BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND The Official Journal of the North American Brass Band Association, Inc. March 2004 Issue 94 PRE-CONTEST ISSUE 2004 www.nabba.org Inside this issue . . . President's Podium NABBA 2004 Schedule Brass Band Programs RNCM Festival Brass Band News BrassBand Bridge
Transcript
BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BANDBRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASSBAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND BRIDGEBRASS BAND BRIDGE BRASS BAND
The
Official Journal of the North American Brass Band Association, Inc. March 2004 Issue 94
PRE-CONTEST ISSUE 2004www.nabba.org
Inside this issue . . .
President's PodiumNABBA 2004 ScheduleBrass Band ProgramsRNCM FestivalBrass Band News
BrassBand Bridge
2 The Brass Band Bridge March 2004
The 1The 1The 1The 1The 1ststststst International International International International InternationalEuphonium InstituteEuphonium InstituteEuphonium InstituteEuphonium InstituteEuphonium Institute
Sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation
May 31 – June 6, 2004
in Atlanta, GA at Emory University
The International Euphonium Institute (IEI)brings together a staff of internationallyrecognized performers and teachers to lead a 6-day intensive course focusing on theadvancement of the euphonium throughperformance, understanding, outreach, andknowledge. The IEI aims to encourageconceptual learning, practical studies,fundamentals, and exploring new ways topresent the euphonium in a relaxedenvironment.
High school, college, graduate, and amateur levelplayers are welcomed. Participants will beimmersed in recitals, chamber music, focus classes,and master classes. Participants will also haveprivate instruction during the week and choose toperform in master classes, as well as being offeredsolo and ensemble performance experiences at theInstitute and in outreach concerts in thecommunity. Participants can also recommendrepertoire to be performed by IEI staff during thecamp.
Nightly concerts will feature solo recitals involvingchamber music for the euphonium and the GalaConcert will feature the IEI Massed Ensemble andthe Georgia Brass Band.
ArtistsShoichiro Hokazono -- Soloist with the Japan Air Self-
Defense Band, Tokyo, JapanAdam Frey -- Interntaional Soloist and TeacherMarcus Dickman -- University of North FloridaGail Robertson -- University of Florida, ArrangerMike Moore -- Prinicpal Tuba, Atlanta Symphony
For applications and more information visit:http://www.euphonium.comE-mail: [email protected]
Focus Class TopicsArticulation - An Often Neglected Musical ToolPhrasing and Musicality - Class I & Class IIOvercoming Performance and Audition AnxietyBeginning and Advanced ImprovisationHow to Practice - A Public View of Private PracticeArranging and Scoring for the EuphoniumOrchestral Excerpts from the Symphony Tuba
March 2004 The Brass Band Bridge 3
Colin W. Holman, EditorThe Brass Band Bridge31 Joseph LaneGlendale Heights, IL 60139Telephone (630) 665-4213E-mail [email protected]
Robin WeatherallNABBA Web PageNABBA MembershipsRecordings Reviewer1326 Waldron AvenueSt Louis, MO 63130Telephone (314) 725-1274E-mail [email protected]
Ronald W. HolzBook ReviewerAsbury College Music DepartmentWilmore, KY 40390Telephone (859) 858-3511, Ext. 2246E-mail [email protected]
John W. de SalmeNABBA Contest ControllerNABBA Vice-President3718 Cottage Preserve Road NESolon, IA 52333-9225Telephone (319) 624-2845E-mail [email protected]
and scholarly articles on all aspects relating to, and for the benefit of brass bands in North America.Scholarly articles should include footnotes and bibliography where appropriate.
Electronic submission is preferred where possible. Materials may be edited for content.Publication and advertising deadlines are the 15th of January, April, July and October.
Printed by Joe Dymit, Parasol Printing, Lombard IL.
INDEX OF ARTICLES
International Euphonium Institute ............................................. 2NABBA XXII ........................................................................... 6Great American Brass Band Festival 2004 ............................... 12
Please mention this magazine when responding to advertisers
EDITORIAL STAFF
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
4 The Brass Band Bridge March 2004
Ashland Brass Band FestivalJune 26, 2004Ashland, KY
Ushers Ferry, Cedar Rapids, IAcontact David DeHoff for more details [email protected]
Monclair Brass Band Festival April 24, 2004
Rahway School, Montclair, NJcontact Mark Freeh for more details [email protected]
President's Podium
continued on page 5
Greetings to all NABBA members,
It seems that it was just yesterday whenwe were all gathering in Little Rock forour 2003 competition. Now, we areworking towards and looking forward toonce again meeting, but this time, inCharleston, West Virginia. John deSalme and I will be there at the end ofFebruary, finalizing the details with ourhosts, Brass Band of the Tri State andMountain State Brass Band. Thiscompetition will see an unprecedentednumber of bands, soloists, andensembles; and some first timerscompeting! John de Salme works hardto present an excellent competition andwe are grateful to him.
We will soon have a hosting manualavailable to us, thanks to Louis Bourgois,Chairperson, and the hosts committee.This will be a valuable tool to anyonehosting a competition or festival weekend. A lot of work and thought has goneinto this manual, which was developedfrom materials compiled by past hostingbands.
You need to know about an event that wehave been invited to—the World BrassBand Contest held in Kerkrade. Soonthe NABBA web site on the President’smessage board will have more detailsabout this.
I’d like to recognize additional Boardmembers, who have been continuallyworking for you.
Robin Weatherall has been completingand updating memberships quickly andefficiently. I’m sure that you haveappreciated receiving the follow upsand confirmations from him. Robin hasalso been maintaining the web site, anddoing a great job.
Diana Herak transported all the NABBAfiles and music from North Carolina toColumbus. She is categorizing music
and scores, thus, making these availableto members in the future. She is alsomaking lists of past Bridge copies andorganizing legal and business papers.Thanks to Eric Aho for the storage ofthese files.
Ralph Hotz continues to do much work“behind the scenes”, serving on theexecutive committee, as does SaraNorth, treasurer, keeping a watchful eyeover the finances.
The monumental project every quarter isassembling materials, editing,production, and mailing of The Bridge.
Colin Holman has been outstanding asour editor and works tirelessly on thispublication. Thanks, Colin.
I look forward to seeing and hearing youin Charleston. For those of you unableto attend the competition—thanks forbeing a NABBA member, for I know thatyou do your part in promoting brassbanding throughout the year in yourcorner of the world.
Sincerely,
Anita Cocker Hunt
March 2004 The Brass Band Bridge 5
Brass Band Programs
Commonwealth Brass Band (JeromeAmend; Pam Fleitz, associateconductor). Nov. 23, 2003; IndianaUniversity Southeast, New Albany.Music From the Elizabethan Court, 1stmovement (Byrd/Howarth); Puttin’ onthe Ritz (Berlin/Richards); HornConcerto No. 4, Rondo (Mozart/Jordan),Susan Reigler, tenor horn soloist;Bugler’s Holiday (Anderson/Barsotti),Shawn Roark, Bob Webb, CarlRecklehoff, Jason Hougland, cornetsoloists; Tintagel (Wright); Fanfare andFlying Theme from E.T. (Williams/Sykes); Sweet Georgia Brown(Richards); Over the Rainbow (Arlen/Richards), Steven Craig, tenor hornsoloist; Braveheart Suite (Horner/Duncan), Steven Craig, guest conductor;Aspects of Praise (Himes); Sing, Sing,Sing (Prima/Freeh), featuring RobEdwards on drums, Shawn Roark oncornet, Jackie Amend on soprano cornet.
Dec. 7, 2003, Edwardsville (IN) UnitedMethodist Church. Christmas Triptych(Curnow); Bugler’s Holiday (Anderson/Barsotti), Shawn Roark, Bob Webb,Carl Reckelhoff, Jason Hougland, cornetsoloists; Aspects of Praise (Himes);Adeste Fidelis (Wade), with audience;Child of Bethlehem (Watson/Horton),with Festival Choir; O Tiny Babe(Althouse/Horton), with Festival Choir;Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah(Handel/Marlatt), with Festival Choir;Silent Night, Holy Night (Gruber), withaudience.
Feb. 22, 2004; Indiana UniversitySoutheast, New Albany. New EraFanfare (Milner); In Memoriam R.K.(Howarth); Jubiliance (Himes), ShawnRoark, cornet soloist; Nessun Dorma(Puccini/Parkes), Shawn Roark, cornetsoloist; Birdland (Zawinul/Smith); The
B.B.& C.F. March (Hume); AmericanPatrol, from A Glenn Miller Suite (arr.Freeh); Crazy (Nelson/Morrison), PaulJackson, flugelhorn soloitst; NorthernLandscapes (Graham); In the Mood,from a Glenn Miller Suite (arr. Freeh).
Chicago Brass Band (Colin Holman).December 15, 2003; Moraine ValleyCommunity College, Palos Heights, IL.Fanfare (Richards); Seasons Greet-ings (Anderson); Gaudete (Norbury);Santa-Claustrophobia (arr. Smith); Nut-cracker Suite (Tchaikovsky/Sparke);Three Kings Swing (arr. Himes); Nativ-ity Brass (Barry); Stille, Stille, Stille(Curnow); Troika (Prokofiev/Farr); Inthe Bleak Midwinter (Holst/Broadbent);Russian Christmas Music (Reed/deSalme).February 14, 2004; Chicago State Uni-versity, Chicago, IL, and February 15,2004; Gary United Memorial MethodistChurch, Wheaton, IL. Fanfare andFlourishes (Curnow); Brass Metamor-phosis (Curnow); Concertpiece forCornet (Curnow), Amy Nelson, cornetsoloist; Legend in Brass (Curnow); Pre-lude for an Occasion (Gregson); ThePlantagenets (Gregson); Tuba Con-certo (Gregson), Clint McCanless, tubasoloist; Voices of Youth (Gregson);Penny Lane (arr. Barry).
Imperial Brass, with the *Rahway HighSchool Band and Choir. Feburary 4,2004; Rahway High School. Rahway,NJ. Blenheim Flourishes (Curnow);Tonight (Bernstein/Freeh); AppalachianFolk Song Suite (Curnow); Arabesque(Turrin), Jason Ham and Jerry Wells,euphonium soloists; Serenata(Anderson/Freeh); A Touch of Mancini(arr. Freeh); Robert Van Wyk, trumpetsoloist; *My Country ’Tis of Thee
(arr.Broughton); America The Beautiful(Dragon/Freeh).
Spokane British Brass Band (MarkWilliams). December 9, 2003; SFCCAuditorium, Spokane, WA. Signature(Van der Roost); None But The LonelyHeart (Tchaikovsky/Langford), MattParker, flugelhorn soloist; Cousins(Clarke/Freeh), Jim Phillips, cornet so-loist and Kit Cutler, euphonium soloist;Anitra's Dance (Grieg/Drover); A Night-ingale Sang in Berkeley Square(Sherwin/Snell), Tom Molter, trombonesoloist; Sullivan Fantasy (arr. Langford);Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach/Sparke); Northern Landscapes (Gra-ham); Once in Royal David's City (arr.Preuninger); The Holly and the Ivy (arr.Court); A Little Prayer (Glennie/Childs);A Christmas Overture (Golland); Marchof the Toys (Herbert/Hanmer); Frostythe Snowman (arr. Smith), Larry Pittman,trombone soloist.
St Louis Brass Band (Colin Holman).February 8, 2004; Christ Church Ca-thedral, St Louis, MO. Goldcrest (Ander-son); Jubilee Overture (Sparke); Swed-ish Folk Song (Graham); Three Songs(Ives/Holman), Sarah Holman, mezzosoprano soloist; Variations on LaudateDominum (Gregson); Introduction toAct III Lohengrin (Wagner); JerichoRevisited (Himes), Pat Patridge, narra-tor; Cornet Carillon (Binge), John Korak,Gary Beamon, Kevin Smith and KeithJean, soloist; Blue Rondo a la Turk(Brubeck); Finale from Pines of Rome(Respighi/Snell), Pat Patridge, organ.
Thursday – April 15thAdjudicator’s Meeting(Closed Session) 7:30 PM Marriott Town Center (Allegheny Room)
Friday – April 16thRegistration Opens 9:00 AM Marriott Town Center (Main Lobby&Pavilion)NABBA Board Meeting 9:00 AM Marriott Town Center (Allegheny Room)Solo & EnsembleCompetition 1:00 PM Baptist Temple &Christ ChurchUnited MethodistBand PracticeSessions TBAVendor Area Opens 6:00 PM Marriott Town Center (Pavilion)Reading Band 7:00 PM The Clay CenterReception TBA Marriott Town Center (Main Ball Room)
Saturday – April 17thRegistration Opens 7:30 AM Marriott Town Center (Pavilion)Vendor Area Opens 8:00 AM Marriott Town Center (Pavilion)Band Competitions 8:00 AM Civic Center Little Theater&The Clay Center Maier HallGala Concert 7:30 PM The Clay CenterReceptions 10:00 PM Marriott Town Center (Grand Ballroom & Pavilion)
Sunday – April 18thSalvation Army 10:00 AM Marriott Town Center (Allegheny Room)
Full reviews and results in the June 2004 issue of the Brass Band Bridge
March 2004 The Brass Band Bridge 7
Brass Band News
continued from page 6
The Atlantic Brass Band recentlyhosted the Black Dyke Band (NicholasChilds) for a weekend of concerts andmasterclasses given by Roger Webster(cornet), Brett Baker (trombone), DavidThornton (euphonium), and JosephCook (tuba). Phil Smith was also a guestsoloist. Atlantic Brass Band openedboth concerts with music including TallisVariations (Sparke), and the Black Dykeperformances included The Marriage ofFigaro (Mozart/Hazelgrove), ConcertoFor Cornet and Brass Band (Howarth)with soloist Roger Webster, Air fromSuite No 3 (Bach), SymphonicRhapsody (Gregson) with soloist DavidThornton, Jazz - Symphonic Dances(Wilby), Summon the Dragon (PeterGraham), Polka Dots and Moonbeams(arr. Dorsey) with soloist Brett Baker,Children of Sanchez (arr. Reid Gilje)with soloist John Doyle, CarnivalCocktail (arr.Sykes) with soloist JosephCook, Andante & Finale from 4thSymphony (Tchaikovsky), La Corsair(Berlioz/Brand), Rhapsody fortrombone (Langford) with soloist BrettBaker, Call of the Cossacks (Graham),Fest Music der Stadt Wien (Graham),Jubilance (Himes) with soloist PhilipSmith, Main theme from MissionImpossible (Schifrin), I Will Follow Himfrom Sister Act (Stole/Roma/Planta),Variations on a Theme (Rossini) withsoloist David Thornton, 1812 Overture(Tchaikovsky).
As a veteran professional musician,Jerome Amend knows a happy musicalconvergence when one comes along.For some time the Music Director of theCommonwealth Brass Band hadwanted the group to perform theBraveheart Suite (Horner), taken fromthe stirring soundtrack of Mel Gibson’sAcademy Award winning 1995 film. Themovie is based on the life of the legendary
Scottish hero, William Wallace, who leda rag-tag rebel army that defeatedEnglish troops. So when Steven Craig,a solo tenor horn player with KingdomBrass, a Fife, Scotland, based brassband joined Commonwealth last summer,a program work was assured. Craig is aLexmark engineer, who has beenassigned to work at the Lexington, KY,facility of the firm for a year. Heconducted a CBB rendition of theBraveheart Suite on Nov. 23, 2003, atIndiana University Southeast in NewAlbany. He also was tenor horn soloiston Over the Rainbow (Arlen/Richards).In fact, tenor horns were featured thatday, with Susan Reigler performing theRondo from Mozart’s Horn ConcertoNo. 4 (arr. Jordan).
The Brass Band of Central Florida(Michael J. Garasi) will host internationaleuphonium soloist David Childs andResident Conductor of Buy as You ViewCory Band Robert Childs for their March20, 2004 concert at the Sun TrustAuditorium, Orlando Museum of Art inOrlando. David Childs will be performingJohn Golland’s Concerto No 1 as part ofthe concert. This piece was originallywritten for Robert Childs and was debutedby Robert & the Grimethorpe CollieryBand in 1981 at the Sydney OperaHouse, Australia. Robert Childs willconduct the band on this piece.
Imperial Brass are undergoing a searchfor a new Music Director. Applicationdetails can be found via their websitewww.imperialbrass.org. In Februarythe band combined with the RahwayHigh School Band & Chorus, and featureitems included Arabesque (Turrin) withsoloists Jason D. Ham and Jerry Wells,A Touch of Mancini with trumpet soloistRobert Van Wyk, and a massed bandselection of America The Beautiful.Imperial also played works by JamesCurnow, Bruce Broughton, and Mark
Freeh.
The International Music Camp will hostthe NABBA Summer Brass BandCamp for 2004. The camp is during theIMC’s summer adult camp (July 31-August 3, 2004), which also featuresconcert bands, jazz band, chorus,women’s barbershop, and orchestraand is held tt the International PeaceGarden on the North Dakota / ManitobaBorder. Registration is available atwww.internationalmusiccamp.com andthe brass band camp is led by Dr. PaulDroste.
Motor City Brass Band (Craig Strain)finished 2004 with a performance of it’sannual “Sounds of the Season” programat the Ford Performing Arts Center inDearborn. MCBB’s guest for thisperformance was the 80-voice Measurefor Measure Men’s Choral Society. Theprogram also included several Christmasselections by MCBB euphoniums andtubas. This was the band’s 26th
performance of the year which included4 concerts over the 4th of July weekendat Greenfield Village as the guest of theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. MCBBhas been invited back for 2004! MCBBalso hosted trombone virtuoso BrettBaker who presented master classes atEastern Michigan University and severalhigh schools. Brett’s visit concluded ina performance with the band at EMUPease Auditorium. MCBB has a newrehearsal site - the Southfield CivicCenter, and a new and improved websitewww.mcbb.org. On March 14, 2004they will perform a concert titled MarchMadness with Capitol City Brass Bandand Northern Michigan Brass Band,and on April 4 at the Southfield CivicCenter their concert is titled The Road toCharleston in preparation for the NABBA2004 performance, and with guestclinician Bram Gregson.
Please make check payable to the North American Brass Band Association.(reproduce form as necessary)
*Regular membership includes the Brass Band Bridge mailed to your addressOnline membership includes access to an electronic copy of the Brass Band Bridge
March 2004 The Brass Band Bridge 9
Preparing
RNCM Festival of Brass
continued on page 10
After attending this year’s Royal NorthernCollege of Music (RNCM) Festival ofBrass, I would like to familiarize allNABBA members with this fantasticcelebration of brass bands! The eventtook place this past January 16-18, andwas definitely worth the trip toManchester, England!
The weekend included performancesby the Grimethorpe Colliery Band(conducted by Elgar Howarth), theRNCM ‘All Stars’ Brass Ensemble(Howard Snell), the Fairey FP (Music)Band (Howard Snell), the FodensRichardson Band and RNCM Chorus(Bramwell Tovey), the RNCM Brass Band(Howard Snell), the Buy As You ViewCory Band (Robert Childs), and theBlack Dyke Band (Nicholas Childs).
The Festival’s Artistic Director for 2004was Edward Gregson. According toGregson, “The two important strandsconnecting all the concerts are thecelebration of Berlioz’s bicentenary andthe centenary of Eric Ball.”
Although work commitments did not allowme to attend Grimethorpe’s concert onFriday evening, I did arrive in time tohear the Royal Northern College of Music‘All Stars’ on Saturday. This group iscomprised of the brass department staffof the RNCM, as well as advancedstudents and alumni. Even though theensemble included french horns andtrumpets, it was a very fine performanceindeed (with James Gourlay on tuba!).The highlight of the program was hearing“Pictures at an Exhibition,” conductedby the arranger, Elgar Howarth.
A few hours later brought a concert bythe Fairey FP (Music) Band. The winnerof the 2003 National Brass BandChampionships, the band was in greatform, as could be expected! Highlightsincluded Festival Music (Eric Ball), andthe UK Premiere of Wilfred Heaton’sVariations.
The Saturday evening concert waspresented by the Fodens RichardsonBand, along with the RNCM Chorus.The program started out with a wonderfuloverture- Le Corsaire (Berlioz/Brand).A lovely rendition of the Canadian Folk-Song Suite (Morley Calvert) was alsooffered, as well as two pieces written byBramwell Tovey (the conductor). TheU.K. premiere of Requiem for a CharredSkull, by Tovey, was a very movingpiece, complete with chorus and 3 vocalsoloists. It was a fitting end to a full dayof inspiring brass performances!
Due to jet lag on Sunday morning, weunfortunately missed the Royal NorthernCollege of Music Brass Band, under theleadership of its founding conductor,Howard Snell. However, the next concertwas the Buy As You View Cory Band,featuring euphonium soloist David Childs(son of the band’s conductor, RobertChilds). David performed the Englishpremiere of Michael Ball’s EuphoniumConcerto, and the composer was inattendance! In addition, the band playeda wonderful and interesting piece byJohn Pickard called Aurora, and thefirst concert performance of The King ofElfland’s Daughter by Rodney Newton.Both composers were also in theaudience, and were able to introducetheir respective pieces. I have not beento many brass band concerts where thecomposers are in attendance (let aloneliving composers!), so this was an addedbonus!
10 The Brass Band Bridge March 2004
continued from page 11
RNCM Festival of Brass
continued on page 11
The final performance of the festival(and the most well-attended) was theBlack Dyke Band’s concert. The bandopened with March to the Scaffold byBerlioz, arranged by Robert Childs (theconductor’s brother, also in attendance).Next was a brilliant cornet solo by thefamous Roger Webster- CornetConcerto by Elgar Howarth (also in theaudience). Following the concerto, wasa first for me- a piece called The Legendof Sangeet by Philip Harper for Sitar andBrass Band! Although the band later toldus that they had performed the piecebefore, using Roger Webster playingthe “sitar” part on his cornet, this piecereally worked! The sitar was amplified,and was performed by Dharambir Singh.The second half opened with Festmusikder Stadt Wien (Strauss), and then theband played Variations on an Original
cons of contesting), about various brandsof horns and mouthpieces, new solosand full band repertoire, rehearsalpolicies, band contracts, auditionprocedures, etc.! In addition, therewere many trade stands in the hallways,where one could try out the newinstruments, mouthpieces, etc. All in all,a fantastic festival!
While in the middle of brass bandcountry, my friends and I were alsofortunate enough to find the NavigationInn (the inspiration for Philip Sparke’scomposition of the same name), and tobe invited to attend a rehearsal of theBlack Dyke Band. This turned out to beanother unforgettable experience!
We arrived in Queensbury (abouthalfway between Manchester and Leeds)on a cold and rainy Monday evening.The bandroom is actually located rightnext to the Black Dyke Mill. From whatI understand, this is the original rehearsalsite for the band, and it is well over 100years old. The building is a split- level.On the bottom is a small storage facility.Up a few steps is the band director/administrator’s office, and on the 3rd
level is the actual practice facility. Up afew more steps is the band library.
The rehearsal room is quite small, whichwas a bit of a surprise! Guests aresituated in the doorway (for lack ofspace), directly behind the basstrombone player and somewhat in themiddle of the percussion section. Thereare championship banners hanging fromthe ceiling, trophies, medals (from theBelle Vue Championships), awards,plaques on the wall, pictures (such aswhen the band played with the Beatles!),
Theme (Enigma) Op. 36 (Elgar/Ball).Several variations were used as thisyear’s test piece for the National BrassBand Championships of Great Britain.
As wonderful as all the festival concertswere, one cannot imagine the immediateaccess my friends and I had to all theabove participants!!! We were able tomeet and talk to Elgar Howarth, EdwardGregson, Bob and Nick Childs, BramwellTovey, Howard Snell, and actual bandmembers, too many to mention! Whatwas very convenient for us (and theband members) is that the RoyalNorthern College of Music happens tohave a bar right in their music hall. Onecould approach about everyone andanyone enjoying a pint, whether duringintermission, or following the concerts!We learned so much about differentbrass banding philosophies (pros and
continued from page 9
March 2004 The Brass Band Bridge 11
RNCM Festival of Brass
continued from page 10scores if needed! It was great to sit nextto him, even in the crowded conditions!
The band played through Roy’sarrangements of Gaudete, Pachelbel’sCanon, and then a cornet solo from TheBarber of Seville. What a treat to seeRoger Webster at work! Nick Childsoffered him some stylistic ideas, whichthe band immediately incorporated, too.We also got a “sneak peak” of the tubaquartet rehearsing The Stars andStripes Forever in preparation for theirtrip to America the following week!
Another amazing thing to see was theincredible percussion section. Howthey could reach each instrument intime, in the little space that they had(especially with all the “guests” thatevening) was remarkable! I believethere are plans to enlarge the bandroomin the near future, so that will help them
and many historical artifacts throughoutthe building. An interesting find was thatsome of the old wooden music standscontain carvings of the names of BlackDyke band members that had sat therethroughout the years! Very interesting(and informative)!
The actual rehearsal started right ontime (at 7:30 p.m.) with a fewannouncements. The director (NickChilds) congratulated the band on itsperformance the previous day at theRNCM Festival. There was no official fullband warm-up, the band just went rightinto rehearsing. On this evening theBlack Dyke Band was preparing for arecording session to take place threedays later. They were making a CD ofsome arrangements by Roy Newsome,and he happened to be there at therehearsal, making corrections to his
with all the increasing demands thatcomposers put upon this section!
What always impresses me about Britishbrass bands are their capabilities to playat such loud (and soft) but controlledvolumes. This was amplified in the smallrehearsal space. In addition, Americanbrass bands don’t seem to use nearly asmuch vibrato as our British counterparts.Nick often urged his band to “warm-up”the sound: translation- use more vibrato!
All in all, my friends and I had a wonderfulweekend of top quality music making,right in the heartland of brass bandcountry! As far as the RNCM Festival ofBrass goes, where else can you seeseveral of the world’s top brass bandsperform full concert programs in thespace of three days? And if you’re luckyenough, maybe you can even take in arehearsal of one of these bands forsome behind the scenes action!Everyone in Manchester was veryfriendly and ready to share their insightswith their newly made friends from acrossthe pond. I highly recommend attendingnext year’s Festival, which I believe willtake place on January 21-23, 2005.Hope to see you there!!!
Diana Herak is a euphonium/baritoneplayer with the Brass Band of Columbus,and the Athena Brass Band. Hertraveling companions to Manchesterincluded her husband Pat Herak (BBC,baritone), and friends Laura Wright(Central Ohio Brass Band, baritone),and Michelle Lowry (Atlantic BrassBand, cornet).
12 The Brass Band Bridge March 2004
The Brass Band BridgeColin W. Holman, Editor31 Joseph LaneGlendale Heights, IL 60139U.S.A
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