, Euphonium Soloist, Conductor, Teacher. 13 Parc Plas, Blackwood, Gwent NP12 1SJ. Tel 01495 226106 (home), 07966 263881 (mobile). Euph4Bob@aol.com http://www.bobchilds.co.uk/

ROY W. CURRAN. Conductor, Adjudicator. 6 Mary Street, Burnley, Lancs. BB10 4AJ. Home: 01282 426203;Mobile: 07973 788812.

DR. KENNETH DOWNIE. DMA. BA(Mus) Dunelm. Kantara, 8 Downs Road, South Wonston, Winchester, SO21 3EU. Tel: (01962) 883031 Internet: www.kantaramusik.com

JOHN DURRANT. MA. Soloist, Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator. 3 Todmorden Road, Lytham St. Annes, Lancs. FY8 2QL. Tel: 01253 721903. Or 07985 191623 (Mob).

J. STUART FAWCETT, OAM, LDBBA. Conductor, Adjudicator. 23A Mill Moor Road, Meltham, Holmfirth, HD9 5JT. Tel: 01484 309500.

ALAN FERNIE. DRSAM, Dip NCOS Craiglea, 48 Mill Street, Selkirk, TD7 5AD. Tel. 01750 725213. (Mob.) 0794 7254961. E-mail: alanfernie@btinternet.com

BRUCE FRASER. Adjudicator, Conductor, Composer. Lomond Music, 32 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Fife. KY15 7PY. Tel. (01337) 830974. E-mail: bruce.fraser@zetnet.co.uk

COLIN HARDY. Member NABBC, Adjudicator and Conductor, 25 Thirlmere Avenue, Wyke, Bradford, W. Yorks. BD12 9DS. Tel/Fax. (01274) 674174. E-mail: colinhardy1503@tiscali.co.uk

DAVID HIRST. Conductor and Adjudicator. The Cottage, Main Street, Milton, Newark, Nottinghamshire. Tel. 01777 872339 Fax 01777 872852 E-mail: david.hirst@btinternet.com

ALAN HOPE. Conductor, Teacher and adjudicator. 113A Fatfield

Park, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear. NE38 8BP. Tel/Fax 0191

4161008 Mob: 0776 5656729 E-mail: ahope.brass@tiscali.co.uk

DAVID W. HORSFIELD. Adjudicator and Music Publisher.

‘Ravenswood’ 50 Wyke Old Lane, Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse, West

Yorkshire. HD6 4EH. Tel (01484) 722855. Mobile: 07710 208340.

E-mail: sales@kirkleesmusic.co.uk

ALAN JENKIN. B.Sc., LTCL, BBCM, Cert. Educ., Conductor,

Adjudicator. 4 Beauchamp Close, Neath Hill, Milton Keynes,

Bucks MK14 6HZ. Tel/Fax. (01908) 604818 (Home), 224251

(Music Centre) 07901 552235 (Mobile),

E-mail ajbaton4@talktalk.net

TERRY JOHNS. A.R.A.M.

Composer/Conductor/Adjudicator

55/6 Waterfront Avenue Edinburgh EH5 1JD

E-mail: castledrac@btinternet.com Mobile: 07777603675

SIMON KERWIN. BA (Hons) 07740 583801

website: www.staveslimited.com

email: simonkerwin@talk21.com.

NORMAN C. LAW. Conductor, Adjudicator, Band Trainer,

Private Teacher. Lawholme, 4 Farfield Drive, Hepworth,

Huddersfield, W. Yorks HD7 1TU.

Tel. (01484) 685354.

ALAN R. LEWIS. B. PHIL. LTCL. Head of Brass, Sedbergh School,

Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG.

Tel. (015396) 22230 (w), (015396) 20001.

STAN LIPPEATT. B.A., L.R.S.M. Conductor, Adjudicator.

60, Sixth Avenue, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts. NG21 9PW.

Tel (01623) 822672 Mobile 07875 138776

JANE LLOYD. MA FVCM, LGSM, ALCM, PGCetEd, Dip Mus.

Conductor, Performer, Arranger, Teacher. Northampton & East

Midlands Area. Tel: 01604 675188

KEITH MacDONALD. N.A.B.B.C., A.L.C.M. Conductor, Band

Trainer, Adjudicator, Author (see website). 20 North Haven,

Seaham, Co. Durham SR7 0DS. Tel: 0191 581 4224 (home),

07949 947703 (mobile) Email: KeithAllegro@aol.com, info@

keithmacdonald.co.uk Website: www.keithmacdonald.co.uk

MAJOR IAN McELLIGOTT. Conductor, Adjudicator, Composer/

Arranger, Brass Teacher. 41 Weaver Moss, Sandhurst, Berks.

GU47 9BQ. Mobile: 07903 137659

JOHN MAINES. Conductor, Adjudicator. 46 Hill Crest Road,

Offerton, Stockport. SK2 5QL. Tel. 0161 292 9443.

(Mobile) 07901 528059. Website: www.johnmaines.co.uk

STEVEN MEAD. Euphonium Soloist, Conductor, Adjudicator.

10 Old Forge Road, Fenny Drayton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire

CV13 6BD. Tel/Fax: (01827) 711964, Mob. 07971 843668,

E-mail: Stevemead@compuserve.com.

ALAN MORRISON. FTCL, LRAM. Soloist, Conductor and

Adjudicator. 25 Acaster Drive, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2BH.

Tel. (0113) 286 3374, Fax. (0113) 287 3947, Mob. 0775 197

3176. E-mail: alan-morrison@lineone.net

website.lineone.net/~alan-morrison

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 14

BB 14-15.indd 14 14-04-2009 17:00:53

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 15

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A list of forthcoming events that have been advertised in British Bandsman.

APRIL

17 - Marsden. Mnozil Brass, 7.45pm, Marsden Mechanics.18 - Bournemouth. Portsmouth Citadel Band, 7.15pm, All-Saints Church, Southbourne BH6 5EQ.18 - Stroud. Flowers Band, Subscription Rooms.18 - Uppermill. Mnozil Brass, 7.30pm, Uppermill Civic Hall. SOLD OUT

24 - 26 - Norway. Grenland International Brass Festival, Skien.

MAY

2 - Slough. Recital No. 34 with Charley Brighton (euphonium) and Malcolm Stowell (piano), 12.00pm, St. Mary’s Church.3 - Buxton. Buxton Brass Band Festival, own-choice test-piece competition. See www.northwestbrassbandorg.uk for more details.9 - Blackpool. The Spring Brass Band Festival, Winter Gardens.16 - Stroud. Wingates Band, Subscription Rooms.17 - Weston-super-Mare. 41st Own-Choice Contest, for more details contact 01934 514960.24 - Cambridge. All-England Masters International Championship and Gala Concert (featuring Foden’s and NYBBGB), 10.00am and 7.45pm, The Corn Exchange.30 - Newport. Greater Gwent Solo and Quartet Contest, YMCA.

JUNE

9-10-11 - London. Royal Marines Beating Retreat, 6.15pm, Horse Guards Parade.14 - Leeds. NYBBGB auditions, University of Leeds.17 - Huddersfield. Open Day at University of Huddersfield Music Department, contact 01484 472003.20 - Cardiff. Cory Band, Wycliffe Gordon (trombone) and Morriston Orpheus Choir, 7.30pm, St. David’s Hall.20 - Milton Keynes. NABBC Young Conductors’ Competition, Chrysalis Theatre.21 - London. NYBBGB auditions, Royal Academy of Music.28 - Rhyl. Entertainment Contest, Championship/1st to 4th Section, email: sueb@humprhys.co.uk29 - 3 July - Holland. Allan Withington’s Conducting School, email: a.withing@c2i.net for more details.

JULY

26 - 1 August - Swansea. 19th International Brass Band Summer School, University of Wales.

AUGUST

9-15 - Bromsgrove. Brass Band Summer School, Bromsgrove School.22 - Huddersfield. Open Day at University of Huddersfield Music Department, contact 01484 472003.22 - Slough. Recital No. 35 with Charley Brighton (euphonium) and Malcolm Stowell (piano), 12.00pm, St. Mary’s Church.

SEPTEMBER

12 - Birmingham. The 157th British Open Brass Band Championship, Symphony Hall.20 - Cornwall. NYBBGB auditions, St. Dennis Bandroom.

OCTOBER

25 - Leicester. NYBBGB auditions, Ratby Bandroom.

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BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 15

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Cory Band in ConcertSaturday 16 May 2009, 7.30pm

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Tourist Information Office on 01793 530328, Dave Bird on 01793 822025 or www.greatwesternyouth.com

Euphonium Recital No.34Charley Brighton with

Malcolm Stowell, pianoSaturday 2 May

St. Mary’s, Slough at 12.00pm. Admission free.

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The Salvation Army presentsBLACK DYKE BAND

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Issue no. 5554 – 28 March 2009

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Bramwell Tovey and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain gathered for the band’s Easter Course at Harrogate Ladies College last week,

prior to performances in the Yorkshire town and in Manchester. BB was at the Manchester concert and the full story is on pages 12 and 13.

Continuing a trend established over the past three years at the Brass

in Concert Championship, the organisers of the world’s premier

entertainment-based brass band contest have released details of two top

overseas bands due to participate at this year’s event.

A spokesman for Brass in Concert told BB: “As part of an agreement

with the organisers of the US Open Brass Band Championship, the 2008

Champion, Fountain City Brass Band, from Kansas City, qualifi ed for an

invitation to attend the 2009 Brass in Concert Championship. So eager was

the band to accept, that it has extended its visit to the UK to two weeks,

returning home after also competing in the Scottish Open Championship

in Perth.”

Fountain City has been the pre-eminent contesting brass band in the

USA for the past few years, having been crowned North American Brass

Band Champion for three consecutive years (2007–2009) and US Open

Champion in 2007 and 2008. Conducted by the irrepressible Joe Parisi,

Fountain City is sure to build on the outstanding contribution made to the

Brass in Concert event by its US predecessor, Brass Band of Central Florida,

in 2006. Fountain City will feature in the World of Brass in Concert gala

opener on Saturday 14 November, then compete in the Championship the

following day.

Tour co-ordinator, Helen Tyler, who formerly played solo baritone with

Foden’s Band prior to moving to the USA, confi rms that the tour itinerary

for Fountain City, while not yet fully confi rmed, will include concerts on

a more-or-less nationwide basis, while also undertaking a World of Brass

backed recording project. “The band is thrilled at the prospect of the UK

tour and is, of course, delighted and privileged to be able to compete in

two such high-profi le contests during the trip,” she commented, adding,

“We hope our experience of both the set test-piece and entertainment

format contests in the USA will stand us in good stead.”

Also making the trip for this year’s Brass in Concert will be Manger

Musikklag, the 2008 Siddis Champion, which was led to victory in the

leading Norwegian entertainment contest last November by the English

trumpet virtuoso, Martin Winter, who also composed the band’s entire

programme, the four-movement Central Park Suite. Manger’s appearance

continues Brass in Concert’s long association with Norwegian banding,

most recently continued by visits from Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag in

2007 and Stavanger Brass Band, which achieved a highest ever placing

at the event for an overseas band when it fi nished second in 2008 under

Allan Withington.

Tickets for the World of Brass in Concert, which takes place on Saturday

14 November, together with the Brass

in Concert Championship on Sunday 15

November, are now on sale from the box

offi ce of The Sage Gateshead, which can be

contacted on 0191 443 4661 or

Overseas bands set to star at Brass in Concert

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