BRITISH Issue Bandsno. 5514 – 21 June 2008 the leading internationalman brass magazine

Benny Wiame conducts Brass Band Limburg to an impressive victory at last weekend’s Euro Brass Contest in Drachten, the Netherlands, for which the band received a coveted invitation to next year’s Brass in Concert Championship at The Sage Gateshead. Euro Brass has grown in recent years to become recognised as one of the leading brass band entertainment contests on the continent and, this year, attracted a total of 21 competitors from Holland and Belgium. Turn to page 3 for the full results. EBBA loses out on EU funding

The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) has failed in its two major team, which has worked very hard to put the applications together and a applications to secure substantial European Union (EU) funding. The EBBA special ‘thank you’ to project leader, Oene Krist.” had submitted applications for co-fi nancing of cultural organisations and So, with two major applications rejected, where does this leave EBBA networks, and for money to fund multi-annual co-operation projects. and the fi nancial stability of future European Brass Band Championships The latter application involved the EBBA, plus brass band organisations in (EBBC)? England, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Austria, all of which Revealing the current situation, Ulf Rosenberg said: “Financially it leaves had joined forces to attempt to strengthen the brass band community. EBBA where it is at the moment; the organisation will maintain its Commenting to BB, EBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg, said: “Both applications dependency on the existing fi nancial resources it has, which are obtained have been rejected. With regard to the network application, the EU wants from three categories: Membership money and entry fees from the bands, more countries to be members of the organisation and activities to take fees from EBBC and the hosting organisations, and sponsorship money and place in additional countries. Regarding the project application, we do not audio/video-rights.” yet know why it was not accepted.” Concluding, Ulf Rosenberg commented on the next step for EBBA in its In rejecting the project application, the letter from the EU states: ‘You will bid to secure further funding: “At the next Executive Committee meeting be informed in detail about the fi nal score of your proposal, as well as of in September, we need to discuss the way forward. There are many good the reasons for which it has not been selected, at the end of the selection ideas in the big project application, which may develop and deserve to procedure. Until then, our services will not be in a position to reply to come to reality on a bilateral or multilateral basis between the countries. Price £1.25 any queries or requests of information about the evaluation outcome for We also need to discuss how EBBA can become a stronger locomotive specifi c projects.’ in the development of the European brass band movement without Ulf Rosenberg further commented: “I really would like to thank the project substantial fi nancial support from the EU.”

BB 1.indd 1 17/6/08 17:50:23 MAILBOX HAVE YOUR SAY WRITE TO THE EDITOR WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW ON ANY BAND SUBJECT

that he realises the negative effect (losing quality of tone) of turning bells out to the audience Cause for concern - surprising as his band has employed it on many occasions. Regarding his word of caution for Over recent weeks, a couple of your pages have caused me concern. the inexperienced judges about pedalling, again I have heard Cory putting in plenty when they The first of the two incidents I refer to is the piece on Brass Band Oberösterreich and its ‘toys out of are not in the score I am following, including at the Welsh ‘Area’. However, his point is obviously the pram’ attitude to the European Championships. The band’s communique shows a complete lack with merit, so I hope that inexperienced judges take note, but sometimes you have to be careful of respect for all other competitors, including the well-deserved victor, Cory Band, the organisation what you wish for. (both local and European-wide), but worst of all itself. Hubris has always been very evident in the N. Clark, Address supplied. banding world in this country, from the valleys of Wales right through West Yorkshire and into Scotland, but I had always hoped that this would be one aspect of banding that wouldn’t filter into the music making of our European cousins. Up until now, it seemed as though that was the case, but the Austrians seem to have been found guilty of believing in their own press here. Anybody lost a strap? Perhaps you may find a small space in the magazine to help me find the owner of a side-drum I appreciate that it is not a traditional-sounding British brass band, and there is nothing wrong strap, which was found at Stalybridge Celtic Football Club following the Whit Friday contest. I with that (I find variation in style and sound to make a contest, and concert, more interesting), but can be contacted (8am - 6pm) on 0161 301 5000. As a band chairman I appreciate the cost of it has missed the point: It is a good band - not bad, but not amazing either. Anyone who had the replacing such items. chance to hear the Austrians’ flawed performance at last year’s Brass in Concert Championship will P. Greenwood, know what I am talking about. Address supplied. If that wasn’t a good enough reason not to win a contest in itself, the band simply embarrassed itself in complaining about the music. The best composers for brass band, in general, are British. It is difficult to argue against this, just as it is difficult to argue that most of the classical period’s greatest composers were Austrian! The pieces mentioned in the letter are not great pieces. They Fucik score wanted are long slogs of egocentric, over-indulgent writing, which are difficult to listen to due to their We need a conductor’s score for a concert waltz from 1900 by the Czech composer, Julius Fucik. lack of imagination. Come on guys - show some grace and class, and stop trying to win the The waltz is called Traumideale. So far all our enquiries have drawn a blank. However, I am European by holding the organisers to ransom. confident that a brass band somewhere will have it in its archives. We are a newly-formed The second article I take issue with is the recent contribution by Dr. Robert Childs, Don’t go woodwind group in Great Dunmow, Essex with 12 members. Any advice or help would be over the score. On most of his points I bow to his obviously vast experience. However, it does appreciated. seem as though maybe he’s trying to make a more personal point here. It is surprising to me F. Payne, Address supplied.

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BB 2-3.indd 2 17/6/08 17:48:47 FEATURENEWS NEWS James Gourlay resigns from RSAMD Following the news of sweeping changes at the Royal of Principal and will be taken on by the Principal. It will be On a more positive note, Head of Brass, Bryan Allen, has Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) as it titled Principal and Director of Music. We would like to thank revealed that his job now appears to be secure, despite struggles to pull back £600,000 from its 2008/2009 budget James for his time at the RSAMD and wish him well for the uncertainty over the future of his position. Commenting in order to stabilise its future, the RSAMD has announced future.” to BB, he said: “The woodwind and brass full time jobs the shock resignation of international tuba soloist, James In the immediate future, John Wallace will take over James are now secured and that the proposed merger of the two Gourlay, from his position as Deputy Principal. Gourlay’s role, despite already having a hugely demanding departments is now under review.” In a press statement released to BB, the RSAMD states: “The job himself. However, the departure is a shock as this was Further developments at the RSAMD seem to be continuing, present Deputy Principal (Music), Mr. James Gourlay, is not initially intended as one of the roles to be affected. though the college maintains these will not have any effect leaving the RSAMD. This role is to be merged with the role When contacted by BB, James Gourlay declined to comment. on the education of the students.

Sensational win for Limburg at Euro Brass Brass Band Limburg gave a sensational performance to win the increasingly popular Euro Brass Contest, which took place last Saturday (14th) in De Lawei Concert Hall, Drachten, Holland. From a field of seven of the leading bands from Belgium and the Netherlands, Limburg’s performance included Wilfred Heaton’s Contest Music, clinching the top spot. In total, 21 bands competed in the contest.

Full results: ‘A’ Section 1. Brass Band Limburg (B. Wiame) 194; 2. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (S. Hamersma) 192; 3. Festival Brass Band (M. Mellaerts) 188; 4. Metropole Brass Band (G. Audenaert) 184; 5. De Bazuin Oenkerk (K. van der Woude) 182; 6. Brass Band Schoonhoven (E. Janssen) 180. Best Soloist: Renato Meli (euphonium, Brass Band Limburg) Entertainment prize: Soli Brass Most impressive soprano cornet: Provinciale Brassband Groningen ‘B’ Section 1. Excelsior Zalk (R. van der Velde) 196; 2. Heman (Zuidwolde) (S. Hamersma) 194; 3. Brassband Breukelen (E. Janssen) 192; 4. Pro Rege (Heerenveen) (S. Hoekstra) 190; 5. Brass Band Provende The Chairman of Brass Band Limburg receives an official invitation to Brass In Concert from de Liege (B. Wiame) 186; 6. Excelsior Veenwoudsterwal (P. van der Heide) 180. Jappie Dijkstra, along with a donation from the Euro Brass Foundation of 1,000 Euros to cover Best Soloist: Dirk van Mourik (cornet, Brassband Breukelen) initial costs. Entertainment prize: De Bazuin B (Oenkerk) Most impressive soprano cornet: Heman Zuidwolde Besson support for ENBBC ‘C’ Section The British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) has confirmed that it has secured sponsorship from 1. Looft den Heer (Beetgumermolen) (P. de Jong) 190; 2. Gloria Dei (Gerkesklooster-Stroobos) Besson for its flagship event, the English National Brass Band Championships (ENBBC), which (M. Middelberg) 180; 3. Constantijn Huijgens (Appingedam) (R. Visser) 178; 4. De Nije Bazun will take place next Saturday (28th). Commenting on the support, Antoine Beaussant, President (Britsum) (T. Zigterman) 176; 5. Immanuel (Eemsmond) (S. Hamersma) 172; 6. Juliana of the Buffet Crampon Group, which incorporates Besson, said: “Besson is delighted to sponsor (Kollumerzwaag) (H. van der Veen) 170. the ENBBC again this year. The finest English bands will battle to win the chance to represent Best Soloist: Oedo Kuipers (euphonium, Gloria Dei) their country in the 2009 European Brass Band Championships and we are proud to take part in Entertainment prize: Juliana (Kollumerzwaag) this competition.” Most impressive soprano cornet: Looft den Heer (Beetgumermolen) Adjudicators: Tom Brevik, Rob Goorhuis and Professor David King. Birthday honours for Bandsmen Three bandsmen from across the UK have been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Ray Sykes, a stalwart of Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band has been awarded the prestigious honour, following in his father Bill’s footsteps as he was awarded the MBE in 1975. Desford registration doubts quashed As the band’s current Chairman, Ray has been through thick and thin at Frickley and has guided Following Desford Colliery Band’s recent win at the All-England Masters International in the band through some of its more troubled times to its current position as one of the leading Cambridge, rumours of registration irregularities surrounding a member of the band have been bands in Yorkshire once again. A delighted Ray is now obviously on cloud nine with his award, quashed on the expiration of a 14-day standard investigation period after the contest. but with the band preparing for the British Open and National Final, is hoping his date with The Concerns had been raised that the band’s principal cornet player, Paula Russell, was Queen does not clash! Also awarded an MBE for Services to Brass Bands was Bill Baillie. Now simultaneously registered with BTM Band through the Welsh Registry, but Colin Johnson of with St. Ronan’s Silver Band, Bill spent 57 years with Dalkeith and Monktonhall Colliery Band, the British Brass Band Registry (BBBR) has revealed to BB that there is no case to answer, playing principal euphonium with some distinction for many years. Finally, the former MD of commenting: “I have now looked at the details and have determined that there is no issue, in Southampton Youth Brass Band, Gordon Smith, has been awarded an MBE for Services to Young line with BBBR Rules 12c and 17a respectively.” People following many years as an inspirational teacher in the area. Rule 12c reads: ‘Providing there is no objection by the Registry to the application, the Registry Congratulations to all three from everyone at BB. will issue a registration card, which must be signed in ink by the player. A card issued by the Registry replaces any previous issue. Rule 17a reads: ‘If a player leaves a band for any reason other than by transfer, the band secretary should return the player’s card to the Registry where For latest news visit: his registration with that band will be cancelled. The cancelled card will be returned to the band secretary.’ www.britishbandsman.com

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 3

BB 2-3.indd 3 17/6/08 17:48:55 Philip Biggs Brass Festivals presents The Great Northern SUPER SUMMER DEALS ON BAKER’S DOZEN, Brass Arts Festival A good, mixed selection of quality brass instruments. The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Saturday 6th September 2008 Yamaha YCR-8620 Xeno soprano cornet, BSP £1259.00 sponsored by S/H Besson Sovereign Bb cornet, large bore, lacquer £495.00 Besson Musical Instruments, Buffet Crampon, Yamaha Kemble Music (UK) New model Elkhart Bb cornet, lacquer £119.95 S/H Besson Sovereign flugel horn with trigger, BSP £595.00 Vincent Bach Strad. flugel horn, lacquer £1595.00 7.15pm Black Dyke Band New model Elkhart tenor horn, lacquer £149.95 Fodens Richardson Band Just arrived: Besson Prestige tenor horn with trigger, BSP £2295.00 Besson Sovereign tenor horn, lacquer £1695.00 Brighouse & Rastrick Band New model Elkhart baritone, lacquer £195.95 Tickets: £12 – £24 S/H Besson Prestige 4-valve euphonium, BSP, very good condition £2195.00 12.00 noon - Wingates Band – £9.50 Besson Sovereign 967 4-valve euphonium, BSP £3315.00 S/H Besson Sovereign 982 4-valve EEb bass, BSP, very good condition £1595.00 2.15pm - National Childrens Brass Band of Great Britain – £10.50 The above is a saving of £2750 from discounted price Wardle Junior Band, Healey, Smithy Bridge and St. James Primary School Bands S/H Besson Sovereign 994 4-valve BBb bass, BSP, very good condition £3495.00

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BB 4-5.indd 4 17/6/08 17:56:54 BFBB ONE VOICE CONFERENCEFEATURE BFBB aims for a united stance By Iwan Fox

With ever-growing concern over the long-term sustainability of brass bands in the UK, the British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) held a seminar for its member associations and invited delegates in Birmingham last weekend. With youth development a key element of future banding prosperity, the ‘One Voice’ seminar saw speakers from local authority music services, banding associations, community youth bands and the BFBB shed light on their own particular activities in the hope of gaining a greater degree of understanding, and with the aim of developing a closer working relationship with each other.

The seminar was chaired by Paul Hindmarsh, himself a progressive voice in trying to encourage a greater degree of integration between the disparate elements of what is currently a patchwork landscape of musical misunderstanding. His biting observation, that there was a desperate need to “break the brass band bubble of institutionalised insularity,” was sharply observed. Speakers on the day included Alun F. Williams and Steve Legge from Greater Gwent and Gloucestershire Music Services, Louise Renshaw from Macclesfi eld Youth Band, Ian Carter and Peter Fraser from the Southern Counties and Scottish Brass Band Associations respectively, as well as BFBB’s Philip Watson, Nigel Morgan and Derek Atkinson. Around 30 delegates made the trip from just about all corners of the UK and were welcomed by BFBB Chairman, Robert Morgan, who emphasised the need for the brass band community as a whole to speak “with one voice”, either in representing itself to the many tiers of governmental hierarchy, or with the BFBB in creating closer working relationships with individual organisations. The ‘One Voice’ epithet had echoes of the current aims of the Music Education Council (MEC), the umbrella body for all organisations connected with music education in the UK. It has long spoken with a singularly articulate voice to the highest levels of government in trying to meet its objectives of supporting and promoting all areas of music education. In its current working strategy, this includes ‘...wider opportunities, working alongside schools, music services and community musicians’ – something which the BFBB’s One Voice day should have perhaps been all about. However, according to the MEC’s own website, the BFBB is not currently a member of its organisation and, as a result, despite a number of interesting presentations, the One Voice day ultimately lacked any specifi c or related outcome. Delegates undoubtedly left better informed, especially in relation to the work of two of the country’s leading music service providers, but whether the event provided the foundation stones on which the BFBB could build progressive links to them was another matter. Both presentations highlighted the excellent work and commitment each service is geared to providing its young charges, but with the BFBB’s lack of Welsh membership and with its own limited resources in only having a Development Offi cer in harness for three days a week, what hope is there of forging closer ties with these beacons of good educational musical practice? One was left thinking that gaining active BFBB representation on the Music Education Council would be a better priority. The same questions arose when applied to the presentation given by Louise Renshaw, one of the leading lights in community youth development with her sterling work with Macclesfi eld Youth Band. Her excellent achievements have considerable merit and interest, but without a timetable for action, promotion and support for others like her from the BFBB, it will surely remain one of many shining, but isolated examples, of individual inspiration. The work of both the Scottish and Southern Counties Associations gave cause for encouragement, although in markedly diff erent ways. Ian Carter of SCABA outlined the painstakingly small steps an organisation formed as far back as 1893 has taken in trying to remain vibrant and active against a backdrop of diminishing membership and rising costs. Meanwhile Peter Fraser gave the Scottish perspective - one that seems quite radically at odds with the BFBB. The Scots speak very much with one voice it seems, while it can be argued that, at present, the BFBB, with little or no member bands in either of the Celtic nations, is perceived to speak with a predominately English accent. What hope then of some sort of unifi ed approach in these bastions of musical devolution? That is being addressed through the work of the BFBB Development Offi cer, Philip Watson, and Treasurer, Nigel Morgan, both of whom are trying to increase membership in these countries, as well as areas such as Cumbria and the south west, while also working to gain a stronger foothold on bodies such as the Arts Council. However, despite the good intentions of the day, the One Voice seminar seemed to lack a coherent degree of ‘joined up thinking’ – to coin the buzz-phrase of many government-inspired initiatives at present.

With pressure on the BFBB to try and strengthen its fi nancial backbone (over 42 percent of its funding comes from the Arts Council and only 35 percent from its members), such wide ranging initiatives seem likely to be beyond an organisation that needs to focus its more obvious strengths in other directions – notably in trying to increase its membership base, which it readily admits has stagnated in recent years. Laudable as the One Voice conference was, it will surely take many more members to sign up with the BFBB if it is to be a voice that is actually heard to some lasting eff ect. Louise Renshaw

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 5

BB 4-5.indd 5 17/6/08 17:57:23 2008 FRENCH OPEN BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Rijnmond takes the Fre

The weekend of the 6, 7 and 8 June saw the 14th French Open another musical genre, but personally I felt that it would have in Michel Debre Place, were 13 bands, refreshed after a few Championships take place in the beautiful town of Amboise, been better received if the programme consisted of music of hours sleep, ready to compete in the March competition of during which 14 bands battled for the accolade. The French a lighter nature. The programme began with a transcription the French Open Championships. Based upon the format of are renowned for their passion for music and festivals, and the of Debussy’s The Girl with the Flaxen Hair, which I felt was not our Whit Friday March Contest, the bands, encouraged by Open Championships highlighted their enthusiasm for brass exactly the right choice for the opening of a gala concert or enthusiastic French onlookers, played their own choice of bands. any other concert for that matter. This year, the guest soloists marches, and were adjudicated by Trevor Austin. Lockwood The driving force behind this initiative from it’s conception were the international trombone soloist, Michel Becquet, and Brass, conducted by John Roberts, played The Australasian has been Jacques Gaudet, President of the Association Des the winner of the Munich Trombone Competition, Fabrice by William Rimmer with a precise tempo throughout, and Amis du Brass Band, and Managing Director of the French Millicher. Both were on fi ne form as they made easy work of emerged as the winner. Atout Vent, conducted by William instrument manufacturer, Antoine Courtois, ably assisted by Handel’s Sonata for Two Trombones. The wind orchestra then Houssoy, also delivered an impressive, detailed performance Pascal Caraty, director of Amboise Music School, supported by closed the fi rst half of the concert with an arrangement of of another Rimmer march, Punchinello, and was placed their expert advisers, Stuart Broadbent and David Horsfi eld. Rimsky Korsakov’s haunting Scheherazade. runner-up. Third place was awarded to Brass Band Nord Pas Jacques Gaudet has always hoped that the introduction of The second half began with a duet featuring baritone soloist, De Calais, which delivered some very good ensemble playing this festival would encourage his native French bands to Arnaud Sevault, and tubist, Benoit Fourreau, which was in yet another Rimmer work, this time Ravenswood. This participate in a competition that could be compared to the fabulous to listen to and watch. Next came a suite from leads me to think that the successful bands had done their British Open. The interest aroused by the event not only Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, which was well executed. Michel homework and established that Rimmer is one of adjudicator attracted musicians, but also a large local audience, which Becquet reurned to play Gordon Langford’s Rhapsody for Trevor Austin’s favourite composers of marches, although they awaits the French Open more eagerly every year. Over the 14 Trombone, which clearly demonstrated what a master of the had worked hard to perfect their performances of course. years that the contest has been held, over 140 bands have instrument he is. He plays with such ease and in a lyrical style Following a leisurely lunch, there was a 25-minute competed, with more than 23,000 people attending the that would make the late Don Lusher proud. This was the fi nal entertainment programme in Michel Debre Place and Afn event. This year’s Championships drew bands from England, piece and I felt it was a shame, since the idea was to introduce Square, with each band using its imagination to off er the France, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and saw the two genres of brass bands and wind bands to each best in musical quality and humor to the appreciative crowds. over 700 musicians perform in Amboise over the weekend. other. The poor choice of programme destroyed all the hard This year there were two prizes of 500 Euros for the most This year also provided something special for the French work of the organisers and the musicians, who were merely entertaining bands and these were won by the Brass band participants as, for the fi rst time since the beginning of the performing the programme chosen to an unappreciative Normandie and Spijkerpakken Band. There were also two venture, French brass bands fi nally made an impression. audience. Although a warning to concert promoters, the prizes of 75 Euros, donated by Kirklees Music, for the two best The festival began with the usual welcoming party before experience did not aff ect the festival atmosphere in any way open air solo performances, which went to xylophone soloist, the entertainment began with a gala concert given by L’ due to most of the bands making alternative arrangements Fabien Gitteau of Exo Brass, and the soprano cornet player Orchestra of Harmonie de la Musique des l’Air de Paris under for the evening, before making their way to bed, eagerly of Brass Band Nord Pas De Calais, adjudicated by Mrs Jenny the baton of Lieutenant Colonel Claude Kesmaecker. Breaking anticipating the events of the next day. Horsfi eld and Mrs Barbara Broadbent. with the normal tradition of featuring solely brass bands, There couldn’t be a better way to start a morning than fi nding The adjudicators this year for the main contest were Stuart this was a wind orchestra with harp and percussion. It was oneself in the picturesque surroundings of a magnifi cent Broadbent (chairman), David Horsfi eld (UK), Pascal Eischer an interesting way of introducing staunch brass supporters to chateau in the heart of rural France. Before us, at 10.30am (Switzerland) and a French adjudicator who found himself

Brass Band De Thudinie Smithills Senior School Band

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 6

BB 6-7.indd 6 17/6/08 18:01:30 2008 FRENCH OPEN BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Full Results

Elite Section 1. Rijnmond (NL) (I. Meylemans) 114; 2. Nord Pas De Calais rench Open title (F) (P. Lorthios) 111; 3. Normandie (F) (P. Gervais) 106.25. Report by Chris Jeans Excellence Section

unable to attend, so Roger Webster and myself stepped in to performance of Bart Wuilmus’ solemn ‘Evensong’. Guest 1.Exo (F) (G. Harnois) 113.75; 2. Ensemble De Cuivres assist the judges. Victory overall went to Brass Band Rijnmond soloist, Roger Webster, demonstrated his excellent phrasing Euphonia (Ch) (M. Bach) 11.75; 3. Lockwood (UK) (J. from the Netherlands, which took the honours in the Elite and lyricism in Giulio Caccini’s Ave Maria in an arrangement by Roberts) 110.25; 4. Spijkerpakkenband (Nl) (T. Oud), Division, the title, French Open Champion 2008 and 1,500 Simon Kerwin, which was a joy to listen to. The band fi nished 109.15; Euros. Rijnmond’s performance earned the band a three-point the fi rst half with two movements from Philip Sparke’sMusic 1st Division:

winning margin over Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais, with for Battle Creek. This was a reading of the highest order, 1.Brassage (F) (M. Charton) 112.75; 2. De Thudinie (B) (J. fellow French contender, Brass Band Normandie, in third enhanced by excellent solo playing from the principal cornet, Clippe) 107.25; 3. Dearham (UK) (G. Williams) 104.75.; 4. place. In the Excellence Division, victory and the Courtois euphonium and trombone and fi ne musical direction from Atout Vent (F) (W. Houssoy) 100.75. cornet prize went to Exo Brass from France conducted by Frans Violet. 2nd Division Harnois Giloas, ahead of Euphonia of Switzerland directed by Following the distribution of the prizes, Willebroek opened 1. Union Cugy Vesin (Ch) (P. Boisselier) 106.25. Michael Bach, with the UK’s Lockwood in third place. In the the second half of its programme with a real top-notch Youth Division

1st Division, Brassage Band of Frace, conducted by Mathias performance of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s Horizons. Principal 1.Smithills School Senior (UK) (C. Wormald) 108.75; 2. Charton, delivered a solid winning performance, ahead of the trombonist, Walter Hoeks, then featured in Victor Trojan’s Youth Brass A Tous Vents (F) (R. Lecomte) 101. Belgians, Brass Band De Thudinie, with Dearham from the Dear Frog arranged by Georges Moreau, in which he went Best Soloist UK in third place, while the sole entrant in the 2nd Division walking about among the audience – what a showman! Next Tuba, Rijnmond. was Cugy Vesin, which took home 1000 Euros. Finally, in the came Philip Sparke’s Saying Goodbye featuring the beautiful, March Competition Youth Division, there was British success as Smithills School lyrical playing of the band’s principal euphonium Stef Pillaert, 1. Lockwood (93); 2. Atout Vent (91); 3. Nord Pas De Calais Senior Band, making its debut at the Championships under before band and audience welcomed back Roger Webster, (90); 4. Dearham (89). Chris Wormald, took the top prize of 1,000 Euros, with a to play Harry James’ Trumpet Concerto in Elgar Howarth’s Entertainment (outside public performance, commanding victory over rival, Youth Atout Vents. arrangement, with Roger his usual, outstanding self. Michel Debre Place) The traditional fi nal Gala Concert took place in Claude Menard The band then played Kenneth Downie’s Exultate, based on Normandie. Hall, and this year featured Brass Band Willebroek conducted a Salvationist song, Would You Know Why I Love Jesus? This Entertainment (outside public performance, by Frans Violet. The programme opened with William Himes’ found everyone on top form and led to the fi nal solo of the Afn Square) stirring Milestone, followed by Stephen Robert’s beautiful evening from Stef Pillaert, who gave a demonstration of just Spijkerpakkenband. arrangement of the Irish folk tune, Carrickfergus, featuring about everything you could possibly do on a euphonium in Best Soloist (Michel Debre Place) the solo baritone playing of Nick Vermeiren. Next came a an arrangement by Frank Bernaerts of Briccialdi’s Carnival of Cornet, Nord Pas De Calais. brand new arrangement by Klass van der Woude Scherzo for Venice. The programme concluded with a lively reading of Best Soloist (outside public performance, Motorcycle and Orchestra from John William’s score for the Dean Jones’ Glorifi co Aeternum, but the audience would not Afn Square) fi lmIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This was a brilliant let Willebroek leave the stage until its had given four encores. Xylophone, Exo. tour-de-force performance for the entire band, although the Although the encores took the concert well past midnight, as highlight of the evening must have been the spellbinding Chris Wormald observed, nobody wanted to leave before the playing of soprano cornetist, Bert van Thienen, who received a end. Next year, the 15th French Open Championships will be 5-minute standing ovation. The band then gave a thoughtful held on 5, 6 and 7 June.

Spijkerpakkenband Brass Band Rijnmond

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 7

BB 6-7.indd 8 17/6/08 18:01:38 PEOPLE The Paganini of th

Rodney Newton talks to Swedish jazz trombonist, Nils Landgren, who astounded everyone at the European Championships Gala Concert with his outstanding virtuosity.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 68

BB 8-9.indd 6 17/6/08 17:58:04 FEATUREPEOPLE he jazz trombone

The title of this article has been carefully chosen. Niccolo Paganini was a 19th century violinist who pushed the limits of what was thought possible on his instrument and amazed everyone with his astonishing virtuosity. Those of us who attended the European Championships Gala Concert in Stavanger last month will be in no doubt that we witnessed an equivalent in terms of the trombone. Playing his distinctive red tenor trombone, leading Swedish jazz musician, Nils Landgren, proceeded to give a demonstration of eff ortless playing that took the breath away. In the end, it seemed that he didn’t even need his instrument to play a solo, systematically stripping his ‘red horn’ down until he reached the mouthpiece, then dispensed with that, continuing to play into the microphone by using his embouchure alone. Now, that’s technique! Born in 1956 in Degerfors, near Karlstad (a steel town and the home of a famous football team), Nils Landgren’s introduction career as a jazz trombonist. Sometimes uninitiated people written by former Blue Suede member, Anders Berglund), as to music came through the church, and from his father who think that the life of a musician - particularly a jazz musician well as appearing as an actor in several television productions played the cornet and brought home records of American jazz. - is one of constant enjoyment and delight. The real fact of (“I always ended up playing the villain, for some reason,” he “They were the old-type 78rpm shellac records,” he recalled, the matter is that it is frequently very hard, particularly in said). He is no stranger to brass bands, however, having been “and my father used to ask me if I could identify the various the early stages, and at fi rst, Nils didn’t fi nd things easy by involved in 1988 with the late Bengt Eklund and the now- instruments. The one I was able to spot was the trombone, any means. However, he persevered, gaining much valuable defunct Göteborg Brass Band. In 1988, Nils appeared with the played by the great Lawrence Brown of the Duke Ellington experience during diffi cult these years, until he was off ered a band on the famous occasion of its spectacular win (in which Band. My father also ran a jazz band and I used to watch tour with Björn Skifs, the leading Swedish pop singer at that it won fi rst prize in both sections) at the World Championship it rehearse. I looked in puzzlement at the trombonist, not time, who had scored a huge No. 1 hit in the USA with his in Brisbane, Australia . understanding at all how the instrument worked nor really band, Blue Suede, and a cover version of the 1969 Mark James In 1992, he formed his own group, The Nils Landgren Unit, being able to make anything of it.” song, Hooked on a Feeling. From then on, Nils Landgren’s career releasing an album called Red Horn (re-released in 2001 on It was percussion, however, that fi rst gave young Nils the became upwardly-mobile. He became involved in all kinds of the ACT label under the title The First Unit) and, that summer, opportunity to play. He explained, “From the age of six, I music, from big band, jazz and rock, to soul and hip-hop. His the ensemble was engaged to play at a jazz festival in Los played the drums and my brother and I joined a marching recording legacy is enormous, with at least 500 albums to his Angeles hosted by the popular actor and TV personality, Bill band. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for drumming was not credit and, in addition to working with Swedish jazz artists, he Cosby. Then in 1994, following an invitation to play at the appreciated by everyone and, one day, after my brother and has also collaborated with ABBA, The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock Jazz Baltica Festival in Germany, his group changed its name I had drummed up a storm in our room and terrorised the and played on Wyclef Jean’s fi rst solo album,The Carnival. to Funk Unit, releasing an album, Live in Stockholm, the same neighbourhood, our mother came in and said that enough In 1981, the American jazz trumpeter, the late Thad Jones year, which also saw the band sign up with the ACT label. was enough and that at least one of us would have to choose (hailed by jazz legend, Charles Mingus, as ‘the greatest Nils Landgren has performed to great acclaim all over the another instrument. She was very fond of the trombone trumpet player I’ve heard in this life’), invited Nils Landgren world, and formed a duo with pianist, Esbjörn Svensson. In herself and brought one home for me to try.” It was a love to join a new big-band project, Ball of Fire, as lead trombone 2001, he became Artistic Director of that year’s Berlin Jazz match and, from that time forth, Nils Landgren’s path was set. (Jones had been resident in Denmark since 1978). Built Festival and will again direct the Festival this year. In 2002, In 1972, at the age of 16, he enrolled at the music college in around such musicians as saxophonists, Jerome Richardson, he received the Tore Ehrling Prize from the Swedish Society Karlstad to study classical trombone with David Maytan (now Jerry Dodgion and Sahib Shihab, trumpeters, Tim Hagans of Popular Composers for ‘his outstanding contribution to the with the Reno Foundation Orchestra of Nevada, USA), also and Dusko Goykovich, and composer-arranger-pianist, Roger spread of Swedish jazz music around the globe’. He is Artistic taking lessons from Ingemar Roos (principal trombone of the Kellaway, the band, described by Nils Landgren as “fantastic”, Director of the world-famous NDR Big-Band in Hamburg, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra) at the University of Arvika. unfortunately did not last and Thad Jones died in Copenhagen where he is also professor of trombone at the State Academy It was during his student years that he met the legendary in 1986. However, in 1983, Nils released his fi rst album, of Music and Drama, and holds the artistic directorship of Swedish folk-jazz pioneer, Bengt-Arne Wallin, and the late Eje Planet Rock, followed by Streetfi ghter in 1984, You are my No. a similar band in Sweden. Although he travels extensively Thelin, a leading exponent of free-jazz, who was Professor of 1 in 1985, Miles from Duke with Bengt-Arne Wallin in 1987, (a look at his website reveals an exhausting schedule of Trombone at Graz Conservatoire in Austria and known for his Chapter Two 1, in 1987, Chapter Two 2 and Follow your Heart engagements), there are no immediate plans for a visit to the facile technique and intensity. These meetings were defi ning in 1989. Between 1985 and 1987, in addition to his usual UK. “Britain had proved to be a diffi cult country to get into for moments as, from that time hence, Nils Landgren realised role as a trombonist, he also appeared as an actor, singer and us,” he said. However, it surely can’t be too long before ‘The that his future lay in the fi elds of improvisation and jazz. dancer in over 360 performances of the Swedish musical, Man with the Red Horn’ comes to these shores to take our Following graduation in 1978, he embarked on a freelance Skål (recipient of Sweden’s 1986 Play of the Year award and breath away once again.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 89

BB 8-9.indd 8 17/6/08 17:58:05 BRASS ROOTS

Morecambe Band took the honours at the annual Kirkby Lonsdale Brass Band Contest, held last Sunday (15th), for 3rd and 4th Section bands. Ten bands contended with the weather, but the sun was shining on Morecambe, the band scoring a four-point victory. The results were: 3rd Section 1. Morecambe (A. Warriner) 310; 2. Flixton (P. Andrews) 306; 3. Pilling Jubilee Silver Band (B. Porter) 296. 4th Section 1. Kirkby Lonsdale (M. Buchanan) 299; 2. Sale Brass (J. Dickinson) 279; 3. Lofthouse 2000 (A. Whitaker) 276. Best Youth Band: Glossopdale Community College Winning Conductor: A. Warriner (Morecambe) Best Instrumentalist: M. Rowley (solo euphonium, Flixton) Best March: Flixton Best Hymn: Morecambe Deportment: Ripon City Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent (music) and John Knewstubb (deportment). Besses Kirby Lonsdale Band

Lincolnshire Hospitals Band is the only brass band in the UK with an affiliation to the National Health Service and this year being the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, the band is holding a Gala Charity Concert in Lincoln Cathedral on 26 September at 7.30pm. The band is thrilled to announce that Lincolnshire’s own international concert pianist, Ashley Wass, will be performing with it on this auspicious occasion. Musical Director of the Lincolnshire Hospitals Band, Ewan Robson, who is also Information Governance Officer at Lincoln County Hospital, expressed his delight that two such diverse types of music will be heard together under the great roof of Lincoln Cathedral, commenting: “It is a rare occurrence for a brass band to have the opportunity to play with a soloist of the stature of Ashley Wass, and the band is very excited that our music has attracted such an endorsement from the world of classical music.” The main purpose of the concert is to raise funds for the band’s 2008 nominated charities, Victims of Stroke Units in Lincolnshire Hospitals and Strut in the Gordon Holmes and Jack Sedgwick receiving awards for 65 years’ service to Kirby Lonsdale Band Community, based in Lincoln but with connections throughout the county.

Yorkshire Co-op Brass Band has been officially revealed as the new sound of Yorkshire Water. The nationally acclaimed Abraham Darby Showband and the School’s Senior Brass As part of Yorkshire Water’s bid to help the Company make the most of its roots, Yorkshire Co-op Band from the Abraham Darby Specialist School for the Performing Arts, recorded a selection of modern tracks from Robbie Williams, The Fugees, Tony Christie and Katie Madeley, Telford are delighted to welcome for the first time Sovereign Brass Band. Mellua, which are now being used as the ‘call-holding’ music for Yorkshire Water at the company’s Sovereign Brass is currently led by Musical Director, David Maplestone, who has Bradford-based contact centre - Loop Customer Management - and are available to listen to on the a very close link with the school as he is the current Musical Director of its Senior company’s website. Brass Band. Head of customer service at Loop, Zoe Mason, commented: “Being a Yorkshire company, we feel it is Formed in 1987, Sovereign Brass achieved great success in a short space of time. As important to support the local community, so when we decided to change the messaging and hold 4th Section Champion at the 1989 South Midlands and East Anglia Championships, music at the contact centre to reflect our Yorkshire roots, we thought it would be a great idea to work the band went on to win all ‘Area’ sections in consecutive years. Regional and with a local brass band. National Championships successes continued with the band making its first “By working with Yorkshire Co-op Band, we hope that our customers will further enjoy the experience appearance in the Championship Section at the Royal Albert Hall in 1992. Since they receive when they contact Yorkshire Water and enjoy a modern twist on a traditional style of music.” then the band has been a successful competitor at many major events. Said Yorkshire Co-op’s Manager, Tabby Clegg: “Working with Yorkshire Water has been a privilege and The joint concert will be held in the school’s well-equipped Selwyn Theatre on another exciting project undertaken by the band. It is also a great honour to be heard by so many Saturday 5 July commencing at 7.30pm. people, especially in the year that we celebrate our tenth anniversary. We hope that this is the start of many exciting projects with Yorkshire Water and the launch of the new holding music coincides with the start of a new and exciting era for the band.”

Wessex Brass Band Association has recently commenced its programme of activities that will take place during the current year. These started with a ‘Steven Mead Week’, in which the euphonium star spent several days rehearsing some of the Association’s member bands, was a guest soloist at concerts given by two bands and also held a workshop with the Association’s youth bands. In August, the Association is organising a solo, quartet and ensemble competition, followed in September by a series of masterclasses and a conductors’ workshop in November. At the beginning of December there will be the annual Winter Festival.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 10

BB 10-11.indd 6 17/6/08 17:58:42 BRASS ROOTS

Arklow Shipping Silver Band of County Wicklow has entered its 40th year. The band was founded in 1968 and, under the auspices of Michael Byrne and John Bonner, began the long journey towards being one of the best brass bands in the country, culminating with an unprecedented winning of seven national titles in a row from 2000 to 2006. This year sees the continuation and upgrading of measures which will help to ensure the band continues long into the future. These changes and innovations include the appointment of James MacCafferty as Resident Conductor, regular guest tutors and masterclasses, entering national and international competitions and a concerted recruitment drive. In fact, the band’s learners’ class, which is on a summer break, still has spaces, and it is hoped to expand the class to start a junior band in September. So far, there are a number of concerts and other engagements planned for the year ahead, details of which are available on www.ArklowSilverBand.com Another major step this year is the appointment of Derek Broadbent, who has had a long association with the band, as Honorary President.

Illinois Brass Band has announced the appointment of In May, the Royal British Legion Leiston Band went on a tour to Belgium. The main reason for the trip was to take part in Stephen Squires to the post of Music Director, commencing the ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, which bears the names of 54,896 British and Commonwealth soldiers who on 1 September. The band has a ten-year relationship with have no known graves and who lost their lives fighting in and around the town during the World War I. Being affiliated to The Steve as a clinician and guest conductor and, while his duties Royal British Legion, it had long been the aim of the band to take part in this poignant ceremony, which is held every day at officially begin in September, he will be overseeing auditions 8.00pm. at the end of July and a concert or two this summer. Steve Squires received his musical training at the Preparatory School of the Eastman School of Music and the Crane School of Music, in his home state of New York. He earned his Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting and Trumpet Performance at California State University, Northridge. He continued conducting study in seminars with Helmuth Rilling, Maurice Abravanel, Daniel Lewis, Tsung Yeh, and the Aspen School. As a professional conductor he has worked with many exceptional artists, including Janos Starker, Pinchas Zukerman, Shmuel Ashkenasi, John Browning, Leon Bates, Ani Kavafian, Wendy Warner, James Tocco, Richard Stoltzman, and most of the principal players of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Orchestra. Stephen Squires is the Principal Conductor and Professor of Conducting in the Music Conservatory at Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University.

During the day of Sunday 25 May, the band gave a lunchtime concert performance in front of the Town Hall in Ypres, entertaining a large crowd of supporters and tourists, and patrons of the packed cafés and restaurants around the market square. In the afternoon, the band travelled to Tyne Cot War Graves Cemetery where it held a wreath-laying ceremony and Act of Remembrance with Standard Bearers and members of the Royal British Legion. At the Stone of Remembrance, set amongst the 11,956 graves of the fallen, young band members Harriet Kersey and Jack Parker laid poppy wreaths on behalf of the Band and Suffolk County RBL. After a band performance of Nimrod, eight of the band’s cornet players sounded Last Post and Reveille. The ceremony ended with the playing of the British and Belgian national anthems and the Royal British Legion March, followed by a tour of the Visitors’ Centre where maps and illustrations describe the battlefield of Passchendaele. At 7.30pm on the Sunday, the band formed up in the market square in Ypres and led the parade to the Menin Gate accompanied by RBL Standard Bearers and a large contingent representing ‘Sikhs of the Salient’ who had come from many countries to A conductor active in orchestral, wind, operatic and ballet remember their fallen. Over 1,000 people had assembled under the great arch and during the ceremony the band played Nimrod music, Mr. Squires’ current professional appointments include by Edward Elgar, O Valiant Hearts, The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended and the British and Belgian national anthems. A section Associate Conductor of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Memorial bears the names of soldiers of the Suffolk Regiment who lost their lives during the battles and the band’s Director of the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra (Rockford, participation in the ceremony included laying a wreath in commemoration of their sacrifice. The band’s Drum Major, Derek Doy, IL), Principal Guest Conductor of the Millar Brass (Evanston, laid the wreath. IL), and Conductor of the Salt Creek Ballet Orchestra (Hinsdale, IL). He recently made his debut conducting the On Monday 26 May, the band travelled to Bruges and after exploring this lovely city, gave a concert performance in the main famed Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is the former Music market square. Again, it attracted a large audience of tourists and supporters, who showed enthusiastic appreciation of the Director of the Illinois Chamber Symphony. music. The weekend also included visits to the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, the preserved British trenches at Hill 62 Sanctuary In addition, Steve Squires is an accomplished recital Wood, the Operation Dynamo Museum at Dunkerque and a walk on the evacuation beaches of World War II. accompanist and freelance trumpeter.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 11

BB 10-11.indd 10 17/6/08 17:58:44 BRASS ROOTS

On Friday 20 June at 7.30pm, Formby Hall, Atherton was the place to be for any brass band annual event ever since. The bands each take a turn at hosting the event; last year’s was hosted fans in the area. The forces of youth were due to take over the venue for an exciting evening’s by Bolton Youth Band at the Festival Hall in Bolton and, this year, it was the turn of Astley Youth entertainment in the seventh annual Three Bands Gala Concert, featuring more than 130 Band to host the event at Formby Hall. young brass players from the youth bands of Wigan, Bolton and Astley. Each band was due to perform a programme of approximately 20 minutes duration, with the The three bands fi rst got together for a gala concert back in 2002, and it has become a welcome evening fi nishing with a massed band performance.

Financial concern over the band’s costs. Despite the eff orts of all the players, staff and prestigious Scottish Education Awards, sponsored by the Daily friends, it looks as though we are likely to be several thousand Record. Since then, sponsored walks have raised over £5,000 NYBBS Japanese tour pounds in the red when the band returns from Japan, no and a prize draw brought in nearly £6,000. In April, the band matter how successful the tour is.” recorded a CD (its third in ten years) at the RSAMD. The fi nancial viability of the forthcoming two-week tour of The tour has been organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary Neil Cross concluded: “Sponsorship for the tour has been Japan by the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) of NYBBS, with 69 members of the band due to meet up essential and we are delighted that Buff et-Crampon, Just has been hit by the recent rise in the price of oil and the drop in Glasgow on 3 July along with tutors, house staff and Music, Band Supplies, London Musical Instruments, World in the value of the pound, which have combined to add a huge conductor, Richard Evans, to rehearse and perform a concert in of Brass, SBBA, British Bandsman and others have provided amount on to the band’s costs. Speaking to BB, Neil Cross, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before fl ying very generous help, but we would appeal to former members Director of the NYBBS, commented: “I received an email two to Japan. of NYBBS, and anyone with brass banding in their blood, weeks ago to say that a fuel surcharge meant that there would Along with guest soloist, Steven Mead, the NYBBS will give to off er whatever help they can to help us in the current be an added £3,500 on the transport bill. More signifi cantly, eight concerts across the country, in cities including Tokyo, circumstances.” the drop in the value of the pound against the yen (roughly Kyoto, Hamamatsu and Osaka. Fund-raising for the tour Anyone wishing to help can contact Neil Cross at 18% since January) has eff ectively added almost £20,000 to started over a year ago when the band performed at the [email protected] or on 01555 661977.

Ohio Brass Band, conducted by Dr. Paul Droste, will be performing at Durham University during the band’s summer tour of Great Britain. At the invitation of Ray Farr and Fishburn Band, the American visitors will perform a selection from their specially prepared repertory. The concert, which will take place in Durham University Concert Hall, Palace Green on Wednesday 9 July at 8.00pm, will be a part of BRASS 08, the Durham International Festival which, this year, also features Canadian Brass and Brighouse and Rastrick amongst many other top international artists. Fishburn Band will support the Ohio Band and also play a short programme including Tallis Variations by Philip Sparke.

band initiative was in 1976 when he helped to organise the Berkhamsted and Boxmoor Band’s Obituary participation in the Second International Music Festival in Turnhout, Belgium. He made friends easily, especially across the generations and for many years he instructed young learners in Hemel Hempstead Band reports with sorrow the passing of Maurice Overhead on 24 May the band. He was also receptive to new ideas and generous-spirited, but with a sharp eye for 2008 after a short illness. Maurice, aged 77, was a dedicated brass bandsman for 60 years. the band’s fi nances, He served as Treasurer for over 25 years, taking a key role in two successful Maurice Overhead joined the John Dickinson (Apsley) Band in 1947. On completion of his funding applications. Maurice was very proud that the latest Heritage Lottery Fund’s grant National Service he transferred to Boxmoor Silver Band, where he met his future wife, Barbara enabled Barbara to publish her 138-year survey, A History of the Hemel Hempstead Band, leading Waite, who was the fi rst female player in the area. In 1960, Maurice’s band merged to become to a double page spread in British Bandsman in (BB 5502). the new Berkhamsted and Boxmoor Band, which in turn amalgamated with his former band, Maurice’s funeral was held on 11 June 2008 at West Hertfordshire Crematorium. The band, John Dickinson (Apsley) Band in 1986 as the Atlas Copco Band, becoming the present Hemel augmented with many past members, played throughout the service and fi nished with music Hempstead Band in 1999. He was principal trombone for many years before moving to Eb bass. from Maurice’s favourite composer – Verdi’s Grand March from Aida. Maurice was born, lived and died in the same house in Apsley. He worked in the canal-side Apsley Paper Mill and took many holidays on the canal, but he also travelled abroad. An early Professor Jack Lonergan

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 12

BB 12-13.indd 12 17/6/08 17:59:48 CRITICS CORNER The ISB in celebratory mood Daystar The International Staff Band Conductor Dr. Stephen Cobb SP&S SPS 236 CD Available from World of Brass, Midland CD, 4barsrest

This latest release from the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army (ISB) represents a celebration of the work of three composers who have contributed significantly to the repertoire of Salvation Army music. The name of Ray Steadman-Allen in any programme of music is an instant guarantee of craftsmanship and quality. Add to that the playing of works by Kenneth Downie and Leslie Condon, together with informed booklet notes by Paul Hindmarsh, and you have a recipe for a CD release of high quality. Kenneth Downie’s The Covenanters gets the programme off to a spirited start, with Dr. Cobb leading a committed reading of this attractive work, a ‘march fantasy’ created around an old Scottish hymn tune, inspired by the 17th century Scottish Presbyterian Covenanters who defied both church and state. In Kenneth Downie’s hands, the pentatonic tune takes on a rugged, do-or-die personality with more than an heroic ring to it. Following this, Dr. Downie’s arrangement of Anton Bruckner’s setting of the Ave Maria is given a sensitive reading, with Kevin Ashman and his solo cornet section in the spotlight, reminding one that the composer of massive symphonies was also able to create touching miniatures as well. Notable contributions come from Kevin Ashman (principal cornet), Gary Fountain (soprano The ever-reliable Derek Kane is the soloist in the third work from the pen of Kenneth Downie, cornet), Andrew Justice (solo trombone), and Derek Kane. Images of Praise, a two-part euphonium feature specially written for Derek. A gentle, elegiac The final three items feature the music of Leslie Condon. The concise Celebration is a sprightly opening provides an opportunity for him to display his lyrical side, while the fast section has minor-key march, written in 1966, with a reference to an old Salvationist song with the catchy a touch of Eastern Europe about it with lots of flourishes and, at one point, a brief dialogue chorus, We’ll keep the old flag flying, and receives a tight, idiomatic reading here, while Song of with the timpanist and the percussion section. This is a most attractive showpiece to which the Eternal is a much more weighty offering which, likewise, is confidently handled. The final all fans of the euphonium will warm. track, Leslie Condon’s classic The Call of the Righteous, receives a definitive performance with Ray Steadman-Allen’s Daystar is a sequence of variations on the well-known hymn tune its opening clarion call delivered with great panache and the slightly spooky march near the Ascalon, soberly stated at the outset, before the band is let loose in a celebratory outburst. opening (a ‘procession of Christian heroes, saints and martyrs of bygone ages’ according to the Following a more lyrical passage, another hymn tune is introduced and a rich tapestry is booklet notes) well balanced, with some lovely soft solo playing in the following passage. The woven. A moment of reflection leads to a reworking of the previous material in reverse piece concludes with references to a well-known hymn by General William Booth himself and order (logic and craftsmanship as ever at the heart of Lt. Col. Steadman-Allen’s work) and a the finale is stirring in the extreme. resounding coda. Stephen Cobb and the ISB pull out all the stops in a convincing reading, the Recording is clear and of a high standard, with slight inclination towards brightness on my basses being particularly fleet-footed. The same composer’s Romans 8 is another celebratory equipment (no bad thing, given the nature of much of the material on this album). Warmly piece, written in 1985 and consisting of a sequence of four familiar hymn tunes woven recommended to anyone with an interest in any of the music in this collection, or to those who together in skilful fashion. Once again, the ISB responds with commitment and enthusiasm wish to hear The Salvation Army’s premier UK band in repertoire that shows it at its best. to this finely-crafted piece, with its boisterous opening passage urged on by the timpani. Rodney Newton

tributes from Stephen Cobb and former Bandmasters, Colonels Bearcroft and Redhead. Brian Canadian Staff Band unveils new talent Burditt was then invited to lead the CSB through Dean Jones’ El es El Senor, which the CSB featured on its recent trip to Mexico. To conclude the first half, the band gave a powerful The Canadian Staff Band (CSB) celebrated its 39th anniversary with a concert on 31 May, performance of Martin Cordner’s challenging work, Lord of Sea and Sky. Descriptive music, held at Scarborough Citadel. Guest this year was the USA’s Western Territorial Band, under the based on words taken from Isaiah 6:8, the piece features the popular Daniel Schutte song, Here direction of Bandmaster Neil Smith. The CSB got the evening off to a flying start with Paul I am Lord. Following the intermission, the massed bands gave a spirited performance of Dudley Lovatt-Cooper’s exciting opener, Where Eagles Sing, which was followed by Leslie Condon’s Bright’s appropriate march for this occasion, Spirit of the West. Two more items from the WTB march, Celebration, during the playing of which, the Western Territorial Band (WTB) marched in followed. The aforementioned Kevin Larsson also tries his hand at composition and we enjoyed from the back of the auditorium to a warm Canadian reception from the packed house. The WTB his march, Victory in Jesus. This was contrasted with Goff Richards’ inspiring and uplifting then favoured us with two numbers: first, Martin Cordner’s big band item, Sweetest name, and arrangement of I’ll walk with God, from The Student Prince. The mood was again changed as then in contrast, Bill Himes’ arrangement of Amazing Grace. the CSB played Bill Himes’ overture, God with us, which features a collection of contemporary Commissioner Bill Francis welcomed the two bands and acknowledged that this was worship songs. Turning again to the WTB for its final two solo items of the evening, we were Bandmaster John Lam’s first official engagement since taking over the reins from Brian Burditt. treated to Eric Ball’s classic selection, Songs in Exile, and then for its major work, Bandmaster The CSB’s youngest member, Brindley Venables, then stepped forward to present Bill Himes’ Smith confidently directed the group through Kenneth Downie’s difficult but exciting Purcell Caprice for Cornet, giving a brilliant performance which was rewarded with sustained applause. Variations. Based on the hymn tune, Westminster Abbey, the music presents many challenges Bandmaster Smith introduced the next two numbers and gave some background into the for the players, as one would expect from this composer, but the band came through with flying group’s raison d’etre. Due to the large area the territory covers, the band is unable to rehearse colours, and one wonders how far this group could go if it was able to rehearse regularly! To on a regular basis, but it plays extremely well, underpinned by a fine bass section and excellent conclude the evening, Bandmaster Lam steered the massed bands through Edward Gregson’s corner men. One of these, Kevin Larsson, gave a brilliant performance of Peter Graham’s Variations on Laudate Dominum. In spite of some complaints about its length, both bands are to trombone piece, Fiesta before being joined by the rest. Background music for the presentation be congratulated for providing an evening of top class music making was, appropriately, Norman Bearcroft’s Just like John. Following the photos, there were video Stan Ewing

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 13

BB 12-13.indd 13 17/6/08 17:59:51 WIRELESS BRASS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

We take every possible precaution to ensure the accuracy of the details RICHARD ADAMS. Trumpeter, Teacher, Conductor, Adjudicator. COLIN HARDY. Member NABBC, Adjudicator and Conductor, Head of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, 111 Middle Road, 25 Thirlmere Avenue, Wyke, Bradford, W. Yorks. BD12 9DS. given below. However, we cannot be responsible for changes to stated Singapore 188969. Office 00 65 338 2790. UK Fax: 087 0167 3090. Tel/Fax. (01274) 674174. E-mail: [email protected] times or running order. Mobile: 00 65 9451 8398. E-mail: [email protected]

DEREK ASHMORE. www.hallamshiremusic.co.uk DAVID HIRST. Conductor and Adjudicator. Friday, 27 June, 2130-2200. BBC Radio 2 Tel: 01507 358141 Fax: 01507 358034. The Cottage, Main Street, Milton, Newark, Nottinghamshire. Listen to the Band. Frank Renton presents a programme of listeners’ requests and Tel. 01777 872339 Fax 01777 872852 E-mail: david.hirst@ BRETT BAKER. BSc. ARCM. Soloist, Teacher, Conductor, btinternet.com reviews of the latest CDs. Adjudicator. 35 Yewtree Drive, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire. CW8 4NH. Tel. (01606) 783869. (Mob.) 0777 320 1736. E-mail [email protected] ALAN HOPE. Conductor, Teacher and adjudicator. 113A Fatfield Listen to the Band is also available all week via Radio 2’s website www.bbc.co.uk/ Park, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear. NE38 8BP. Tel/Fax 0191 radio2. Click on the playback section to hear the show, on demand, for a week following MAURICE BALE. BSc, Arranger, Godiva Music. 4161008 Mob: 0776 5656729 E-mail: [email protected] transmission. 18 Raleigh Road, Coventry CV2 4AA. Tel. 024 76 459 409. DAVID W. HORSFIELD. Adjudicator and Music Publisher. PETER BASSANO FRCM HonRCM North Lodge, Potter Row, near ‘Ravenswood’ 50 Wyke Old Lane, Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse, West World of Brass Radio. John Maines introduces a weekly one-hour programme of the Gt. Missenden, Bucks HP16 9LT. Tel.01494 868240 mobile; 07985 101244. E-mail :[email protected] www.peterbassano.com Yorkshire. HD6 4EH. Tel (01484) 722855. Mobile: 07710 208340. best of international banding. Commencing on Fridays, the rolling programme of the E-mail: [email protected] most recent four shows can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks DUNCAN A. BECKLEY. BA. Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator. 26 Ruskin Avenue, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield of the year on www.worldofbrass.com (then click on the WOB Radio link) or www. ALAN JENKIN. B.Sc., LTCL, BBCM, Cert. Educ., Conductor, WF1 2BD (MOB) 07973 389707 E-mail: duncanb76@btopenworld. worldofbrass.com/wobradio com Adjudicator. 4 Beauchamp Close, Neath Hill, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK14 6HZ. Tel/Fax. (01908) 604818 (Home), 224251

JOHN BERRYMAN. ALCM, LTCL, Conductor, Adjudicator. 12 (Music Centre). This week’s programme includes: Enfield Citadel Band of The Salvation Army (Andrew Beaufort Drive, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants. NN15 6SF Blyth): Praise Him (Bulla); Foden’s (Russell Gray): Egmont (Beethoven); Brass Band of Tel. (01536) 722991. TERRY JOHNS. A.R.A.M. Central Florida (Michael Garasi): ‘Tis a Gift (Copland arr. Garasi); Cory (Robert Childs): DEREK M. BROADBENT. Conductor and Adjudicator. Composer/Conductor/Adjudicator Sweet Hour of Prayer (Heaton), Benvenuto Cellini (Berlioz), Four Cities Symphony 17 Corrance Road, Wyke, Nr. Bradford, BD12 9LH Yorks. 203 The Murrays, Edinburgh, EH17 8UN (Newton); Black Dyke (Nicholas Childs): People (Black) (Soloist: Richard Marshall); Tel/Fax. (01274) 670459. E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07777603675 Household Troops Band of The Salvation Army (John Mott): The Redcliffe March (Hollis); MALCOLM BROWNBILL. Band Tutor, Conductor, and SIMON KERWIN. BA (Hons) 07740 583801 Leyland (Russell Gray): Abide With Me (Monk arr. Richards); Grimethorpe (Richard Adjudicator. 49 Pike House Road, Eccleston, St. Helens, Merseyside. WA10 5JZ. Tel. (01744) 28642. website: www.staveslimited.com Evans): The Mask of Zorro (Horner arr. Smith). email: [email protected]. C. BRIAN BUCKLEY. C.Chem., FTCL, LTCL, ALCM, Conductor, Local Radio for next week Adjudicator, Band Teacher. ‘Egmont’, 81 Gabalfa Road, Sketty, NORMAN C. LAW. Conductor, Adjudicator, Band Trainer, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA2 8ND. Tel. (01792) 205896. Private Teacher. Lawholme, 4 Farfield Drive, Hepworth, Sunday, 22 June, 1905-2000. Sounds of Brass. FM frequencies: Bristol Huddersfield, W. Yorks HD7 1TU. 94.9, Cornwall 95.2, Devon 103.4, Gloucestershire 104.7, Guernsey 93.2, BOB CHILDS. DMA, M.Mus(dist), ARCM(hons), FLCM, PGCE, Euphonium Soloist, Conductor, Teacher. 13 Parc Plas, Blackwood, Tel. (01484) 685354. Jersey 88.8, Swindon 103.6, Wiltshire 104.3. Gwent NP12 1SJ. Tel 01495 226106 (home), 07966 263881 Available on the World Wide Web at 1905 British time or at any time for seven days (mobile). [email protected] http://www.bobchilds.co.uk/ ALAN R. LEWIS. B. PHIL. LTCL. Head of Brass, Sedbergh School, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG. after the broadcast. To hear the programme, access www.bbc.co.uk/devon and click ROY W. CURRAN. Conductor, Adjudicator. 6 Mary Street, Burnley, Tel. (015396) 22230 (w), (015396) 20001. onto Listen Live or Listen Again. Lancs. BB10 4AJ. Home: 01282 426203;Mobile: 07973 788812.

DR. KENNETH DOWNIE. BA (Mus) Dunelm. Kantara, STAN LIPPEATT. B.A., L.R.S.M. Conductor, Adjudicator. Phillip Hunt presents a programme of brass band recordings and news. This week’s 8 Downs Road, South Wonston, Winchester. SO21 3EU. 60, Sixth Avenue, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts. NG21 9PW. edition features melodies from the All-England Masters International Concert and Tel. (01962) 883031. Tel (01623) 822672 Mobile 07875 138776 includes: Massed bands of Leyland DAF and Williams Fairey Engineering (Harry JOHN DURRANT. MA. Soloist, Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator. Mortimer): French Military March (Saint-Saëns arr. Hargreaves); National Youth Ground Floor, 2 St. George’s Square, Lytham St. Annes, Lancs. FY8 MAJOR IAN McELLIGOTT. Conductor, Adjudicator, Composer/ 2NG. Tel: 01253 721903. Or 07985 191623 (Mob). Arranger, Brass Teacher. 41 Weaver Moss, Sandhurst, Berks. Brass Band of Great Britain (Roy Newsome): Dancing in the Park (Graham); Foden’s GU47 9BQ. Mobile: 07903 137659 Richardson (Garry Cutt): Soloist’s Showcase (Fernie) (Soloist: Glyn Williams); Lexington HOWARD EVANS. Mus.B (Hons), ARCM (Hons), LRAM, LTCL. 14 Brass (Ron Holz): St. Louis Blues (Handy); Grimethorpe Colliery (Garry Cutt): In Perfect St. Annes Road, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 9LW Tel. (01305) 786114. JOHN MAINES. Conductor, Adjudicator. 46 Hill Crest Road, Email: [email protected] Peace (Downie); Britannia Building Society (Howard Snell): Hailstorm (Rimmer) (Soloist: Offerton, Stockport. SK2 5QL. Tel. 0161 292 9443. Martin Winter); Brighouse and Rastrick (Allan Withington): Pageantry (Howells) MARTYN EVANS. B.Ed. Head of Brass Oldham M.B.C., Teacher, (Mobile) 07901 528059. Website: www.johnmaines.co.uk Conductor, Adjudicator. 44 Holden Clough Drive, Ashton-under- Lyne. OL7 9TH. Tel. 0161 330 4753. (Mobile) 07711 802635. STEVEN MEAD. Euphonium Soloist, Conductor, Adjudicator. Requests and comments are welcome at e-mail: [email protected] 10 Old Forge Road, Fenny Drayton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire J. STUART FAWCETT, OAM, LDBBA. Conductor, Adjudicator. 23A Mill Moor Road, Meltham, Holmfirth, HD9 5JT. Tel: 01484 309500. CV13 6BD. Tel/Fax: (01827) 711964, Mob. 07971 843668, Monday, 23 June 2100-2200. Manx Radio E-mail: [email protected]. Time for Brass. Frequencies 97.2, 89 and 103.7 FM and 1368 AM and ALAN FERNIE. DRSAM, Dip NCOS Craiglea, 48 Mill Street, Selkirk, TD7 5AD. Tel. 01750 725213. (Mob.) 0794 7254961. E-mail: a ALAN MORRISON. FTCL, LRAM. Soloist, Conductor and worldwide on www.manxradio.com [email protected] Adjudicator. 25 Acaster Drive, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2BH. Click on Listen FM or Listen AM for the programme at the time of broadcast or on Listen BRUCE FRASER. Adjudicator, Conductor, Composer. Tel. (0113) 286 3374, Fax. (0113) 287 3947, Mob. 0775 197 Again for a week following transmission. Lomond Music, 32 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Fife. KY15 7PY. 3176. E-mail: [email protected] Ian Cottier presents a programme of brass band music and comment. Tel. (01337) 830974. E-mail: [email protected] website.lineone.net/~alan-morrison

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 3014

BB 14-15.indd 30 17/6/08 18:01:57 CLASSIFIED Diary Dates Adverts BRITISH BandsTHE LEADING INTERNATIONALman BRASS MAGAZINE

CD The leading international brass band magazine Incorporating A list of forthcoming events that have been advertised in British Bandsman. Brass Band News, British Mouthpiece and International MIDLAND CD Bandsman JUNE Managing Director 21 - Northampton. NABBC Conductors’ Competition, rehearsals 1.30pm and performances 6.30pm, Unity College. We hold one of the world’s largest selections of brass & Trevor Caffull 29 - Sedbergh. Masterclass with Steve Sykes (tuba), 2.30pm, URC Church. military band CDs including most BB-reviewed CDs. Finance Director Order on-line at www.ukcd.net Gordon Camsey E-mail: [email protected] JULY Director of Media Tel: 0044 (0) 121 244 4605 or 6 Nicola Bland 4 - Brighouse. James Shepherd Versatile Brass 30-year Reunion Concert. Contact 01484 722855. Fax: 0044 (0) 121 680 9018 Editor 5 - Brighouse. James Madison University Brass Band and Yorkshire Co-op Band. Contact 01484 722855. Kenneth Crookston 5 - Bristol. Black Dyke Band, 7.30pm, Bristol Cathedral. INSURANCE Associate Editor 6 - Brighouse. March and Hymn Contest, 1.00pm. Contact 01484 722855. Professor Philip Wilby 6 - Cardiff. Brass Band Workshop with Cory, 10.00am – 7.30pm, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Brass Band Features Editor 13 - Morley. March and Hymn Contest, Queen Street, Morley. Insurance Services Rodney Newton News Reporter 23 - Eastbourne. South London Fellowship Band with guest soloist, Chris Moyse, 7.45pm, Eastbourne SA. 312 High Street, Harlington, Hayes, Middx. UB3 5BT Tabby Clegg 01422 205231 Tel: 020 8759 0825. Fax: 020 8564 9063. Contributors and consultants AUGUST THE ORIGINAL SCHEME Peter Wilson 3-9 - Swansea. International Brass Band Summer School, University of Wales. OFTEN COPIED—NEVER BETTERED Anthony Banwell 10 - Bromsgrove. Brass Band Summer School, Bromsgrove School. Underwritten by Norwich Union Julian Bright 10 - Sedbergh. Masterclass with Ian Porthouse (cornet), 2.30pm, URC Church. 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BRITISH BandsThe leading internationalman brass magazine BandsThe leading internationalman brass magazine BRITISH BandsIssue no. 5513 – 14 June 2008 the leading internationalman brass magazine Price £1.25 THE LEADING CIRCULATING MAGAZINE IN THE WORLDWIDE BRASS MARKET A man of vision BRITISH BRITISH BRITISH BandsIssue no. 5512 – 7 June 2008 the leading internationalman brass magazine BandsIssue no. 5510 – 24 May 2008 The leading internationalman brass magazine BandsIssue no. 5511 – 31 May 2008 the leading internationalman brass magazine

Price £1.25 Price £1.25 Price £1.25 A YOUNG MAN WITH A BIG FUTURE

Magnifi cent surroundings inspire YYBB In what is undoubtedly one of the highlights in its short history, the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band performed under Dr. Nicholas Childs in the inspiring surroundings of York Minster last Saturday (31 May), in a concert in which the aspirations of the young players were captured in Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s composition, Dreamcatchers. The band’s next major performance will be Desford captures Cambridge crown at the forthcoming Headingley test match in July. (Picture: John Stirzaker) BBC YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR LOOKS AHEAD TO A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT

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