A S E B R S B A T H N D BRIDGE H issue 110 The Official Publication of the North American Brass Band Association august, 2008 Once again, Ronald W. Holz has provided UNDER THE BRIDGE readers of The Brass Band Bridge with a IN THIS ISSUE tremendous number of reviews of new brass band recordings. I’d like to add a hearty, “hear, Douglas Yeo hear” to his enthusiastic recommendation of ATOP THE BRIDGE the new recording of Elgar’s Severn Suite, with From the President, pg. 2 Editor Black Dyke Band, conducted by Sir Colin Davis. This performance is revelatory, and having worked with Sir Colin myself when he RECORDING OF THE his issue of The Brass Band Bridge fea- has guest conducted the Boston Symphony YEAR CONTEST tures reports from several recent brass (including memorable performances of Elgar’s pg. 3 band festivals which were sponsored, in Enigma Variations and The Dream of Gerontius), Tpart, by NABBA. The Great American Brass I can very well imagine how the Black Dyke Band Festival is the premier brass band festival players felt when sitting under the leading NEWS FROM NABBA in the USA and it always features performances interprer of Elgar in our time. The recording BANDS by at least one of NABBA’s most distinguished is truly stupendous. Ron’s reviews are also a bands. The Fifth Toronto Festival of Brass fea- reminder to all NABBA member bands to get pg. 5 tured world premiere performances, and several in their entries for NABBA’s “Recording of the youth bands. This year will be remembered Year” contest; an entry form is found in this is- NABBA BAND CONCERT as the one when weather made a tremendous sue of The Bridge. Also, if you have not already PROGRAMS impact on several festivals. The Ohio Brass Arts done so, please place your order for record- Festival fell victim to a tremendous blizzard ings of the performances of NABBA bands at pg. 9 that resulted it in being rescheduled from the our recently concluded 2008 NABBA XXVI winter to June. Iowa’s Grand Celebration of Championships. If our 2009 Championships BRASS BAND FESTIVAL Brass Bands had to be cancelled due to histori- are to be recorded, it is important that the cal flood levels that caused tremendous damage recording company feel they can recoup their REPORTS and loss of property. Our hearts go out in investment; your purchase of NABBA Champi- pg. 13 particular to the Eastern Iowa Brass Band and onships CDs will help ensure our Champion- their members as they continue to cope with ships are recorded in the future. the after-effects of the flooding. COMPACT DISC REVIEWS Finally, I’d like to remind all NABBA member Ronald Holz, editor, pg. 21 As President Rusty Morris mentions in his bands to send in your news, photographs and column, the NABBA Board of Directors is concert programs for publication in The Bridge. meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina in Septem- This publication enjoys a wide international BOOK REVIEW ber. Look for a great deal of information in the readership of over 8000 readers per issue. The by Douglas Yeo, pg. 29 October 15 issue of The Bridge as test pieces for Bridge is the best way for your band to get out the 2009 NABBA XXVII Championships will your message of your activities. The concert be announced along with other information programs section allows our member bands to NABBA XXVII CHAMPION- about contest rules and procedures. It is not see what other bands are playing and as a result, SHIPS INFORMATION too early to make your hotel and travel plans many bands have broadened their repertoire. for the 2009 NABBA XXVII Championships, Your photos add measurably to the readibility pg. 33 which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky. As of The Bridge, so please send them on for our our bands know from past experience, Louis- mutual enjoyment. See page 34 for informa- EXIT RAMP ville is a busy place for conventions and confer- tion on how to submit materials for publica- ences, and hotel rooms can be hard to find at tion in The Brass Band Bridge. J Contribute to the Bridge, the last minute. Visit nabba.org for up-to-date Credits, pg. 34 information about hotel availability and other information about the upcoming Champion- ships. the brass band bridge, issue 110 1 ® the official publication of nabba august, 2008 banding. rooms while they are still available. With most, ATOP THE BRIDGE if not all of the events taking place next door While the summer has been a bit slow for the in the Brown Theater and Brown Hotel, you NABBA Board, we have had business to tend will want to be sure and be in the middle of to. The most recent election has added six new the activities. The dates for 2009 are April 3rd Russell Morris Directors to the Board. From Atlantic Brass and 4th. Don’t be left out! The next issue of Band, Mr. Arthur Henry joins the Board. We The Bridge will include test pieces and infor- NABBA President have three new Directors from Fountain City mation concerning the 2009 Championships. Brass Band, Ms. Helen Tyler, Mr. Lee Har- Deadlines will be included for the submission relson, and Mr. Tom Stein. Finally, from the of contest related materials as well as news from Natural State Brass Band, Mr. Rico Belotti and the September Board meeting. For many NABBA members, summer is the Mr. Frank Washburn join the Board as Direc- time to get away from banding for a bit of tors. These new Directors bring to the Board As you all know, Douglas Yeo has recently time. The kids are out of school, vacations to a very wide range of expertise and experiences retired as Music Director of the New England be taken, batteries need to be recharged: these and I am excited to have them aboard. Brass Band. After 10 years in that position, it are all very good reasons for bands to shut was not an easy decision for him to make, but, down for a period of time. We are not profes- You can go to our website, www.nabba.org, as Doug would say, it was the right decision sional groups; we don’t make our livings at this, click on the tab, “the Board,” and see a listing at the right time. Doug has worked tirelessly so it only makes sense through the NEBB and that we periodically through the NABBA Board need a little time to help promote brass away. But, what do banding in North Amer- we do on band night ica. We are all better off when there is no because of his efforts. The rehearsal? Anywhere NEBB will continue on in from 9 – 12 months very good hands, under the out of the year, one leadership of Stephen Bulla (or more) nights a and Doug will continue week is dedicated to his work on the Board and the band. This is a doing clinics with bands big commitment and around the world, promot- for most, very little ing NABBA and its goals. comes in the way of “band night.” Our One final thought. Our families are used to thoughts and prayers us being gone on that continue to go out to our particular night, so banding family in Iowa. they don’t know what While the flood waters to do either. may have receded by now, all were affected either Here in Little Rock, directly or indirectly by we have just finished NABBA President Russell Morris (center) with two new members of the NABBA Board of Directors, incredible amounts of water a three week break. Frank Washburn (left) and Rico Belloti. this spring. It will be some Not a lot of time off, time before things get back but enough to get me fired up again about of all current Board members, complete with to normal. They need to know that we all playing and about our fellowship. During contact information. We are currently planning are thinking about them and hope that a full the time off, I have done nothing exciting for our interim meeting to be held in Septem- recovery is made soon. or out of the ordinary, and that is why it has ber. If you have any items that you would like Until October, Happy Banding! J been so good. I have been able to catch up on to have included on the agenda for discussion, “honey-do’s” around the house, catch up on send a message to me or any of the Board NABBA related items, go to the gym, play members. I will be sure to include it on the with my dogs, and spend more time with my agenda. Our purpose is to serve the member- bride. While I have enjoyed the time off, I am ship and continue moving NABBA forward. very excited to get going again. I hope that any time you have had off has been productive It is not too early to begin making plans for the and prepared you for the upcoming months of 2009 Championships. The Brown Hotel is the president @ nabba . org host hotel for the NABBA XXVII. Get your www.nabba.org the brass band bridge, issue 110 2 the official publication of nabba august, 2008 NABBA RECORDING OF THE YEAR CONTEST recording and the year of the announcement of Entry Fee A CONTEST OPEN the winner. All guest soloists (non-roster play- ers) must clearly be identified.