www.britishbandsman.com

Issue no. 5589 – 28 November 2009

Bramwell Tovey a true maestro

Price £1.25 Foden’s and Les Neish recordings honoured in BB’s annual awards

BB 1.indd 1 25-11-2009 12:45:30 "   " " !" ""  ""
" " 

"
" 
" " 
"" 
"       "
"" "      
               

)!$!
)!#)"!) & !) ) &)!))" 
))$!)!)$& 
! ')  ) !"
)&"))%))")! ) ))) )&  "!)!)! )$) # )!)))!)  !)!))))#)   ! ")   ) !)) !
)!)$)) !)  () & !) )" #)  !)" )!)&" ")!) ) ) )&) 

BB 2-3.indd 2 25-11-2009 12:38:51 NEWS ABBA re-opens ‘Meadgate’ debate Spring Festival to continue at

Having apparently closed the door on any future meetings over the matter Blackpool despite sponsorship loss (as reported in BB 5586), the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA) In announcing the test-pieces for the 2010 Spring Festival, to be held at has re-ignited the recent debate over standards in adjudication with an Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on 15 May, the organisers, Martin and Karyn attack on Steven Mead. In a press release entitled ‘Mythical Meetings’, Mortimer, advised of the withdrawal of sponsorship from Leisure Parcs, ABBA Secretary, C. Brian Buckley begins: ‘As Secretary of ABBA, I am at a which has supported the event since it moved to the Lancashire town. It loss to understand why Steven Mead continues to assert that a meeting is understood that this was a result of the loss of grants from Blackpool had been agreed between himself and ABBA. As far as I am aware, I am the City Council to Leisure Parcs and the Winter Gardens. only member of the Executive Committee that has been in direct contact Speaking to BB, Martin Mortimer commented: “The loss of sponsorship with Steven Mead since he published his untimely and largely rhetorical produces a shortfall of around £12,000 in terms of the cost of the running comments in the article (subsequently and rapidly amended by him) that of the three contests and the hire of the halls. However, this will be appeared on his personal website following the conclusion of the British met by the combination of additional capital from the British Open, Open event at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in September 2009.’ a reduction in running costs and an increase in the entry fees for the The statement continues: ‘This article was obviously influenced by Steven’s competing bands.” intense disappointment at the placing of the band he had prepared for, Martin Mortimer added: “Obviously we are disappointed that Leisure and directed at, this event. Given the nature of the content of his article, I Parcs has withdrawn its support at this late stage, but we thank the telephoned Steven late on Sunday morning, the day after the British Open. Company for its vital sponsorship over many years at Blackpool. We He expressed discomfort about the possibility of meeting the Executive strongly believe that, having spent a number of years building the Spring Committee of ABBA, indicating that he would only want to meet the Festival into a serious contest, it has encouraged strong interest from Chairperson of ABBA, a surprising disclosure given the original text of his the competing bands, as well as achieving a high standard of music. The article. Since he was busy preparing to leave the UK later that afternoon to competition must continue and we have managed to achieve this by, fulfill a series of overseas engagements and would not be returning to the in effect, acting as our own sponsors and asking for the support of the UK for several weeks, it was left with Steven to contact me on his return. bands. The Spring Festival is not a profit-making event, but we run this We could then discuss the possibility of arranging a meeting between for the bands and to provide a strong qualifying platform for the British himself and ABBA should this be considered a productive step forward!’ Open Championship. We have decided to keep the contest at the Winter Brian Buckley further contends: ‘To date, Steven has not contacted me Gardens, with its three halls, cafes and bars enabling this to be a sociable neither by mobile or fixed telephone, e-mail or “snail-mail”. So I find event at which supporters and bands can listen to the music and meet it quite remarkable that such a busy and obviously well-organised with friends and family. We thank the bands for their continued support professional person publicly contends that he has written to ABBA twice and look forward to seeing them in Blackpool.” without reply. Following our September Sunday morning telephone The test-pieces for this year’s qualifying contests are: discussion, I was expecting him to make contact. This has not happened. Grand Shield: Rococo Variations (Edward Gregson) Likewise, I have not been made aware of any other ABBA member Senior Cup: The Year of the Dragon (Philip Sparke) having had contact with Steven on this matter. Without having made Senior Trophy: Le Roi d’Ys (Lalo arr. Frank Wright) arrangements for such a meeting to take place, it is inconceivable that (according to his most recent commentary on this matter, as published on his website) he has “prepared copious information comparing a range of adjudicating systems from many different spheres of music contests,” - all this in preparation for a mythical meeting between himself and ABBA that could not take place until he had contacted ABBA. He also highlights that he has prepared “considerable analytical data from systems used for marching bands, ice skating and gymnastic events.” Perhaps these assessments are more appropriate for application to visual, rather than aurally assessed competitions. Disappointingly, much of Steven’s recently published comments are again largely rhetoric in style, being short on factual statements, but littered with rather imaginative phrases. The role of ABBA is not to address changes that Steven contends are “needed with regard to the current set up of the brass band movement’s contests,” but merely to address the adjudication process - in January 2003 ABBA carried out an exercise on criteria based marking at its Annual CPD session. It would be helpful if Steven could let ABBA have sight of his evidence that supports his contention that the adjudication process can be improved to benefit all participants and those who administer and officiate at competitive events. It would also be a constructive initiative if Steven could obtain permission from “the leading lights in the brass band world” who have provided him with “some quite superb systems,” to release their identity to ABBA so that discussions leading to meaningful conclusion can then ensue. Not surprisingly, ABBA is wary of creating an illusion of progress, but are committed to making genuine progress.’ Speaking to BB in response, Steven Mead stated: “I did write to ABBA by email on 15 September and again ten days later after receiving no reply. I also agreed that I would attend a meeting with ABBA and 7 October was initially put aside for this, although I explained that I would prefer to speak with ABBA’s Chairman, Derek Broadbent beforehand.” He added: “As I had no reply to my emails, I presumed they had changed their mind, but I carried on collating information in respect to my concerns as I clearly stated I would.”

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 3

BB 2-3.indd 3 25-11-2009 12:38:52
     

       4! -/("   '   %      '             5  )  %                         %    #                 ( )     6  6        7 " 6               6       089            6   .            6  :6               % %# !    6             -/("          . #           !    % %%   %)   
    6   %    "  %     ! "  #           #       ; <    !      =>     '     (            -  ? #    % %      "          '    (   =) '  $% &     '  )%      (   !   @ 6  
                #      %  #      %         %   =>    $%     6 A 6   6   #B           !    

8FG#  ) ) ." )         )  8F1#     /    

 
    
      
   ! ( % 8,,1       "  5         
 
            '    :          %  %     !"           ' ' . 6    %  H         -' / . (  "   

'#(   ! &  #$ %  ! " 

  )    ! ( )    <   
  @      -' / .# !     D 
                      # !       %)  :%     6      )  #        "     #    $ 

  &   '"  '        (!  C@    )%  # "%    (   ' 

  ( #  . (   -  ".)  *    # !  ) #  6   ' $ D )     # "    (   5    E        )   ) (   >           '       (     @    $+! # @ .  #
"< '   "  , -" (" &  #           %     -' / . /  "     %    %   % 03
3,  ( )       -' / . ) # ?     %  ) )   %      6  6        I  ' . % 
         6  %     % 6   # @ 6       %    6            ' 6            # @ 6  %     %    %     
     #     6     ( )               6      6     )    %    %  6 #

   ! ( )     (  *  %  #
       ++,  - .    - . -/ 0,11+
0231      #$ % &'
( $  #$ % &'
(      #$ % &' ((    )*  + *, -.    
 !"

BB 4-5.indd 4 25-11-2009 12:39:40 NEWS Parliamentary Group reports parity for brass bands Westoe victory at Peterlee Members of the British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) Executive Committee who attended the recent meeting of the All-Party Brass Band The Durham County Brass Band 5. Marske (A. Prest) 181 Group at the House of Commons were delighted to hear that, during the Association Contest took place at Best Middle of the Band: Murton past 18 months, bands have become increasingly successful in applying East Durham College in Peterlee Best Percussion: North Skelton for grants from Arts Council England (ACE) and that bands are now just as last weekend, with Chris Wormald Best Solo Cornet: Wansbeck’s successful as other art forms with their funding applications. sitting in judgement of the large Ashington In his address to the Group, Alan Davey, Chief Executive Officer of Arts entry of bands. Council England, explained that the bulk of Arts Council funding went to The results were: Section C Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs) and that, although there were none Section A Test-piece: Music For A Festival (Philip at present, bands could consider this funding route and should not delay in Test-piece: Ballet For Band (Joseph Sparke) registering an interest if they wish to be considered for ACE’s 2011/12 RFO Horovitz) 1. Wetherby Silver (A. Seymour) 184 awards. 1. Westoe (J. Smith) 189 2. Ferryhill Town (S. Norris) 181 ACE also stressed the need for the community brass band sector to be 2. GT Group Peterlee (S. Malcolm) 187 3. Dunston Silver (S. Murrill) 179 vibrant, and urged more brass bands to make applications for grants, a 3. Cockerton Silver (G. Nicklin) 185 4. Backworth Colliery (T. Griffiths) 178 spokesperson commenting: “Bands should contact their regional music Best Soprano Cornet: Westoe Best Euphonium: Wetherby officers for assistance, as they must clearly demonstrate that they can Best Percussion Section: GT Group Best Principal Cornet: Wetherby make a real difference, not just for themselves but for their audiences and Peterlee Best Trombones: Wetherby communities too.” Best Trombone Section: GT Group Best Bass Section: Ferryhill Andy Carver, Executive Director, Arts Council England, Yorkshire, told Peterlee the group about a successful pilot project recently run by the BFBB and Section D Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to link community brass bands with Section B Test-piece: Lydian Pictures (Simon their local authority and remarked that these, and projects like these, would Test-piece: Suite Gothique Dobson) help the community brass bands sector to thrive. (L. Boellman arr. E. Ball) 1. Stanhope Silver (S. Robson) 176 The RFO guidance document and further information about other ACE 1. Wansbeck’s Ashington 2. Trimdon Concert (P. Ash) 174 grants, including the ‘Take it Away’ scheme, which provides individuals (N. Stedman) 187 3. Spennymoor Town with assistance to buy new instruments, can be found at 2. North Skelton (T. Oldroyd) 186 (J. Davidson) 171 www.artscouncil.org.uk 3. Murton Colliery (D. Noble) 185 4. Craghead Colliery (J. Robson) 174 The All-Party Brass Band Group is chaired by Jeff Ennis MP and supported 4. Billingham Silver (V. Evans) 182 Best Principal Cornet: Stanhope Silver by the BFBB. The next meeting, is scheduled for February or March 2010. Has your band won? Let us know at [email protected]

Tenor Horn Trumpet bags bags from £39.95 from £14.95

Baritone bags Cornet bags Youth Brass 2000 success story continues from £49.95 from £14.95 Fresh from its outstanding performances during the Brass in Concert Festival, Youth Brass 2000, conducted by Chris Jeans, won the 13th Tameside Youth Brass Festival at Dukinfield Town Hall last Sunday (22nd). Performing fifth out of the seven competing bands, the band’s programme opened with Duke Ellington’s Caravan, before principal euphonium, Sarah    Lenton, gave a tasteful rendition of Carrickfergus. Following an energetic   Valero, the bands xylophonist, Chris Brice, played Monti’s Czardas, the  programme closing with Cossack Wedding Dance from Call of the Cossacks.


Adjudicator Jason Katsikaris praised the bands for their efforts, although he

 did admit that it was a close-run affair in the end. 
 
  The results were: 


 
1. Youth Brass 2000 (C. Jeans) 191 2. Bare Trees Community (J. Collins) 190 3. Poynton Youth (A. Hirst) 186 4. Dobcross Youth (J. Garlick) 185 Best Cornet: Michael Miller, soprano, Poynton Youth Best Basses: Bare Trees Community Double Trumpet bags from £39.95 Best Percussionist: Chris Brice, xylophone, Youth Brass 2000 Triple Trumpet Trombone bags bags from £49.95 from £24.95 Best Horn/Flugel: Dobcross Youth First Brass Ltd Best Trombone: Becky Maglone, Youth Brass 2000 Unit WS1, Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6AQ Best Euphonium: Sarah Lenton, Youth Brass 2000 Tel: 0845 170 1124 Fax: 01604 497501 Email: [email protected] Youngest Player: Emily Collins, 9, Bare Trees Community www.gigbagsgalore.com

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 5

BB 4-5.indd 5 25-11-2009 12:39:50 Join us for the 7th Butlins National Mineworkers

Book now *ÀˆVià Open Brass Band Festival and save up to from only at Butlins Skegness on Friday 22 January 2010 for a 20% £60* 3 night break with over 100 competing bands was £75

Saturday 23 January All 5 sections playing set test pieces Sunday 24 January Championship Entertainment Competition hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Frank Renton

Plus live performances from: -«>à Ê7>ÌiÀܜÀ` Silver Apartment UÊ/ iÊ7œÀ`Ê>“œÕÃÊ>ˆÀiÞÊ >˜`Ê UÊ,i`LÀˆ`}iÊ À>ÃÃÊ­Óää™Ê Õ̏ˆ˜ÃÊ >“«ˆœ˜Ã®Ê UÊ/ iÊ ÀˆÌˆÃ Ê* ˆ >À“œ˜ˆVÊ ˆ}Ê >˜`Ê All this from just £60* pp plus, full use of the Butlins facilities is included in the price. Plus there’s FREE places for Groups of 20+ guests** Choose from self-catering or dinner, bed and breakfast options for a break that suits you. Evening Entertainment Spa 38355 0809

Quote 0845 070 4750 ) BBON9) butlins.com/brassband Open 7 days a week, Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm

*Price is per person, per break and includes VAT based on 4 people sharing a Silver self-catering accommodation on the break shown. ** Groups enjoy best offers + one free place for every 20 paying guests. All offers are subject to promotional availability, can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer, except Premier Club (excludes half price breaks). Entertainment is subject to change without notice. For full terms and conditions see the current Butlins brochure. The maximum call charge is 2p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary. Butlins Skyline Limited Registered in England No 04011665. 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 6

BB 6-7.indd 6 25-11-2009 12:40:56 MAILBOX HAVE YOUR SAY

A BB record breaker? Insurance query answered I was given a year’s subscription to British Bandsman as an 18th birthday Perhaps I might be allowed to comment upon Mr, Colman’s letter (BB present on 29 October 1954. I have kept it up throughout and have now 5585). Both Musicians Insurance Services (MIS), the firm that came to reached my 73rd birthday. Can any reader possibly beat this? Mr Colman’s rescue, and Brass Band Insurance Services (BBIS), regular Fred Ingram advertisers in this newspaper, are firms within the Bryan James & Co Shrewsbury group. Mr. Colman is right to raise concerns about the need for any band, or Support for The Torchbearer indeed any volunteer organisation, to have adequate public liability While agreeing with most comments made by Tom Stone (BB 5584) insurance and, for this reason, all ‘all risks’ policies recommended by both concerning the National Final, I must differ with his view of the test-piece. MIS and BBIS include the option to include full public liability cover at As I am recovering from heart surgery, I had not intended being present a nominal cost or even no additional cost at all. The cover protects the this year, but could not resist the combination of Eric Ball and Peter band and its committee members while performing the normal functions Graham. I was not disappointed. of the band, rehearsals, concerts, attendance at contests etc. Indeed, Mr. Stone is the only voice of dissent encountered, and I included However, if a band steps outside what could be termed ‘the normal views expressed by respected senior bandspeople. Having had the activities of a band,’ for example, arranges the local choir festival or stages honour of meeting Mr. Ball on several occasions, I’m sure he would have the village pantomime, then clearly the band’s insurance underwriters approved of this piece, especially as it was scored by Peter Graham. need to be advised. Having a stall at a car boot sale to raise funds for the Brian A. Page band, for example, is quite different to staging a car boot sale designed to Bournemouth attract hundreds of cars and providing trading space for countless other fund raisers. In such cases, an additional premium or even a separate Call for freedom of speech policy may be required, and, here again, help and free advice is to hand. I refer to the article in issue 5586 in which the members of the Association Musicians Insurance Services has a team of experts based at its Matlock of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA) have decided in their wisdom to office able to advise and assist. They can also offer this service to other close the door on Steven Mead, whose only crime would appear to be insurance advisers. exercising his right to freedom of speech. It really is ironic that, on the John Beeston weekend that we remembered the victims of two world wars, who died Managing Director, so as to ensure freedom of speech, ABBA decided that it should not be Bryan James & Co Ltd. allowed in the case of Steven Mead. As long as his comments were not libellous (and there is no suggestion that they were), he has every right to Apathy explained criticise and outlay what he sees as fit. Current day bandsmen don’t appear to have responded to the charge The ABBA members should come down out of their ‘ivory tower’, get that they spend their contesting days in the adjoining bar rather than into the real world and accept that criticism is one of the ingredients that listening to performances of other bands. Taking part in major contests make honorary committee positions a bed of nails. generally means extra practises and early rising on the contest day G. Moses morning and, by the time the players have completed their performance, Leeds they are more often than not ready for some means of relaxing, hence their trip to the bar. Getting into top gear In days gone by, bandsmen had to purchase tickets to become members In 2002, I needed to change my car from a Ford Escort Estate, which of the audience at National Championship Finals and there were only six comfortably accommodated my Sovereign BBb bass in a hard case tickets allocated to each band. The habit of this practice in those days behind the rear seats. Struggling to find an alternative, I wrote to British probably contributes to this current trend. Bandsman to ask other BBb bass players which cars they used to transport Grainger Rock their instruments. I had some very useful replies. Address supplied I actually bought a Ford Focus estate at the time and I have transported both BBb and EEb basses, end-to-end in the boot, quite happily. Now the Pemberton memories time for change is here, I was surprised to find that the BBb tuba will not I was very interested in your article about the Pemberton Old Band in BB fit into the latest Focus estate’s boot! Can I, once again, please ask other 5582. I remember hearing the band in Stanley Park Bandstand, Blackpool BBb bass players what they drive, bearing in mind that I want to carry four about 1952-53 when I was eight or nine! It opened its concert with the or five passengers as well as the instrument and my garage requires the Galop from William Tell, which was very polished, as I remember. I can smallest car capable of doing this? also recollect the band’s uniform, which was a military-style navy blue Many thanks for your help. tunic with a cord that went through the epaulet; I also remember that it Ken Matthews played brass lacquered instruments. This was one of a handful of bands [email protected] I heard in Stanley Park in the early 1950s. Others were the Preston Town Silver, Blackpool Silver Prize and Blackpool Joy Youth Band. It is too bad that brass bands are no longer featured in this historic bandstand. It’s funny what you can still remember from your childhood,when you are sitting on the other side of the globe in a completely different environment! Peter Whitehead USA

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 7

BB 6-7.indd 7 25-11-2009 12:40:57 PRODUCT NEWS :meVcYndjg8]g^hibVhgZeZgid^gZl^i]G#Hb^i] by John Ward

With the Christmas concert season just around the Ivy, Coventry Carol and snippets of The First immediately familiar, this work has a genuine the corner, there is still time to add further titles Nowell. This is music of real elegance and may festive feel, complete with bell effects and a to your Yuletide collection of music. BB has not be suited to an informal Christmas concert genuinely optimistic and joyful atmosphere. looked at a number of Christmas titles in recent or function, but would really add a touch of a Very much the Christmas toe-tapper! months and completes its round-up with a class to any formal concert situation or carol The world of SA music was shocked on summary of six works from the R. Smith and Co. service. Another work of real quality is The Christmas Eve in 1984 when the death of Major catalogue. Festive Season by Morley Calvert, the composer Leslie Condon was announced, the major who was commissioned to provide the set work having suffered a heart attack while Christmas Martyn Thomas is a composer and arranger at the first European Championships in 1978. carolling in Croydon. He left a wealth of revered based on the south coast of England, who This piece is in three separate movements: and much-loved music for brass band and choir, has had a number of works published by The the first is a lilting 6/8 passage using the tune often of real depth and meaning. His quirky Salvation Army and Lake Music. His Comfort Christ was Born on Christmas Day, the second arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Joy first appeared in the mid-90s and has is an exquisite treatment of The Holly and the perhaps does not come into the latter category, enjoyed increasing popularity. This is an upbeat Ivy, and the third, a joyous skip through Good but bears all the hallmarks of Condon’s unique arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen King Wenceslas, complete with fragments and skilful compositional techniques. This is a with a driving rock rhythm provided by drum of Joy to the World, Jingle Bells and Deck the relatively short work, but it contains much for kit. Full of jazz-inflected harmonies, the music Halls. This writer also suggests that the last audience to joy and performers to discover: one gives opportunity to various soloists within the movement could even be used in isolation as a that bands should seek out. band to enjoy themselves, including cornet, short and happy number to add to a Christmas The final work we look at is Ray Steadman- trombone, euphonium and a four-bar kit solo programme. Allen’s arrangement of Berlioz’s Shepherd’s where an ad lib approach would be encouraged. Farewell. This is an uncomplicated transcription This will surely become a real hit with Christmas Another bright and happy work is Norman of this famous melody but has all the expert audiences! Bearcroft’s Joyous Carillon. Based on a song for scoring and care we have come to expert from A Carol Fantasy is a beautifully crafted suite of SA songsters (choir), this is written as a double Dr. Steadman-Allen. Christmas melodies by Eric Ball and this work trio for cornet and trombones. Although not For more details, contact the R. Smith office on features the Normandy Carol, The Holly and a tune with which the general public will be 01933 445440.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 8

BB 8-9.indd 8 25-11-2009 12:45:07 PRODUCT NEWS Major coup for Buffet Crampon as RSNO trombones opt for Courtois

French-based manufacturer, Buffet Crampon, is celebrating the success of its Courtois brand, which recently made history in the orchestral world when the three members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) trombone section took delivery of their new instruments. This is believed to be the first time that an entire trombone section in a major UK professional orchestra has opted for the same brand of instruments, and Buffet’s delighted UK representative, Tim Barrett, commented to BB: “Our new Courtois AC440 model has been developed specifically for a school of player looking for a traditional American sound, but it offers many of the characteristics of the favourite models of many of our own leading professionals,” adding, “It was developed by Dudley Bright, principal trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra, along with Werner Duwe and our technical team at Amboise in France, and the darker sound that has been achieved harks back to bygone years - something that has been very important to the RSNO’s excellent team of players, who were very keen to try the new instruments when they heard about them.” Prior to the RSNO’s performance at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall last Friday (20th), BB met Dávur Juul Magnussen (principal since 2008), Alastair Sinclair (principal bass trombone for 15 years) and Lance Green (associate principal and RSNO member for 26 years), the latter enthusing: “It was during a chance meeting with Tim Barrett that I told him we were interested in changing instruments as a section, and he told me that Courtois had just completed the design of an instrument that would meet our needs. After I tried it, I then had to convince Dávur and Alastair to do the same, but they were similarly impressed. Since we started using the new models in early October, we have been delighted; the slides are brilliant and the whole finish sums up the absolute top quality that Courtois has produced, but the great thing from the section’s point of view is that it is a homogenous set - they all sound the same and are a joy to play.” Dávur Juul Magnussen commented: “The AC440 is an outstanding instrument, which produces a full, rich and dark sound that mixes perfectly with the rest of the orchestra,” while Alastair Sinclair added: “The bass trombone has always provided the biggest obstacle in terms of sound-blending in a section, but any issues regarding this have been overcome by Courtois, and even our principal conductor has commented positively on the difference.” The new Courtois AC440 trombones are available in red and yellow brass bell, while the AC550 bass trombone is available in gold or yellow brass. See advertisement for details.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 9

BB 8-9.indd 9 25-11-2009 12:45:13 FEATURE Sounding brass and voices… some golden opportunities by Professor Philip Wilby

On several levels, the combination of voices choirs. There are problems of confidence for and brass instruments seems to be a match the choral conductors, and we hope that this made in heaven. In terms of our native music- opportunity will encourage some of them to making, it combines two of the great British approach bands in their local communities. For amateur traditions and has attracted the myself, I have often used a sole trumpeter in the combined ambitions of performers, composers past to enhance a choral piece or hymn with a and arrangers over many years. It is no surprise descant line. Simple stuff, I know, but a bit like that this combination of epic musical forces dipping the little toe in the waters of the brass has become a passion of mine, and I have been band world! pleased to find that my continuing interest has As a secondary school music teacher been shared by some of the movement’s most working in Yorkshire, I watched in awe at the Wright’s mighty arrangement of Messiah, or visionary writers. accomplishment of the brass teacher as he got Gilbert Vinter’s masterpiece, The Trumpets, Interestingly enough, the two traditions spring a wonderful ensemble from the school band. spring to mind as ground-breaking attempts from a similar period. The famous Cyfartha One week, because of illness, I had to take a to write a truly definitive piece, and interested Band, formed in South Wales in 1838, probably rehearsal and found I rather enjoyed it, despite parties will be pleased to hear that classic provides us with the earliest of all band not having all the technical knowledge. Usually, recordings of both these pieces have appeared photographs. The earliest choral society in the I have played it safe, with a brass quintet or our over recent years. Knowing of his interest in country was formed in Halifax in 1817. These excellent SA band at Christmas. I am hopeful the field, and the seminal list of available scores shared roots grew out of a post-Napoleon that the chance for us all to ‘have a go’ at contained in his recent book, The Modern Brass moment in European history, and would conducting the Flowers Band workshop will Band, I spoke with Roy Newsome about the seem, at first sight, to have much in common. build some musical bridges. whole set of musical aspirations surrounding Nevertheless, serious music for large choir with John Maines enjoys huge experience and oratorio performances with brass band. In brass band remains a rarity, and I decided to respect, and I asked him for his memories of particular I wanted to know how his own look a little further into the history of this grand combining bands and choirs. He replied: “When arrangement of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana had combination and try to form an informed guess I first started in top bands, around 1962 or fared with concert promoters. Dr. Newsome at its future. ‘63, the combination of brass and voices was responded: “My transcription has been a major Major John Martin is an old friend and Salvation quite a regular feature. Choral Societies such undertaking. As you’ll know, the original is Army songster leader, currently serving with as Huddersfield, Halifax, Bradford, and quite a scored for orchestra and two pianos, as well the London Central DHQ. He pointed out that lot of the Co-operative societies all used the as choirs and the vocal soloists. The Newsome whilst SA singers and bands did combine, he local top bands. Of course, it was light concert version was first performed in Austria, with also felt that there was an inherent balance repertoire, such as The Lost Chord, The Soldier’s normal brass band (but with two sopranos problem between the two groups. As singers Chorus, The Holy City and so on. When I played and five percussion), two pianos, a marvellous produce more tone, that relationship between with Fairey, we became part of Harry Mortimer’s array of soloists and the very splendid Czech vowels and consonants, so important to the Men of Brass, and he was a great believer in Philharmonic Choir of Brno - which has actually projection of a meaningful text, can be lost and choirs and bands. Strangely, there is more performed in our BBC Proms. the message impaired. music available now, and it was always thought “It is scored in such a way that piano parts are The Royal School of Church Music is an that you would have twice as many people cued and so, even, are the vocal parts. It could, international organisation that represents the selling tickets, and that the choir and the band therefore, theoretically be played by band interests of a large membership of church would bring their own audiences. Arrangers alone - though it would need to be a pretty choirs. Local chairman, Andrew Kirk, is organist like Gordon Langford and Goff Richards have good one. I suppose that, in the same way and master of the choristers at the impressive made a huge impact, especially with Goff’s that Denis Wright hoped that the many choral church of St. Mary, Redcliffe, in Bristol, and will publication of Christmas music. The tradition societies that were performing Messiah in the be hosting an ambitious workshop combining has now become a ‘Radio 2-style’ concert of 1940s would engage a local brass band rather his own choral resources with Flowers Band in popular classics for choir and band.” than an orchestra, I hoped when undertaking the spring. However, there have been significant efforts the immense task, that early 21st century Our ‘Big Sing’ project is aimed at breaking down made in the past to provide the sort of bigger choral societies would do likewise. Realistically, some of the barriers between bands and church pieces enjoyed by symphony orchestras. Denis I suppose that will never happen, but I’m

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 10

BB 10-11.indd 10 25-11-2009 12:41:58 FEATURE

having spent five years at the Associated Board, and now working for the British Flute Society. They summed up the opinions of many: “The whole day has produced such great music making. As to balance, we certainly don’t feel overwhelmed. Keep it coming! Let’s hope this is the beginning of something great.”

Christopher Lean, the choir’s General Manager, offered a similar assessment, but with an eye to the broader realities: “We are delighted to put these two groups together, and it is a great pity that it has taken 50-odd years to assemble. Needless to say, I would like to arrange a live performance, preferably in a big venue where we can sell enough tickets to make it a financial success. This is always a problem with promoting concerts, particularly in London. Typically, for one rehearsal on the day, a London orchestra will cost us £13,500 and a prior rehearsal will add £6,000 or £7,000. As to venues, the Royal Festival Hall will routinely cost delighted that next March, it will be performed “It’s not only a question of repertoire, and also us £6,500 plus a commission on ticket sales. In by Bolton Choral Union, along with Blackburn of weight of sound. Were we to be honest, and addition, there is the hire of a function room, Choral Society and Blackburn and Darwen were performing this piece in this hall with an commission to programme sellers and so on. Brass Band. For me, this will be a landmark audience, it might be difficult to pick up every Other venues are more expensive; the Royal performance, as it will indicate that you don’t choral detail, but the Bach Choir can field a lot Albert Hall might cost us £10,000, whereas need to have the most expensive groups to of singers, 120 today, but easily double that Westminster Cathedral is perhaps the most perform it.” when required. We just need the right venue.” expensive in London. Richard Scott was the sound engineer on the “The best paying avenue for the choir is film At this point, I must confess to a degree of self- project, and I asked him about the recurrent work. We have sung on the Narnia films and interest surrounding my researches. Sunday balance issues. He offered: “The main problem on Shrek Three, and this can make significant 1 November 2009 was a red-letter day for is always being able to hear the choir clearly inroads into our deficit if we get regular work me, since it saw my own new composition above the band. You need separation, so from Disney or 20th Century Fox. Apart from coming to life for the first time in its brass band that you don’t hear the band on the choir that, it is donations, legacies, and general fund- version. My Brontë Mass was first performed microphones. We have separated the choir from raising. Great ideas like this are marvellous, and by its dedicatees, Leeds Philharmonic Choir the instruments by using the stage, and side there is clearly a huge degree of mutual respect and Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Two curtains. Then it’s a compromise; the choristers today.” years later, almost to the day, it was recorded need to be able to hear the band cues clearly, by the London Bach Choir, which was singing but if we go too close, we will get too many Without a doubt, brass bands can offer the for the first time with a brass band. David Hill unblended individuals.” choral groups a very attractive alternative to a conducted and the band parts were handled Over lunch, the band and the choristers were professional orchestra. For anyone wishing to with consummate ease by Black Dyke. It was clearly delighted to work together. Tim Lewis pursue the idea of combining choirs and bands a meeting of titans, and the choir and band offered this observation: “This is my first on a local level, it is clear from the London loved working together. David Hill, who is also experience of singing with a band. I’ve heard it sessions that there is a great deal of mutual the conductor of the BBC Singers and appears my whole life, but to have it playing in front of interest, and a groundswell of goodwill. Two regularly at the BBC Proms, was enthusiastic, us is tremendous fun. Such wonderful sounds outstanding popular scores that have been commenting: “This is a great union. On the and colours, and playing so beautifully in tune. published recently are the suite from David one hand, we have a wonderful choral group Best of all, a third of the price of an orchestra, Fanshawe’s evergreen African Sanctus and that puts a lot of store in getting things right, which is excellent!” Karl Jenkins’ outstanding The Armed Man. In while the band does the same. It’s terrific, and The sopranos were equally enthusiastic: “For addition to Howard Snell’s arrangements of coming together quite quickly. Everyone in us it is a wonderful, shimmering, golden Verdi’s Te Deum, Borodin’s Polotsvian Dances, this room has professional aspirations, and experience. What a variety of dynamics all the Bram Gay’s complete Magic Flute, and Parry’s that’s the beauty of it. You might ask why we way through the spectrum, and such beautiful coronation anthem, I was Glad, there is plenty of don’t combine more often? Well, I don’t think solo playing from the principal cornet.” substantial music available. that anyone on our side of the fence has really The alto section includes Anna Munks and Shouldn’t we make the most of a genuine thought of it. There is something really special Jenine Mudge. Typical of the Bach Choir opportunity to put on serious concerts in big here, not only the musical potential, but also singers, Anna studied music at university before venues and bring together these two glories of the chemistry. We must pursue more projects. beginning her career as a musical administrator, the nation’s musical heritage?

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 11

BB 10-11.indd 11 25-11-2009 12:42:04 BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 12

BB 12-13.indd 12 25-11-2009 12:45:48 TALKING POINT Continually developing professionally? by Kenneth Crookston

You have to feel sorry for the Ireland football brass band movement’s contests,” but merely team, which was knocked out of the World Cup to address the adjudication process. In January after a courageous display against France last 2003, ABBA carried out an exercise on criteria- week, courtesy of a goal that should have been based marking at its annual CPD [Continuing disallowed after an obvious handball incident Professional Development] session.’ involving the (otherwise) great Thierry Henry. In I was present when it repeated the excercise in the aftermath of the match, we heard the usual 2006, and one of the reasons I remember it so moans and groans from football pundits and well is that, like all the other members of the supporters; ‘Bring in video technology,’ is the brass band press, I’ve been waiting ever since favourite these days, but the football authorities for an ABBA member to tell anyone that he seem reluctant to do so for some reason and, has actually used it at a contest. Interestingly, even with the billions of pounds invested in on ABBA’s website, Brian Buckley also states: the business worldwide, the fine line between ‘Performance Assessment Criteria has been success and failure is still essentially determined published and re-issued, aimed specifically by the vision and judgement of only one man. at Lower Section bands, since to target Keeping in mind that the hundreds of millions the Championship Section would be both watching at home on television usually have condescending and demeaning.’ So, it’s only a better view than he does, it all seems rather condescending and demeaning for the top difficult to justify. section bands, then? You could be forgiven for It doesn’t seem right that professional careers thinking that the ABBA top brass don’t really can be so adversely affected by mistakes from believe in Performance Assessment Criteria, the official in charge of the game, especially yet they keep holding it up both as a beacon when there is a better way to do it. Other sports of excellence and a sign of progress whenever - notably tennis, cricket and rugby - have seen they come under fire. the benefits of using technology to get the right In its own words, ABBA exists ‘to maintain decisions, and while their supporters have less to and improve a professional level; and to talk about these days, surely the vastly reduced protect and enhance the status of brass band number of controversial decisions make for a adjudicators,’ which it appears to do through much better and fairer situation for everyone. the implementation of its CPD policy. Closer While it won’t be hard to find an Irishman to examination of this, again courtesy of ABBA’s assert that decision making in football hasn’t website, reveals that there have been ten CPD really advanced since the infamous hand of sessions since January 2000, with a diverse Maradona incident that knocked England out of range of subject matter ranging from the over only its own membership, there is no the World Cup in 1986, it is to be hoped that the use and abuse of mutes and ‘the world of compulsion for ABBA to do anything at all. governing bodies of the sport will find their way adjudication’ to the use of the Internet and However, if it is to retain credibility within its to a progressive solution to a growing problem, various mock adjudication sessions. While only marketplace, it needs to look beyond sooner rather than later. such sessions are individually laudable, to be Steven Mead’s initial verbal volley at the British This brings us nicely to the latest round in the considered ‘professional’ in most walks of life, Open (which no one condones) and examine ongoing spat between the Association of Brass or to represent development in a ‘continuing’ his offerings, and those of others, with a view to Band Adjudicators (ABBA) and Steven Mead. For manner, would surely require a more detailed implementing a real improvement in standards. some reason, and just when we thought all the strategy and structured format over a measured Its current reluctance to acknowledge the fuss was starting to die down, the Association time frame than the ad hoc approach that ABBA possibility of progress beyond that made by decided last week to issue a statement entitled appears to employ. the likes of John Gladney, William Halliwell, ‘Mythical Meetings’, focussing mainly on who It may be reluctant to acknowledge so, but William Rimmer, Eric Ball and the Mortimer said what about whether or not the two parties ABBA is at the centre of one of the many crises family (as quoted by Derek Broadbent, ABBA’s were having a meeting. You wouldn’t have from which banding in the UK is currently Chairman), brings immediate comparison thought that a meeting would be so difficult suffering, with confidence in both the with the aforementioned footballing folk, who to arrange if there was a will to do so, but, in adjudication process and some of those who are sticking a spoke in the wheel of progress the absence of any other agenda, lifting the practice it at a bit of a low ebb among many while their counterparts in other sports forge phone would seem easier than putting out of the Association’s valued customers. Strong ahead. Unless ABBA displays real vision and a press statement. Since reading it on the and forward-looking leadership from the body moves to implement proper quality standards, Internet, Steven Mead has contacted BB with that exists to ‘protect and enhance’ this most the inevitable conclusion will be the slow and evidence counteracting ABBA’s latest stance necessary of roles in band contesting could go painful death of the brass band contest as a that it is ‘quite remarkable that such a busy a long way to resolving the situation, but in serious musical vehicle, with disillusionment and obviously well-organised professional its current self-assessment initiative, in which driving even more players and conductors away. person publicly contends that he has written individual members will themselves determine Perhaps this is a good time for everyone to to ABBA twice without reply.’ Actually, he has. at which level they are fit to adjudicate, ABBA remember the words of the European Brass ABBA also says that it is ‘inconceivable’ that he has offered nothing more than a futile, box- Band Association’s President, Ulf Rosenberg, has ‘prepared copious information comparing ticking exercise that will serve only to appease who, in response to unstinting praise of a range of adjudicating systems from many the very people that many of the organisation’s Norwegian organisation of the 2008 European different spheres of music contests.’ We current members, and disillusioned former Championships in Stavanger, offered: “We must understand that he has done that too. members including Richard Evans (who publicly remember that the biggest room in the world is In the statement, C. Brian Buckley (ABBA’s made such a comment at the Scottish Brass the room for improvement.” Secretary) also states: ‘The role of ABBA is not Band Association’s recent Annual Conference), Wise words indeed from one of our most to address changes that Steven contends are see as a major part of the problem. progressive voices, but is there a chance that he “needed with regard to the current set-up of the As an autonomous body with authority wasn’t talking about banding in Britain?

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 13

BB 12-13.indd 13 25-11-2009 12:45:48 %UDPZHOO7RYH\ ´,IHYHUWKHUHZDVDFRQYLQFLQJDGYRFDWHRIWKH A musician of striking versatility, Bramwell Tovey is WXEDLW·V/HV+LVSOD\LQJUHDFKHVRXWIURPWKH acknowledged around the world for his artistic depth and his VWDJHSLFNV\RXXSE\WKHVFUXIIRIWKHQHFNDQG warm, charismatic personality on the podium. His career as VD\V¶OLVWHQWRPH·µ a conductor is uniquely enhanced by his work as a composer 6WHSKDQLH+XJKHV %%&5DGLR and pianist, lending him a remarkable musical perspective as demonstrated on this latest recording from Foden’s Band on ´7KHSOD\HUZKRPRVWUHPLQGVPHRI-RKQ which he appears in all three roles. )OHWFKHUWRGD\LV/HV1HLVKµ %UDPZHOO7RYH\ 0XVLF'LUHFWRU 9DQFRXYHU6\PSKRQ\2UFKHVWUD

´:KHQ/HVOLHSOD\VWKHWXEDLW·VQRWRQO\KLP KDYLQJIXQ+HKDVWKHUDUHDELOLW\WRGUDZWKH OLVWHQHULQWRVKDULQJKLVSDVVLRQIRUPXVLF PDNLQJµ (ZDQ(DVWRQ 3ULQFLSDO7XED+DOOp2UFKHVWUD

´$ZRUOGFODVVVWDWHRIWKHDUWWXELVWDQGD VXSHUEPXVLFLDQµ 5RJHU%RER 7XEDOHJHQG 

 "!
!
!"




Coventry Variations; Pictures in the Smoke (piano soloist; Bramwell Tovey); Toccata; The Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret (trombone soloist; Joseph Alessi); St Norbert Chorale; Nine Daies Wonder (violin soloist; Mark Fewer).

#%$
CD 25030 £13.95 £9.99  $ 

!
%



CD 21416 £13.95 £9.99

$$$$  !!
%
$$$$  !!"#!  
 




''''!#!#$$!
(
''''!#!#$$%& $! $OO&''9'RUGHUVIRU8.>LQFOXGLQJ1,@GHOLYHU\LUUHVSHFWLYHRITXDQWLW\ "! 
!##
 



DUHVXEMHFWWRDFDUULDJHFKDUJHRI  $OORWKHU8.GHOLYHULHVZLOOLQFXUDFDUULDJHFKDUJHRI LUUHVSHFWLYHRIVL]H All orders for UK (incl. N.I.) delivery, irrespective of size, are subject to a £2.95 postage charge. Overseas charges available on request.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 14

BB 14-15.indd 14 25-11-2009 12:41:15 SEASONAL SOUNDBITES 2009

British Bandsman’s look forward to Christmas begins here, with a look back over the recording highlights of 2009 and some of the hottest products in the marketplace this year. We introduce the Band and Solo CDs of the Year, and Rodney Newton meets one of the men behind Foden’s Band’s recent success both on the concert platform and in the recording studio, Bram Tovey. There’s also something for every taste in our comprehensive guide to the latest CDs and DVDs on the market, but we begin, as ever, with our list of the best-selling recordings of the year.

WoB Tunes top-selling complete albums Egon label 1. World Class Marches of The Salvation Army - Black Dyke Band 1. Rococo Variations – Foden’s Band (SFZ 148) 2. Enter the Galaxies - Cory Band 2. Maestro: Bramwell Tovey – Foden’s Band (SFZ 136) 3. Heritage Series Vol. 1 (Music from the 1930s) - The International Staff Band 3. Salt of the Earth - Les Neish (SFZ 150) 4. Walking with Heroes - Black Dyke Band 4. Jabulani - Stavanger Brass Band (SFZ 147) 5. Within Blue Empires - Black Dyke Band 5. The Incredible PolySteel Band - PolySteel Band (SFZ 142) 6. Tribute - Eminence Brass 6. Hymns - Grimethorpe Colliery Band (SFZ 141)

WoB Tunes top-selling individual tracks SP&S label 1. Saint-Saëns Variations - Cory Band (from Regionals 2010) 1. The Jolly Salvationist - Household Troops Band (SPS 247 CD) 2. Walking with Heroes - Black Dyke Band (from Walking with Heroes) 2. Heritage Series Vol. 1 (Music from the 1930s) - The International Staff Band 3. Concertino for Brass Band - Black Dyke Band (from National Brass Band (SPS 249 CD) Championships 2008) 3. Classically Enfield - Enfield Citadel Band (SPS 256 CD) 4. Enter the Galaxies - Cory Band (from Enter the Galaxies) 4. Diversity - Bellshill Band (SPS 255 CD) 5. The Kingdom of Dragons - Cory Band (from Regionals 2010) 5. First Through Faith - Consett Band (SPS 246 CD) 6. Triumphant Rhapsody - Black Dyke Mills Band (from The Music of Gilbert Vinter) 6. Christmas Tidings - The International Staff Band (SPS 215 CD)

World of Brass label Polyphonic 1. Brass in Concert 2008 DVD (WOB 135 DVD) 1. Masters of Space and Time - NYBBGB (QPRL 225D) 2. European Brass Band Championships 2009 DVD (WOB 138 DVD) 2. Ovation! - Flowers Band (QPRL229D) 3. Let Everything Praise - Gospel Arts Concert 2009 (WOB 137 DVD) 3. Master Brass Vol. 19 (2008) (QPRL 228D) 4. Brass & Voices...and all that jazz (WOB 139 DVD) 4. World of the Trombone Vol. 1 - Brett Baker (QPRZ 026D) 5. Expressions - Regent Hall Band and Songsters (WOB 125 DVD) 5. Shout! - Brett Baker (QPRL - 227D) 6. Black Dyke Band LIVE (WOB 126 DVD) 6. Mosaic - RNCM Wind Orchestra (QPRM 152D)

Doyen label Obrasso 1. World Class Marches of The Salvation Army - Black Dyke Band (DOY CD221) 1. Screen Blockbusters - Black Dyke (Obrasso no. 930) 2. Enter the Galaxies - Cory Band (DOY CD264) 2. Fantastic Overtures Vol. 3 - Black Dyke (Obrasso no. 931) 3. Essential Dyke Volume IX - Black Dyke Band (DOY CD270) 3. The Return of Legends - Brighouse and Rastrick (Obrasso no. 936) 4. Walking with Heroes - Black Dyke Band (DOY CD245) 4. The Greatest Musical Hits - various British Brass Bands (Obrasso no. 933) 5. European Brass Band Championships 2009 - various brass bands (DOY CD260) 5. Fantastic Overtures Vol. 1 - Black Dyke (Obrasso no. 915) 6. Within Blue Empires - Black Dyke Band (DOY CD269) 6. A Christmas Celebration - Oberaargauer Brass Band (CH) (Obrasso no. 938)

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 15

BB 14-15.indd 15 25-11-2009 12:41:32 SEASONALMaestro SOUNDBITES in a league of its own by Kenneth Crookston 2

I can genuinely say that it has been a real a programme full of interest and variety - mostly the band and soloists alike. Like the composer, privilege to organise this year’s British music on the ‘lighter’ side compared with other this disc has a real sense of humour and this Bandsman CD of the year competition, with discs under consideration, but none the worse sparkles through in the music, Nine Daies the task of whittling down the many fine for that. Playing and recording are both of the Wonder and Pictures in the Smoke in particular. recordings made over 2009 to a manageable highest level, as is to be expected from this Rococo Variations, also by Foden’s, begins with a group of finalists as difficult as ever. Having astonishing band. Within Blue Empires and The beautifully shaped and restrained performance done so, it was then over to our panel of Peter Graham Collection both present ‘Dyke’ of Vinter’s Variations on a Ninth, at times truly experts, this year comprising Tim Mutum and (and the ISB) at its imperious best. The recorded sumptuous, but always fresh and clear. The band Frank Renton, as well as newcomers, Simon sound on both (the work of Richard Scott) shows a real darkness and orchestral weight. Dobson and Philip Sparke, to make the final appeals to me greatly. It is full and rich with ‘Paganini’ really fizzes and has such clarity decision. As ever, I would have had the casting a beautifully spaced stereo image. Graham’s that I notice things I’ve not previously heard. 3 vote if required, but for the second year in a double CD is a worthy tribute to the composer Gregson’s work rounds the CD off with true row, a certain Dr. Tovey ensured that I could and includes some of his greatest major works, majesty. This recording has such clarity, warmth just sit back and enjoy the music rather than which makes it very attractive. Within Blue and space. Within Blue Empires has some great having to worry about putting them in order! Empires gives us the chance to hear a première playing, and the Black Dyke soloists deliver as The final contenders were: Enter the Galaxies recording of the fascinating title track and a real ever, but to me, this album seems a little rushed (Cory), Maestro (Foden’s), Jabulani (Stavanger), gem from Philip Wilby in Psalms and Alleluias. I and a touch unconsidered. Spectrum stands out The Peter Graham Collection (Black Dyke/ISB), really enjoyed Rococo Variations from Foden’s, as the most vibrant offering here. Cory’s huge Rococo Variations (Foden’s) and Within Blue as it includes two of my all-time favourites in In Enter the Galaxies is a lot of fun, but too ‘pop Empires (Black Dyke), and once the panel had Memoriam R.K. and Paganini Variations, though music’ for my taste. Not to take anything away applied their carefully worked-out formula, the playing and recording (though extremely good, from the playing, though, this is top-class stuff. result was as follows: of course) are by no means flawless. So, to The soloists shine and the band plays with a real swagger, while the new music on show from 4 PS TM FR SD Total Dan Price is great and well written. When Black Dyke, the International Staff Band and Peter Maestro (Foden’s) 6 6 6 5 23 Graham get together, it’s always going to be Rococo Variations (Foden’s) 4 5 5 6 20 pretty classy. ‘Dyke’ shines and some wonderful The Peter Graham Collection (Black Dyke/ISB) 3 3 3 3 12 solo playing in In League with Extraordinary Within Blue Empires (Black Dyke) 5 4 1 1 11 Gentlemen is fantastic. Graham knows how to Jabulani (Stavanger) 1 1 4 4 10 write and Black Dyke knows how to record him. The ISB also has such warmth and makes this Enter the Galaxies (Cory) 2 2 2 2 8 record complete; The Last Amen alone makes it worth buying the disc. As always, something very different in concept from the Norwegians at So, another resounding victory for Foden’s Maestro. The music is just wonderful – I listened Stavanger. Jabulani is a world apart and sounds following its success last year with New Music to the whole CD with a smile on my face! Tovey great from the first note. Defiantly the funkiest for Brass Band, but just what was it that the is, of course, an exceptional all-round talent, of the albums on show here, but definitely for 5 panel found so appealing? and the solo items on this CD are rich, varied, the ‘open-minded bander’. Norwegian bands Philip Sparke began: “I was hoping that one of challenging and scintillating. The recorded just sound totally different from our home these six CDs would be so good that it would sound was not my favourite, as the stereo image ensembles, and this shows no more than when make the decision easy, but I found that none of sounds a little narrow (it’s disconcerting to hear they swing, which they do on this whole record, them delivered the whole package. They all get both cornets and trombones coming from the and crystal clear to boot. I Just wish I knew who pretty close, though! Stavanger’s contribution centre of the image) and the booklet, illegible in the pianist was on the first track!” bears witness to its admirable reputation for places, leaves us to assume that Maestro Tovey That great collector of band recordings, Tim innovation. The playing, as always, is crisp and is the soloist in Pictures in the Smoke. So, which of Mutum, clearly sees 2009 as a bit of a vintage clean, and the recorded sound exemplary. Robin these CDs would I return to over and over again? year, and he commented: “This year the ‘Q’ for Dewhurst’s collection provides an object lesson It would be between Maestro and Within Blue quality has surpassed that of quantity by a fair in how to write clever and entertaining music Empires and I guess the Tovey shades it, despite margin. Each of the six discs on the shortlist for band, but I felt the slightly contrived Edvard its minor shortcomings. After that, it’s Rococo bristle with quality, but one stands head and Meets Edward at an Exhibition by Jostein Stalheim Variations, Peter Graham, Galaxies and Jabulani.” shoulders above the rest. Having been top of is something that would work better live (I Simon Dobson also enjoyed Maestro, but was my pile since its release, nothing has come close assume it was an entertainment programme) even more impressed with the other contender to knocking it of its perch. Enter the Galaxies than on CD. Cory’s Enter the Galaxies includes from Foden’s: “Maestro is great piece of and Jabalani show imaginative programming quality contributions from a galaxy of young work. Tovey’s writing, full of imagination and and, in the case of Cory, it made me realise just composing talent (and some older ones!) and is innovation as ever, is played to perfection by how good this band really is, but neither has

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 16

BB 16-17.indd 16 25-11-2009 12:44:43 2 SEASONAL SOUNDBITES 3 1

that extra ‘wow’ factor to set my pulse racing music they performed at Brass in Concert to make it a winner. No surprise to find Black last year, both in the Gala Concert and the Dyke in the frame – it makes so many good competition, and having narrated the story CDs, but The Peter Graham Collection (in which line of when Edward met Edvard both live and the ISB is an equal partner) does include a on record, I’m still none the wiser! So, on to fair spread of his music that already exists on Foden’s, and in second place I put its release of disc, although it is a rarity to have a CD with a Rococo Variations. It’s basically there because 4 première studio recording of a National Final the playing is generally so good, although, by test-piece (and recorded by the winner!) so and large, I found it accurate but pretty joyless. soon after the event. Within Blue Empires and Variations on a Ninth particularly suffered in Rococo Variations are blockbuster test-piece this respect, and the penultimate bar is a mess recordings and very welcome. It is good to see - inexcusable on a recording. My vote for CD of the habit returning of contest winners doing the Year goes to Bramwell Tovey and Foden’s the decent thing and ensuring that they record for Maestro. Bram is a fine and committed the music on which they won. In another year, musician, unafraid to nail his colours to the these discs might have won. That leaves one mast, and while I don’t like everything he has disc - Maestro. Bramwell Tovey is one of the written, I give him great credit for being able finest musicians ever to grace the front of a brass to do so. The band also plays better for him band. Everything on this CD is his creation and than for anyone else. So, hats off to Maestro reflects a high level of inventiveness. Pictures Tovey, Joseph Alessi, Mark Fowler and Foden’s 5 in the Smoke (for piano, percussion and brass Band, not forgetting producer, Brian Hillson, band) and Nine Daies Wonder (for violin, brass who is still about as good as it gets, and World band and percussion) rank as two of the most of Sound for having the courage to back this colourful works ever written for the medium. ground-breaking recording.” Admiring these and the rest of Tovey’s writing Once again Foden’s sets the standard for brass on the CD, it is all too easy to overlook Foden’s band recording, and the band’s principal cornet, Band, whose playing is everything you would Mark Wilkinson, commented: “We are extremely expect. Not only my CD of the Year, Maestro pleased to have won the CD of the Year, which would be in the top ten of the last 25 years.” has rounded off a very successful 2009 for the Finally, Frank Renton is as ‘frank’ as ever in his band. Maestro showcases the amazing talents analysis, which confirms Maestro as the winner: of Bram Tovey as a composer, conductor and “When it came to this year’s selection for CD performer, and It was a privilege for the band of the Year, I discarded the offering from Black to work with him on this recording, as well as Dyke, Within Blue Empires, after one listening. with the other world-renowned soloists, Mark 6 The Cory offering of Enter the Galaxies also bit Fewer and Joe Alessi. Foden’s is honoured to be the dust; a great band in its 125th year, but associated with Bram and always look forward this recording brings nothing new to the table. to working with him when our diaries permit, Jabulani from Stavanger and Allan Withington and plans are already underway for another CD is much more adventurous - a re-run of the recording together in 2010.”

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 17

BB 16-17.indd 17 25-11-2009 12:44:52 SEASONAL SOUNDBITES Salt of the Earth a perfect p by Kenneth Crookston

While Foden’s Band can celebrate taking the BB hit the mark. I enjoyed the quartet playing does not allow Whitburn the space to expand. CD of the Year title for the second successive of Eminence – especially the Vinter – but Håkan Björkman is an astonishing trombonist, year, the band’s star tuba soloist, Leslie Neish, concluded this was not really a solo CD, which but balance problems in the generous acoustic will be doing his own bit of rejoicing this leaves Les Neish. Wow! Absolutely stunning, of the recording (the band sound often swamps Christmas, having taken the title of BB Solo CD both as a player and in his choice of repertoire, him) mean that I can’t place this at the top of my of 2009 for his outstanding release, Salt of the especially the two contributions from Andy list. So, it is to Eminence Brass that I will return Earth. Scott - the atmospheric and moving My again and again. The stellar cast really produces Mountain Top and Salt of the Earth, which the goods here and, if the CD only included the Once again, it was a very difficult job for the completely won me over the first time I heard three Vinter quartets, I would consider that value panel and, with a plethora of solo recordings it at the RNCM Festival of Brass. Tip-top tuba for money - they really are a joy.” to choose from being augmented by the playing and top of the pile as my Solo CD of the excellent release from the Eminence Brass Year.” Frank Renton was similarly impressed: “What Quartet, choosing the short-list to be forwarded a cornucopia of talent in the Solo CD of the to Simon Dobson, Tim Mutum, Frank Renton Although admiring all of the contenders, Year category, and all so different. Tribute and Philip Sparke also required some careful Philip Sparke’s opinion of the winner differed from Eminence Brass shows off the talents of consideration. slightly: “All four CDs here contain playing of four of the brightest young stars in the brass In the end, we plumped for Salt of the Earth such a sublimely high standard, that choosing a band firmament. Richard Marshall, Philip Cobb, (Les Neish), Mandrake in the Corner (Håkan ‘winner’ becomes more a matter of programme Owen Farr and David Childs are all fantastic Björkman), Rococo Variations (Steven Mead) choice and recording quality, this last aspect players, but not quite as yet an ensemble and Tribute (Eminence Brass), with the varying quite widely. Les Neish is certainly thinking as one musical being. For their debut, aforementioned achieving a clear victory once a tubist of rare ability and his performances I would rather have heard them play a whole the numbers had all been added up. on Salt of the Earth are never less than totally album of newly commissioned works better Tim Mutum was clearly impressed by all of committed. He achieves what few tubists can, to reflect their amazing talent and musical the contenders, but also in no doubt about which is to allow the listener to forget about characters. So, on to another extraordinary the winner, commenting: “In the solo CD the technical difficulties involved in making the emerging talent in Les Neish. His Salt of the category, the three soloists have shaped good tuba a solo instrument, and just listen to the Earth centred on that concerto especially programmes, mixing different blends of solos music. The carefully thought-out programme written for him by Andy Scott and Episodes and accompaniments. Should one reward order does its best to overcome the acoustic and Echoes, also especially written for him by Steven Mead, who has made more CDs than and stylistic problems often created by mixing Peter Meechan. Both bring something new to most bands ever will, yet still manages to ‘light/serious’ and ‘piano/band’ solos on the musical world, certainly to the repertoire conjure up imaginative programmes and is the same CD (a pet peeve of mine!). Steven of the tuba, and both are beautifully played by always unearthing musical gems? Alternatively, Mead’s programme - of course, played with Les Neish, but I’m less convinced by some of there are soloists just starting out on this road, consummate skill and musicianship - strikes the other offerings. Next up, Rococo Variations like Les Neish and Håkan Björkman. The latter, me as more homogenous and slightly more from Steven Mead and another tour de force despite some impressive contributions, really convincing as a ‘musical journey’ than Neish’s. of euphonium playing from one of the finest did have too much that has gone before to The hall acoustic sounds small, however, and players in the business. Good as his playing

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 18

BB 18-19.indd 18 25-11-2009 12:40:33 SEASONAL SOUNDBITES platform for tuba virtuoso

is, I didn’t always find that the repertoire Mead’s playing is full of personality. Björkmans So there it is, and Les Neish was “over the ‘grabbed me’, and the accompanying band Mandrake in the Corner is full of fire from the off, moon” when he was informed of his success didn’t always sound comfortable in the different and Håkan’s sense of fun is shown (as it also is during the interval of a Foden’s concert last styles of music. So, to my choice of Solo CD of in the CD notes - great pictures!). The contrast Sunday evening. He added: “I knew that Salt the Year - Mandrake in the Corner from Håkan between Stockholm Brass Band and the harp is of the Earth would have a chance, but when it Björkman with Stockholm Brass Band and Asa also wonderful. The extraordinary high standard was up against recordings by Steve and Håkan, Lannerholm. Håkan is principal trombone of of playing and arrangement of the Debussy there was always a very good chance that one the Royal Stockholm Opera and has a list of track is a winner and the overall diversity of of them would beat it, as they are both such competition wins and appearances as soloist repertoire and performance on this disc really great professionals. Choosing the programme with great bands and orchestras as long as your makes it stand out. Salt of the Earth is virtuosity can be very difficult, but for this one, Martyn arm. He is simply a wonderful player at the peak on another level and Les’s playing is subtle and Parkes, my piano accompanist, and I pulled of his powers and musical maturity. As I have moving, powerful and funny. The addition of so out all the music we each had and bounced got older, I have come to think of the trombone much new music represents forward thinking, ideas off of each other until we had something as an immensely noble instrument and, in the and Peter Meechan’s piece stands out of the that seemed balanced. I think it was a good hands of Håkan Björkman, it is that and so much crowd; you can hear how much the soloist programme in the end, but it really grew out of more. I was captivated by the whole album.” enjoys playing this one. It’s hard to see any nothing. I am delighted to have won, though, With the panel split, it was Simon Dobson who other mainstream brass band solo CD beating and this will give me some inspiration for swung the decision in Les Neish’s favour, but this for content or ability. Eminence Brass boasts another recording in the future, but I would it was clear that he regarded all of the discs a fairly hefty line-up and the playing is quite like to commission at least one other major very highly: “Steven Mead’s album sounds very literally immaculate. The quartet works very well work before I embark on that, as a recording of good indeed. Whitburn is tight (although a little together and the solo lines are so lyrical. A great ‘lolipops’ isn’t really what I have in mind.” uneven) and the disc benefits from some great recording, but one that could have benefited Les Neish will be off to the USA to perform with arranging by Luc Vertommen. It’d just be good from something truly contemporary and ‘crazy’ the Brass Band of Battle Creek next week, before to hear someone with such a complete mastery to balance the disc out. Seriously tight playing giving concerts in Paris and Baden-Baden of the instrument take the plunge into the though and a brilliant all-round CD. For me in Germany with Sting. His ever-increasing contemporary repertoire more in recordings. the opening movement of the Payne and the fan-base can also hear him tonight (28th) in Vintage stands out in harmonic terms and Golland stand out. Superb.” Kettering, where he will star in Brass for Africa.

PS TM FR SD Total

Salt of the Earth (Les Neish) 2 4 2 4 12

Mandrake in the Corner (Håkan Björkman) 1 2 4 3 10

Rococo Variations (Steven Mead) 3 3 3 1 10

Tribute (Eminence Brass) 4 1 1 2 8

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 19

BB 18-19.indd 19 25-11-2009 12:40:36 FEATURE

Over the years, the brass band world has enjoyed seeing its many sons and daughters progress into the wider world of music. Orchestras around the globe have benefited from outstanding brass players who have their roots in brass bands. However, this is not so common among conductors, where those involved in brass bands have tended to restrict themselves to that area of musical activity. However, there have been notable exceptions, the best known today probably being Elgar Howarth, together with Russell Gray (currently extending his activities towards orchestral conducting) and Frank Renton (Musical Director of the British Concert Orchestra). However, one of the most versatile among these wielders of the baton has to be composer and conductor, Bramwell Tovey - conductor of Foden’s Band, Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Hollywood Bowl summer concerts and a regular guest at New York Philharmonic concerts. His outstanding interpretations of the great brass band classics and his ability to understand and unravel the most complex of test-pieces have led to an air of eager anticipation among brass band audiences every time he steps onto the platform. Although having made an international career for himself as a conductor and, more recently, a composer, his roots lie firmly embedded in brass bands, the tuba and The Salvation Army.

He was born in Ilford in 1953 into a Salvationist family and educated at Ilford County High School. Of his family background, he revealed: “My family had been in Ilford since the turn of the century. However, when my father, Bernard, was taken ill in 1953 (he suffered from cancer and died at the age of 48 in 1968 when I was 15), we transferred to Romford Corps where he’d grown up. I was originally in Ilford Young People’s (YP) Band, under the direction of Pat Paisey and Norman Mitchinson, and the Singing Company under Lionel Woodger. I had the thrill of seeing Keith Prynn in action with the Songsters every week - he was one of the The busy world of greatest musicians the SA’s ever produced – and I joined the senior band in Romford where I also played for the 80-strong Singing Company under Norman Cooper and my mother, Joan, Bramwell Tovey who succeeded him as leader.” Bram Tovey ‘came out of uniform’ when he was 19, but continued to attend meetings and give support where he could. “My maternal Rodney Newton meets Dr. Bramwell Tovey, Music Director of the Vancouver grandparents, Herbert and Hilda Barker, were officers and trained alongside Norman Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band Bearcroft’s parents before World War I. My grandfather had a beautiful tenor voice (a of Great Britain and a name inextricably linked with Foden’s Band. In this superb recording survives of him singing at feature, he talks about his Salvation Army background and his career the age of 70), he was a tenor horn player and tenor soloist with The International Staff Band as a conductor and composer. (ISB) in the 1930s. My paternal grandparents were Harold and Lily Tovey. Grandfather Tovey was a euphonium player from Limehouse, and my grandmother was a long-serving member of the Romford Songsters and Home League Singers. My father was in the ISB for a couple of

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 20

BB 20-21-22-23.indd 20 25-11-2009 12:40:07 FEATURE

years in the early 50s, and recently, at Cadogan Hall, I was chatting with Roland Cobb who said the loveliest things about playing in the ISB with him. I’ve missed my Dad every day since he died, but my mother is still alive and kicking and in her 90th year in Bexhill. She continues to be unimpressed by anything I’ve done in the orchestral world, but is still deeply into the brass band scene and Foden’s in particular. After my father died, she married former Southend SA bandmaster Cyril Manning (I dedicated Coventry Variations to Cyril), who died in 1991, and she is now married to Albert Grassham, a retired SA bandsman from Sale in Cheshire.” Bramwell Tovey began playing at quite an early age. He recalled: “I started on the piano aged seven. At the SA, there were plenty of opportunities to play and I also acquired the knack of playing by ear for choruses and hymns, which stood me in good stead later on when Tylney Hall SA band camp 1968 I came to play continuo and jazz. Dad taught me to play the baritone and I joined the YP Band on 2nd baritone when I was ten. I was not simply a tuba player, since his intelligence, explained, “My first job was assistant pianist really making much of a mark on 2nd baritone his understanding of musical language and and conductor at London Festival Ballet, and I started playing the E flat bass at Ilford YP styles, his sense of timing (evident in the way touring with Rudolf Nureyev. I then worked Band aged 14 or so and the switch happened he told stories) and his musical presence were in Scotland for four years as an accompanist spontaneously when, one day, our only Eb bass on a par with the best in the business – even and coach, and with Scottish Ballet under the player left a rehearsal early. John Ridgeon, a cellists loved his performances of movements choreographer, Peter Darrell, where I had my superb brass educator, came to my school to of Bach’s cello suites. He died so young (at own professional orchestra for the first time. teach and got me into local youth orchestras in the age of 44) and consequently he does not I made my conducting debut with LSO in an Redbridge (their superb music services continue have much of a legacy as a soloist on disc. all-Beethoven programme for the concert to this day).” He taught me how to shape notes, how to promoter, Victor Hochauser, at the Barbican in articulate, how to sustain and how to release, 1984. This led to an enormous amount of work Following secondary education, Bram Tovey all within an expressive context – these were with the orchestra and particularly to my big entered the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) things that have been of untold usefulness break in 1986, when I stood in at short notice with piano and tuba as joint first studies. He to me throughout my career as a conductor. I on the opening night of the LSO’s Leonard continued: “Sybil Barlow taught me piano and conducted John’s last engagement (a television Bernstein Festival and met Bernstein himself. John Fletcher the tuba. Maurice Miles was recording session with the LSO). We had lunch I also met the impresario, Raymond Gubbay, my conducting professor (Simon Rattle and the day before he suffered a stroke and lapsed around 1984. I have an enormous affection for Adrian Leaper were in the same class) and, each into a coma from which he never recovered. Ray, and it was through doing concerts for his week, we conducted the Repertoire Orchestra, His funeral at Golder’s Green Crematorium was organisation that I first met Barry Douglas and the members including a beautiful flautist attended by hundreds of musicians and was other major soloists. It’s over 20 years since I called Annie Lennox who went on to become one of the most deeply moving experiences of last led a Gubbay concert, but I am very grateful famous in another musical style! Arthur Jacobs, my life. Fletch was very kind and asked me to for the incredible support he gave me in those a brilliant teacher, took a superb music and play second tuba or deputise for him in the LSO early days. drama course from which I have benefited all when he was away with the Philip Jones Brass my life, and Paul Patterson introduced me to Quintet. I played with him in the LSO in Berlioz’s “Although I wanted to be a conductor, I had no the avant-garde and all kinds of 20th century Symphonie Fantastique under James Levine at strategy for my career and I consider myself to music. Noel Cox, a brilliant musician and the Salzburg Festival in 1975, and deputised have been very fortunate at times. I conducted gentleman, was my personal tutor. The RAM for him many times with André Previn, Claudio Hanwell Band for a couple of years (from 1973 was affiliated to Kings College where we went Abbado and Rafael Kubelik conducting among to 1975) and got terrific experience that way. for lectures and various activities. Despite all others, Vic Saywell (a Salvation Army name from However, from 1975 until 1984, I was out of these things, I did not enjoy my student years, the past) also gave me a lot of work playing in touch with bands entirely. Then, in April 1985, with everything being packed into three years studios and with London Festival Ballet (now I conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in a (now it takes five years to complete all these English National Ballet) and I was a member of Friday Night is Music Night programme. GUS courses). I was very shy (except with close London Gabrieli Brass for a couple of years. I Band was the guest band for the broadcast friends), but I did get appointed to the Hanwell played professionally from about 1973 while I and Paul Appelgarth (from my Hanwell days) and Ealing Operatic Society as Music Director. was still a student, but gave up the tuba in 1976 was on bass trombone. Later that year, Richard I became Music Director of Hanwell Band at the age of 22, when I decided to pursue a Franklin, GUS band secretary, rang and asked (in succession to Eric Bravington) through a career as a conductor. I sold my tuba to Patrick me if I’d take the band to the National Final. We trumpet player in the orchestra called Fred Croft Harrild and have not played since. I own a had only four days to rehearse John McCabe’s who also played soprano cornet at Hanwell – I euphonium and occasionally sit in with the Cloudcatcher Fells and we only came 12th, was very, very lucky.” Salvation Army band that plays every Christmas but I really enjoyed it. We had better luck the Studying the tuba with the late John Fletcher, Eve in Vancouver Cathedral.” following year (fourth place on Derek Bourgeois’ then principal tuba of the London Symphony Having made the change from orchestral Diversions for Brass Band) and I stayed with the Orchestra (LSO), made a great impression on musician to conductor, Bram Tovey built his band as Music Director (working in partnership the young Bramwell Tovey, as he recalled: “John career not, as some do, by winning glamorous with the wonderful John Berryman as Resident Fletcher was one of the greatest musicians I’ve conductors’ competitions, but by solid hard Conductor) until 1988, when we won the British ever known. It’s hard to believe that he was work, beginning on the ‘ground floor’. He Open on Wilfred Heaton’s Contest Music. I

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 21

BB 20-21-22-23.indd 21 25-11-2009 12:40:09 FEATURE

and I’d still like to try to win the ‘National’ one day (and perhaps even write the test-piece one year!).” Since his arrival in Canada, Bram Tovey’s conducting career has blossomed, with an appointment in 2008 as Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, regular appearances with the New York Philharmonic, having directed the orchestra’s Summertime Classics every July since 2004 and, from 2002 to 2006, he was music director of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. He led the orchestra on three successful tours in Europe, the Far East and the eastern United States, travelling to China, Korea, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Holland and Belgium and, in 2004, he and the orchestra were awarded the Bramwell Tovey conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2007 Orphée d’Or of the Academie Lyrique Francaise for their critically-praised recording of Jean returned for the ‘National’ a year later, only to the brass band world, in the summer of 2000, Cras’s opera, Polyphème. The following year, in come last on Butterworth’s Odin! I could only Peter Graham wrote to tell him that a major celebration of the opening of Luxembourg’s make one rehearsal, which was nowhere near UK band was trying to reach him. He recalled, new Philharmonic Hall, Bram Tovey conducted enough, of course, but by then, I knew I’d be “Colin Short of Foden’s rang to ask if I would the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra and leaving the band world entirely because I was take the band to the 2000 British Open and the the Europa Academie Choir in the prestigious moving to Canada although, since 1992, I have National Final, as Nick Childs had just departed world première of Krzysztof Penderecki’s occasionally conducted and recorded with the for Black Dyke. After talking it over with my 8th Symphony, composed especially for the Hannaford Band, whose brilliant administrator, wife (she is Canadian and, at that time, knew occasion. Also, together with the Vancouver Ray Tizzard, is one of the great heroes of the absolutely nothing about brass bands) we Symphony and the violinist, James Ehnes, he North American brass band movement.” flew to England with our two youngest kids, won a Grammy award for their recording of the Bram Tovey’s move to Canada proved to (then nearly two and just three months) and Walton, Barber and Korngold violin concertos. be the turning point of his whole career. He once more I was hooked, having never really Last year he toured to Korea and China with commented: “When I went to Winnipeg many imagined that I would ever conduct a British the orchestra and also recorded all the national people thought I was crazy. I had toured brass band again. For the first week, nobody in anthems for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet in Foden’s would speak to me. The music-making in February 2010. He and the orchestra are due 1983 and we I’dused the professional symphony still was great, but there waslike literally no response, toto give a performance try of Mahler’s massive to 8th w “ ‘National’ one day

Symphony (which earned itself the nickname orchestras in each city. I was then invited other than “Yes, Mr. Tovey” - apparently, of Symphony of a Thousand) at the Cultural back as a guest conductor for concerts with they were worried that I’d be dissatisfied and Olympiad. several of the orchestras after that tour and, walk out, although I’d imagined that they However, that is but part of the Tovey story in 1989, was appointed Artistic Director of the thought I was a prig or worse. After the contest - he is also a highly-accomplished composer. Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, a position performance, I found them sitting together in His works include a cello concerto (premièred I held until 2001. In 2000, I was invited to the bar of the hotel and, since that moment, it’s in Winnipeg in January 2001), Requiem for a become Music Director of the Vancouver just been a wonderful musical friendship and Charred Skull for a large choir and brass band Symphony Orchestra.” His repertoire as a I feel completely grounded at Foden’s. I took which, in 2003, was awarded a Juno for Classical conductor is extremely comprehensive and he the band to the ‘Open’ and ‘National’ in 2000, Composition of the Year, a score for Richard has performed works ranging from Mahler’s 2001 and 2002. Since 2002, I’ve not had the Bell’s film Eighteen and he was nominated for Symphony No. 8 to Bach’s Mass in B Minor. In time to do the preparations for the contest and a Genie Award (Canada’s Academy Award) for opera, his repertoire includes works by Puccini, now, of course, Garry Cutt has fulfilled that role a song in Bell’s film, In a Heartbeat. Last year Strauss, Mozart, Menotti, Poulenc, Britten and brilliantly. One of my most precious memories saw the première of Urban Runway, a joint Stravinsky and, in 2004, he premièred a new of my father is going with him to the 1967 commission by the New York and Los Angeles opera by John Estacio. However, just when he National Final when Geoffrey Brand won with Philharmonic Orchestras, which received its first thought he had severed his connections with Black Dyke on Eric Ball’s Journey Into Freedom, performance in New York and then a week later

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 22

BB 20-21-22-23.indd 22 25-11-2009 12:40:10 FEATURE

at the Hollywood Bowl. Bramwell Tovey’s catalogue also includes music for brass bands, such as Coventry Variations, Pictures in the Smoke (for piano and brass band), Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret, The Barfield Ayre, St. Norbert Chorale, Nine Daies Wonder and The Night to Sing, commissioned as the 2005 British Open Brass Band Championship test-piece. He further informed us: “Right now, brass wise, I’ve just written a trumpet concerto that was commissioned and is being premièred by Andrew McCandless and the Toronto Symphony in Roy Thomson Hall, in Toronto, on 2 and 3 December this year. I finally finished the score yesterday and am going to conduct the première myself. Right now I’m busy proof reading. The music is based on a new opera I’m currently composing and is called Songs from the Paradise Saloon. It’s a set of 12 variations based on a scene in the Paradise Saloon, New York in Act 1 of the opera. In the opera the Bramwell Tovey conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra scene is brief, but I so enjoyed getting to know the characters there that I decided to base this responsible for all the problems in my life, even would prefer to be remembered as a composer piece around them – there’s no programme, if I haven’t caused them (which I usually have!). or a conductor. His reply was typically self- but the solo part is pretty intense. Elsewhere That makes finding solutions a bit easier. I don’t effacing: “I’m just a musician and I doubt I’ll in banding, I’m writing a new commission waste time in front of the TV, I read a great be remembered for anything other than a few for Norway’s Eikanger-Bjørsvik Band, which I deal and try and stay up with current events.” bad jokes!” Be that as it may, his contribution conducted for the first time last year. I get to His enthusiasm for, and his commitment to, to brass bands has been considerable and, Foden’s as often as I can – sadly, not at all this brass bands continues and he stated: “I love when asked about his overall attitude to the year, but I think it unlikely that I’ll ever be away my job as Artistic Director of the National movement, he responded: “I love the sound of for long. The two recordings we made last year Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB). a great brass band – it’s on a par with a great took a while to organize, but I had fun reading The position carries huge responsibilities for string orchestra or choir – the voicings are a poem on video for Andy Scott’s My Mountain the future of brass banding and I regard it as wonderful and the musical potential of brass Top, which was used in the Brass in Concert last an enormous honour to hold this post (just bands remains largely unexplored. However, week. At last I’ve been associated with a Foden’s looking at the list of my predecessors makes the thing I really miss is the sheer number victory - it seemed that we nearly always came me quake with nerves). Philip Biggs is one of and quality of Salvation Army bands. The SA the best arts administrators I’ve worked with repertoire is full of masterpieces and I always and the tutors are the very finest available: include one in my brass band concerts. One of to work with people of the quality of Phillip my highlights this year has been conducting McCann, Richard Marshall, Martin Winter, Mark Ray Steadman-Allen’s The Holy War with the Wilkinson and David Daws (to mention just five NYBBGB in Bury St. Edmund’s Cathedral. The win the of the cornet tutors) makes my job an absolute building was extraordinary, but his music more pleasure - they are not only great musicians than matched the space. I am very optimistic they are inspiring human beings. The young about the future of brass bands and not at all band members are fantastic; they are so eager one of the naysayers. There may be fewer bands to learn and develop as musicians.” than 30 years ago but they are, by and large, y!” In summing up, I asked Bram Tovey whether he much better than they were in the old days.”

second together!” In 2007, Calgary Opera commissioned a new opera from Bramwell Tovey, to be premièred in January 2011, currently entitled The Inventor. Written to a libretto by John Murrell, this work is based on the extraordinary life of Alexander ‘Sandy’ Keith, a notorious 19th century con artist and criminal from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bram Tovey commented: “I was thrilled to be approached by Calgary Opera and commissioned to write such a large scale work (readers can search for the story of The Inventor on the Internet).” All this frantic activity leads one to wonder whether Bram Tovey can bi-locate! However, he revealed: “I get up early, I try and arrive fully prepared, I try and stay fit and I realise that I am Bramwell Tovey with Norman Bearcroft and Philip Smith in New York in 2006

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 23

BB 20-21-22-23.indd 23 25-11-2009 12:40:12 Here you will find all available recordings by Steven Mead as well as ON-LINE 3 DECEMBER! several sheet music series, including the full range of the deHaske playalong books, accessories including the new highly sought after Denis Wick Ultra mouthpieces (full range available). In addition this site should be a major hub for all fans of Mnozil Brass, with a special section dedicated to the sensational Austrian group’s CDs and DVDs, including the brand new CD, Almrausch, and DVD, Irmingrad, available now.



  
 



  



 


   
  

 


!"

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 24

BB 24-25.indd 24 25-11-2009 12:38:10 PRODUCT NEWS

(plus an epic duet which concludes the album) to accompany this CD. Any brass players who enjoy Arban will be totally fascinated and challenged by the music of Demersseman. His choice of keys and level of technical difficulty exceed that of Arban by some way, with a range of expression for solo brass virtually unheard of at that time. On the disc, Steven is accompanied by the virtuoso Japanese pianist Tomoko Sawano, who also accompanied him on his award-winning CD, Audacious. The 11 works contain six conservatory-style solos written for the Paris Conservatoire, and five ‘fantasie’ or variation-type solos (including variations on themes of Beethoven, Mozart and the famous Carnival of Venice), all of which pose challenges even to today’s players. This new CD and the accompanying music is sure to be one of the major attractions at Steven Mead’s new online Perhaps it’s every person’s dream to find buried obsolete inventions, but one at the time store, www.euphoniumstore.net, which will treasure. In the music world, one of the parallels was thought to be able to be played with open its ‘doors’ on 2 December. Here you will to this could be finding a long lost musical perfect intonation. Alas, its popularity was find all available recordings by Steven as well treasure, which is something that may have just short-lived and the pieces that Demersseman as several sheet music series, including the full happened. Of all the musical personalities that had composed for it had been passed to the range of the deHaske Playalong books and we know and remember from the middle of museum some time after Sax’s bankruptcy. accessories including the new highly sought the 19th century, perhaps two stand out clearly Together, Steve and Luc decided to resurrect after Denis Wick Ultra mouthpieces (full range - Adolphe Sax (1814-1894) and Jean-Baptiste these pieces resulting in a brand new CD available). In addition, this site should be a major Arban (1825-1889). Sax was the hard-working entitled Virtuoso Music for Brass: Complete Works hub for all fans of Mnozil Brass, with a special instrument designer and patenter. Without the for Euphonium. The solo parts are performed section dedicated to the sensational Austrian saxhorn family of instruments, we would not exactly as Demersseman had written them, group’s CDs and DVDs, including the brand new have brass bands, or if we did, they would look making them quite remarkable compositions CD, Almrausch, and DVD, Irmingrad, available and sound quite different. In Arban, we have for brass from the middle of the 19th century. now. a man who created a brass method that still Luc, working from the original manuscripts, No buried treasure here - it’s been found for dominates traditional brass band teaching, but has also published two volumes of the solos you, and just in time for Christmas! perhaps it’s time to add another name, that of Jules Demersseman (1833-1866). He was born in Hondschoote in the north of France and made his name as a virtuoso flautist in Paris. His playing received rave reviews for his technique and for his wonderful singing tone. He also composed a lot of music for the flute, but it was through his relationship with Sax that he came to create some outstanding brass music that has recently been rediscovered. About two years ago, the euphonium virtuoso, Steven Mead, was contacted by the Belgian conductor and arranger, Luc Vertommen, about a collection of music that had recently come to light. The curator of the Brussels Instrument Museum had alerted Luc to a remarkable set of solo pieces originally composed for the trombone with six independent valves. This instrument, as it turned out, is one of Sax’s

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 25

BB 24-25.indd 25 25-11-2009 12:38:33 REVIEWS

Strongest Tower and the work uses melodic fragments from the Lutheran Scherzo hymn tune Ein’ Feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) and also an apt Scherzo Brass Quartet reference to Dean Goffin’s My Strength, My Tower as the music builds Music House Productions MHP 1309 to its dramatic final bars. This is a real showcase for Cory’s razor-sharp Available from World of Brass, technique and a powerful demonstration of the band’s sound. Dan Price Midland CD and 4barsrest wrote An American Tale especially for Cory’s victorious Brass In Concert This is the debut release of the young, performance during 2008. The work is a musical survey of the American dynamic and award winning British Civil War and includes well-known melodies associated with that era, Open Quartet Champion of 2007 presenting them in styles of various American composers including and winner of the prestigious Philip Sousa, Copland, and Bernstein. This piece includes a narration recorded Jones Brass Ensemble Award in 2008, by Frank Renton and any listener will hear why it was such a success with currently enjoying a busy schedule of the audience at The Sage. performances and educational work all over the UK. The quartet is made The solo contributions on the disc are all given with a mixture of panache up of Sarah Watkins and Emily Dodsworth (cornets), Michelle McGurk and control, with Ian Williams, Gavin Pritchard, Chris Thomas, Owen Farr (tenor horn) and Liz Pope (euphonium), who are all former members of and David Childs needing no introduction to BB readers (just listen in awe the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and studied together at the - this is some playing!). Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. The final items on the track list are smaller works that would be at home I was recently talking to a colleague about quartet playing and chamber on any band’s concert programmes. The title track, Enter The Galaxies’ is music skills, and he commented that he used to be involved in several classic ‘PLC’ - with the usual Hollywood flair and soaring melodic lines, smaller groups through his local band when he was younger, and indeed whilst Men of Harlech is Gareth Wood having some fun with the traditional the thought that bands were suffering for not having this type of playing Welsh anthem. Perhaps my two favourite pieces on the disc are Rodney in the ‘modern’ banding world of today. Of course, he has a good point; Newton’s King Solomon’s Mines and Sunset Over Blue Ridge by Dan Price. the practice of chamber music develops many key skills, including Both works are idiomatically written and contain extremely descriptive rhythmic unity, good intonation, coherent music making, listening and music; the band sounds fabulous on both tracks. This is an insight into the imitation, not to mention quality of sound and phrasing. These are the concert repertoire of the current British Open, Welsh, European and World qualities that Scherzo Brass has in abundance and which make it a delight Champion band - what a way to celebrate a birthday! to listen to. David Thornton The repertoire is carefully chosen and a good mixture of well-known brass band composers and arrangers, with some new music specially written for the quartet, such as Jigaligaliga Shine by Lucy Pankhurst. This Equilibrium work involves percussion (including body percussion performed by the Camberwell Citadel Band quartet members) and is a highly original piece of writing for the medium. Conducted by Bandmaster Ross Andy Scott’s My Mountain Top was performed recently as part of Foden’s Johnson winning Brass In Concert programme. On this disc, we hear a beautifully Available directly from World of played transcription, complete with soft synthesizer pads and narration Brass by poet Lemn Sissay. The overall effect is hypnotic and emotional, and Camberwell Citadel Band, widely this will probably be the piece that listeners remember best. regarded as one of Australia’s foremost The more traditional repertoire is performed with equal conviction - brass bands, here presents its latest Wilfred Heaton’s Scherzo, A Classical Quartet by John Golland, Romantica recording, inspired by the title track by Denis Wright and Peter Graham’s Timepiece are all given detailed and by Paul Lovatt-Cooper which was expressive performances. composed for the band. Under the Overall, this is a CD that will hopefully inspire and revitalise interest in the direction of Bandmaster Ross Johnson, the band has devised a well- brass band quartet repertoire, a true part of our heritage. balanced programme which features four items that receive première David Thornton recordings, the first being Almighty, a festive Intrada composed by Roger Trigg for the band’s recent visit to New Zealand. The band’s flugel horn player, Lindsay Peterson, follows with a presentation of Paul Lovatt- Enter The Galaxies Cooper’s other offering, an atmospheric item entitled Emerald Skies. A The Cory Band sprightly rendition of Marche Militaire Francaise is next in line, which Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs shows the band in fine form, the technical challenges being handled Doyen DOY CD264 competently throughout. Available from World of Brass, As well as these four items, several works are featured that will, no Midland CD and 4barsrest doubt, be well known to Salvationist listeners and the wider banding 2009 is the 125th anniversary year for public, including Brian Bowen’s majestic My Comfort and Strength, Cory and the band has marked this Leslie Condon’s classic march Celebration, Dean Goffin’s masterfully milestone with contest victories, special constructed Wonderful Healer and one of William Himes’ earliest concerts and several CD projects. Enter compositions, the festival march, Able. The band’s soloists are used The Galaxies was Cory’s first commercial to good effect, Merv Preusker presenting Stephen Bulla’s Beyond the release of the year and celebrates the Sunset and Dean Rusling delivering a well-polished account of Ray lighter side of the bands repertoire. The disc features 13 new concert Bowes’ Rhapsody for Cornet and Band. The band is also blessed with two items, all of which are receiving their first studio recordings. fine euphonium soloists, Ron and Ken Mellody, who perform Robert Karl Jenkins’ connections with Cory are well known and here Peter Redhead’s Euphony and Howard Davies’ I Love The One respectively, Graham has arranged four movements from his Adiemus cantatas to (the later work having been written especially for Ken). The CD’s major form Aspects of Adiemus. The band clearly enjoys playing this music and work, Paul Lovatt-Cooper‘s Equilibrium, is based around the hymn tune, the quality shines through with crisp ensemble and clear sound. Peter St. Margaret, although, disappointingly, those who have heard his Cory Graham also contributes an original work with Sirroco, which features Band commission, Enter the Galaxies, will recognise large sections, as three Mediterranean folk songs. The flugel horn solo in the middle being derived from that piece. movement is beautifully played by Joanne Childs, with subtle nuance and Overall though, this a recording to be commended and one that lives up lovely phrasing. to the group’s billing as one of The Salvation Army’s leading corps bands. Turris Fortissima by young Salvationist composer, Steven Ponsford, means Andrew Wainwright

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 26

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 26 25-11-2009 12:42:43 REVIEWS

carry a huge weight of sound and the bass section in particular should be Diversity congratulated for its contribution. Fascinatingly, the band sound slightly Bellshill Band changes with the repertoire: the traditional poise and breadth of the Conducted by Bandmaster Ian Dickie Vinter, moving throughout to a more modern and exciting edge by the SP&S SPS 255 CD time the listener arrives at the Gregson. Both conductors show their usual Available from World of Brass, prowess with each item ideally paced, respectful and yet exciting, and Midland CD and 4barsrest this is a recording of immense quality from all involved - great brass band Since 1921, Lanarkshire-based Bellshill works from a great band. Band has been actively involved in David Thornton music making, both within its own community and the wider Salvation Army world. In recent years, however, Within Blue the band, inspired by its Bandmaster, Ian Dickie, has undertaken a series Empires of innovative recording projects, the latest one based on the theme Black Dyke Band Diversity which, in this case, refers to a programme drawn from a wide Conducted by spectrum of musical idioms, ranging from Salvation Army classics such Prof. Nicholas J. Childs as Faith Reborn, through the classical transcription Ave Verum Corpus, Doyen DOY CD269 all the way to The Lion King. Despite the variety of music on offer, there Available from World of Brass, is a coherent flow to this CD, and the band seems equally at home in Midland CD and 4barsrest whatever style it plays. From the opening notes of the classic march, Over the decades since the end of The Path of Glory, there is a real vitality about the sound, aided by some World War II, Black Dyke has proved adept engineering from the World of Sound team (although this is not to itself to be a formidable force to be discredit in any way the playing of the band). reckoned with on the contest platform, to which its many victories give There are some fine solo contributions, notably from principal cornet, evidence. The band has proved itself equal to the most demanding of Yvonne Ferguson, who delivers an accomplished rendition of Ray Bowes’ test-pieces, particularly during the last 20 years when contest pieces have Rhapsody for Cornet and Band, flugel horn soloist, Lynn Shanks, in Through pushed technique further and further. This CD contains four test-pieces, it All (a solo composed by Andrew Blyth at her request), and (keeping it in together with a remarkable work, Psalms and Alleluias, by Philip Wilby, the family) Lynn’s son, Chris, former principal euphonium of the European written to show off the qualities of the relatively recently-formed National Youth Brass Band, who presents the timeless showcase, Erik Leidzén’s The Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain. Song of the Brother. There is even a vocal solo from Gemma Gunn to enjoy, The CD begins with the first commercial recording of Kenneth Downie’s which provides a moment’s contrast to the brass sounds. Concertino for Brass Band, which is given a superb reading, notable for the Other highlights include William Himes’ colourful arrangement of touching melancholy brought to the fore in the second movement and Amazing Grace and James Curnow’s inventive Jubilation and, while there the virtuosity and security of the helter-skelter finale. are occasional instances of suspect intonation and rhythmic unevenness, Although written for a band of very young players, Philip Wilby (who this does not detract from what is overall a thoroughly enjoyable offering plays the organ part in this recording) has not in any way ‘written down’ and one which will appeal to a diverse range of listeners. to his young players in Psalms and Alleluias. Black Dyke and Professor Andrew Wainwright Childs give a strongly committed account of this music with a seamless blending of the slow and fast sections, with the band relishing the syncopated passages and Richard Marshall, Alexandra Kerwin and David Thornton making the most of their solos. Rococo Variations Gilbert Vinter is represented by his groundbreaking Spectrum, again Foden’s Band showing the band on world-beating form, giving a strong, colourful Conductors Dr. Bramwell Tovey and reading displaying tight ensemble work. Garry Cutt Edward Gregson’s Rococo Variations receives its third recording here, Egon SFZ 148 Whitburn and Foden’s (see review above) having already committed Available from World of Brass, it to CD. The piece made a great impression when it first appeared at Midland CD and 4barsrest the British Open last year and is given a thoroughly idiomatic reading Foden’s Band has been on sublime form here, with the trombones and basses covering themselves in glory and a during 2009, and this disc represents a blazing ‘take no prisoners’ ending. great band, landmark repertoire and a Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s title-track, Within Blue Empires, features a recording conducting team of immense musical of whale song, a device first employed (to the best of my knowledge) and contesting pedigree. The repertoire represents, perhaps, the best in 1970 by Alan Hovhaness in And God Created Great Whales. From the of each of three eminent contributors to the band movement and is gentle, atmospheric opening to the block-busting ending, Black Dyke is placed in chronological order. Gilbert Vinter’s Variations on a Ninth was clearly very much at home in the piece by its Composer-in-Residence. written in 1964 and is, as Rodney Newton comments in the booklet The whale-song is skilfully blended and the band has a field-day in the notes, ‘a prime example of his skill in taking a very simple idea and turbulent moments. This track also features superb solo cornet playing doing an enormous amount with it.’ Elgar Howarth wrote In Memoriam from Richard Marshall and soprano cornet, Paul Duffy. RK in 1976 as a personal reaction to the sudden death of the conductor, The recording is of the highest quality (the names of John Maines and Rudolf Kempe. It is a beautifully-written pastiche of Wagner, Mahler and Richard Scott guaranteeing excellence in this department) and this CD Richard Strauss, referencing Kempe’s specialities. Philip Wilby’s Paganini will make an ideal Christmas gift for those who like brass band music with Variations, written in 1990, is an evergreen of the repertoire and remains a contemporary flavour. Unreservedly recommended! a favourite with players and audiences. Finally, Edward Gregson’s Rococo Rodney Newton Variations of 2008, his epic return to the brass band movement, again deliberately references other works, paying tribute to a number of brass band composers. Foden’s is first-class throughout, with Glyn Williams and Mark Wilkinson leading from the front. The solo playing is faultless, with the cornet and euphonium duet in Variations on a Ninth being one of the highlights of the disc. The musical climaxes to all three pieces, particularly the Gregson,

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 27

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 27 25-11-2009 12:43:23 Th inking about making a recording?

1,000 CDs - 8 page full colour booklet - recorded and edited by Doyen's elite team of engineers and producers.

Our friendly and professional team will guide you from conception to delivery of your CDs with our free brochure with tips on how to make a successful fundraising recording. Recordings from £2,500 - easy repayments available

Wherever the best quality is required, you will fi nd Doyen. Truly the ultimate in brass recordings. In short a state-of-the-art Custom built, digital mobile recording studio

Guiding you through the settings would be our experienced team of broadcaster and producer John Maines, and making your band sound to its full potential, our qualifi ed engineer with over 25 years of experience, Richard Scott.

THIS COULD BE YOUR CD

Send for your free Doyen brochure or contact Alison Childs on 01457 820138.

Doyen Recordings Ltd. P.O. Box 42, Denshaw, Saddleworth, Oldham. OL3 5WQ Tel 01457 820138 website: www.doyenmobile.com email: [email protected] RECORDINGS

Cornets (B flat) £ Amati (silver-plate) student model, as new Used 250.00 Besson Prestige (lacquer) 2003 build Used 750.00 Besson Sovereign 927 (lacquer) medium-large bore Used 775.00 Getzen Custom 850 (silver-plate) some plating wear Used 800.00 York Preference 3028 (lacquer) as new Ex-demo 1,300.00 York Eminence 4028 (silver-plate) as new Ex-demo 1,730.00 Flugelhorns Getzen Capri (lacquer) trigger on 1st, cosmetically poor Used 290.00 Weril K971 (lacquer) approximately 2 years of use Used 400.00 Courtois AC155 (silver-plate) triggers on 1st and 3rd Used 975.00 Tenor Horns B&H (silver-plate) old model converted from high pitch Used 150.00 Elkhart (lacquer) student model Ex-demo 199.00 Courtois 180 (silver-plate) 5 years old, very good condition Used 995.00 York Preference 3049 (lacquer) no trigger Ex-demo 1,890.00 York Preference 3049 (silver-plate) no trigger Ex-demo 1,890.00 York Preference 3050 (lacquer) with trigger Ex-demo 2,100.00 INSTRUMENT Baritones Jupiter JBR-462 (lacquer) Used 300.00 Sterling (silver-plate) about 10 years old Used 975.00 York Prescience 362 (silver-plate) 3-valve Ex-demo 1,080.00 OFFERS York Preference 3055 (lacquer) 3-valve Ex-demo 2,200.00 York Preference 3056 (lacquer) 4-valve Ex-demo 3,050.00 Euphoniums Corton (lacquer) 3-valve student model Used 230.00 Jupiter JEP-570L (lacquer) 4-valve, non-compensating Used 775.00 New, used and ex-demonstration brass instruments Besson Imperial (lacquer) 4-valve, 1972 build Used 1,000.00 at attractive prices. Courtois 267 (lacquer) approx. 4 years old Used 1,900.00 Tenor Trombones (B flat/F) Corton medium bore Used 300.00 Prices include workshop check and set-up, Yamaha YSL-852 medium bore, 1984 build Used 350.00 delivery and VAT. B&H Sovereign large bore, 1985 build Used 500.00 Jupiter JSL636L large bore, open wrap Ex-demo 799.00 Conn 88H Special offer, reduced from £1,895.00 New 1,695.00 Bass Trombones Bach 50B30 Used 1,100.00 Besson BE943R 2001 build, 10½-inch bell, Hagmann rotors Used 1,400.00 Tubas (E flat) Courtois 181 (lacquer) 4-valve Used 2,500.00 rosehillinstruments.co.uk Courtois 181 (lacquer) 4-valve New 3,350.00 Besson Sovereign 982 (lacquer) 2004 build Used 3,850.00 64 London End, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2JD Showroom: (01494) 671717 Mail Order: (01494) 685131 Tubas (B flat) B&H Imperial (silver-plate) 4-valve, 19-inch bell, 1979 model Used 1,800.00 Email: [email protected] Besson Sovereign BE994 (lacquer) Used 2,100.00 York Preference 3094 (lacquer or silver-plate) 4-valve Ex-demo 4,995.00

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 28

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 28 25-11-2009 12:43:32 REVIEWS

horn, Oren Marshall on tuba and Tristan Fry on percussion, so it will come Heritage Series Vol. 1 as no surprise to readers that some of the playing is quite magnificent. Music from the 1930s Winter from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is probably the finest example, with The International Staff Band the technically demanding passages in the outer movements made to conducted by Dr. Stephen Cobb sound very straightforward indeed, thanks to playing and recording of a SP&S SPS 249 CD characteristically high standard throughout. Available from World of Brass, This is one of a set of four themed discs from London Brass that are Midland CD and 4barsrest currently being promoted by Warner, but if the others come anywhere close the quality of this one, they will be well worth considering as an While the pieces in this collection addition to the collection of any brass enthusiast. may be more familiar to those within Kenneth Crookston Salvation Army (SA) circles than to those outside, the contents of this album is likely to represent something of a voyage of discovery. The programme largely features the music of Eric Ball and Erik Leidzén, with Ball’s The Old Wells and Triumph of Peace (in a Maurice André strongly-committed performance) rubbing shoulders with lesser known Edition pieces (to us outside the SA, that is) such as Sound out the Proclamation Concertos 1 and 2 (an attractive theme-and-variations with a fanfare-like opening) and Maurice André the tripartite Praise and Exaltation with its skillfully woven textures. Erik Warner Classics and Jazz Leidzén is represented by three items for soloists - The Cleansing Stream 2564 69572-2 and 2564 69066-6 (a duet for two cornets, given a stylish rendering here by Gary Fountain Available from Warner Classics and and Kevin Ashman), Song of the Brother with Derick Kane as an eloquent Jazz (see advertisement on page 30) euphonium soloist and A Never Failing Friend, which features The International Staff Band’s excellent principal trombonist, Andrew Justice. Among the most welcome of Christmas Along with these is a piece by Australian composer, Arthur Gullidge, gifts to land on this reviewer’s desk who lost his life in World War II, his bright march, Southern Australia, this year is a pair of boxed sets featuring performances by the legendary reminding us of this sad loss to Salvationist music making. Bramwell Coles French trumpet virtuoso, Maurice André. Warner Classics and Jazz really was rather conservative in his approach to composition, but his Bravest has gone the extra mile with these collections, which feature recordings of the Brave comes across as a craftsman-like piece, while A Sunbeam of made between 1962 and 1985, containing virtually every Baroque and Philip Catalinet is a delight, being a set of variations illustrative of a day in Classical trumpet concerto or concertante work that any brass enthusiast the life of a child. The programme is completed with Great and Glorious, has ever heard of! a tone poem by George Marshall (a former Tyneside miner who was With more than half a day’s worth of listening (each set contains six paralysed for life in a pit accident) in which he includes references to two discs), one may imagine that listening to the two entire collections in of his own songs. one go may become a bit of a chore, but those familiar with ‘le grande All the pieces are given thoroughly idiomatic performances by Stephen trompettiste de notre temps’ will know that no one has ever produced a Cobb and The International Staff Band and the album includes a sound that encompassed such a combination of sweetness and vibrancy, conversation between Dr. Cobb and Lt. Col. Dr. Ray Steadman-Allen so it was with some eagerness that this reviewer repeatedly found himself (author of the informative booklet notes). As a survey of Salvationist reaching to insert the next CD in the sequence into his player. music of the 1930s, this collection is a very valuable one for anyone With works by Alberti, Albinoni, J.S. Bach, Bellini, Biscolli, Bononcini, interested in the history of Salvation Army music, but it can also be Chédeville, Fasch, De Fesch, Fischer, Graupner, Hamal, Handel, Joseph thoroughly recommended to anyone whose taste in brass band music lies Haydn, Michael Haydn, Hertel, Hummel, Loeilet, Molter, Leopold Mozart, in melody and traditional harmony. W.A. Mozart, Neruda, Purcell, Stölzel, Tartini, Telemann, Tessarini, Torelli, Rodney Newton Valentini, Veracini, Vivaldi and Zipoli, the soloist is accompanied by some of the world’s most renowned orchestras, including the Academy of St. Christmas with Martin in the Fields (Sir Neville Marriner), the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris (Jean Pierre Wallez), the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra (Frigyes Sándor) London Brass and the Munich Pro Arte Orchestra (Kurt Redel). Such a stellar line-up of London Brass repertoire and performers speaks for itself, and it is sufficient to say that directed by Roger Harvey this is vintage Maurice André throughout. There could be any number of Warner Classics and Jazz 2565 reasons for purchasing such a collection, but any budding trumpet player 68618-0 (or player of any brass instrument) who receives this in their Christmas Available from Warner Classics and stocking will have a priceless collection that will provide a lifetime of Jazz (see advertisement on page 30) pleasure and inspiration. Absolutely outstanding in every respect. Kenneth Crookston If you are looking for an enjoyable recording of Christmas music to delight your friends and neighbours this year, you could do no better than to revisit this recording from 1990 by London Brass, which has just been To Serve the re-launched on the Warner Classics and Jazz label. Featuring many of the popular seasonal favourites like O come all ye faithful, Ding, dong! Present Age Sunderland Monkwearmouth Band merrily on high, Away in a manger, Coventry Carol, In dulce jubilo, The first SP&S SPS 237 CD Nowell, Stille Nacht and Joy to the World, it is, perhaps, the lesser-known Available from World of Brass, works on the disc that provide the most musical satisfaction, such as the Midland CD and 4barsrest tasteful and attractive arrangements of Es ist ein Ros’ entsprugen, Veni, veni, Evolving some 125 years ago from a Emanuel and Quem pastores laudavere by Roger Harvey, Leslie Pearson modest assembly of 13 men (mostly and Simon Wills respectively. coal miners and shipyard workers who London Brass boasts, as always, a pretty impressive line-up, including had little knowledge of music), Sunderland Monkwearmouth Band has Mark Bennett, Andrew Crowley and Robert Farley on trumpet, Lindsay long held a well deserved reputation as one of The Salvation Army’s Shilling, David Purser and David Stewart on trombone, Frank Lloyd on

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 29

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 29 25-11-2009 12:43:59 Maurice André on Warner Classics

First two volumes in a major reissue series collecting all of Maurice André’s Erato recordings. Both volumes available now, with further volumes to follow in 2010

77 trumpet concertos and concertante works across 12CDs by:

Giuseppe Matteo Alberti · Tomaso Albinoni · JS Bach Vincenzo Bellini · Francesco Biscogli · Giovanni Bononcini Nicolas Chédeville · Johann Friedrich Fasch · Willem De Fesch Johann Christian Fischer · Christoph Graupner · Henri Hamal George Frideric Handel · Joseph Haydn · Michael Haydn Johann Wilhelm Hertel · Johann Nepomuk Hummel Jacques Loeillet · Johann Melchior Molter · Leopold Mozart WA Mozart · Johann Baptist Georg Neruda Henry Purcell · Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel · Giuseppe Tartini Georg Philipp Telemann · Carlo Tessarini · Giuseppe Torelli Giuseppe Valentini · Francesco Maria Veracini Antonio Vivaldi · Domenico Zipoli 2564 69572-2

Maurice André Edition ‘It is no exaggeration to say that during the last half-century Vol.1 – Concertos 1 Maurice André (b.1933) has had no competition as a trumpet 6 CD soloist. His greatest legacy lies in the Erato catalogue: a prolific series of recordings that covers the majority of established instrumental composers of the Baroque and early Classical periods…The reappearance of these recordings in such comprehensive formats (the majority appear on CD for the first time) reminds us how this supreme instrumentalist, perhaps unwittingly, lured an unsuspecting public to admire a solo trumpet as they would any other concerto instrument… Erato billed Maurice André as “Le Grand Trompettiste de Notre Temps”, not just because he could play better than any of his contemporaries but because of his influence; he gave the public music that was largely unknown and yet sounded somehow familiar, resonating so essentially in the most fertile and recognisable traditions of the instrument, namely the opulent and lyrical world of the mature.’ 2564 69066-6

Maurice André Edition (Taken from the booklet essay by Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Vol.2 – Concertos 2 6 CD trumpet player and Principal of the Royal Academy, London)

All titles available from www.warnerclassicsandjazz.com and good record suppliers

BRITISH BANDSMANMarketed and distributed PAGE by30 Warner Classics & Jazz UK. A division of Warner Music UK. Warner Music UK Ltd, Warner Classics & Jazz, Griffin House, 3rd Floor, 161 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8BS. Telephone: 020 8563 5241. Fax: 020 8563 6226. www.warnerclassicsandjazz.com

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 30 25-11-2009 12:44:07 REVIEWS

outstanding corps bands. This CD was recorded to commemorate those in James Curnow’s He Leadeth Me. 125 years of music making, a heritage that all 45 present-day members The ISB again takes centre stage with Peter Graham’s The Dawning. Based of the band are proud to maintain. The CD opens with the march, Light- on Joy Webb’s song There Will Be God and reflecting on the dawning bringer, from the pen of Martin Cordner, three of whose compositions of a new day, the music includes Morning has Broken, My Lord What a find their way onto this recording, the others being Sweetest Name and Morning before finally returning to the main theme. The Ireland Division Celebration Overture (the longest work in this collection). Timbrelists restart the programme with a classic SA march, Celebration. Joe Beattie has been an established cornet soloist for some time, and he The group wears yellow red and blue tee-shirts, with the Territorial Music is featured here in The Amazing Mr Leidzén, a potpourri of solos composed School A band accompanying this item. by the great Erik Leidzén, which has been put together by John Spowart The ISS takes the stage for its final bow with the beautiful Norman and adapted by Peter Graham. However, one of the more intriguing Bearcroft arrangement of The Christ of Calvary and the Richard Philips pieces on this album is St. Clements Variations, a rarely heard work from song, Let All Things Praise, which captures the power of the occasion from the pen of Erik Silfverberg who, although being better known for his start to finish. Dance like David shows the ISB at its best in fast, energetic swing arrangements, presents us here with an attractive set of variations. playing combined with a sense of fun and enjoyment. The Festival A Salvation Army band recording would not be complete without a Chorus’s final contribution is Lift Up Your Voice and Sing and My Simple classic street march, and this comes in the form of The Liberator by George Prayer. Marshall (who was a resident of neighbouring South Shields). Other This DVD certainly manages to capture the SA in all its glory and its highlights include Prelude to a New Day by Harold Burgmayer, William content should appeal to the general public. Maybe some commentary Himes’ festival fanfare, St. Francis’, and the band’s signature tune, The or better linkage between the items would have helped the flow a little Wearmouth March. more. Despite the absence of a major work, this recording is a welcome addition Ian Dickie to the CD collection of anyone interested in Salvation Army band music and is an appropriate snapshot of the rich heritage of this corps band. Andrew Wainwright Classically Enfield Enfield Citadel Band SP&S SPS 256 CD Let Everything Available from World of Brass, Midland CD and 4barsrest Praise For those with any background or 2009 Gospel Arts Concert interest in Salvation Army brass music, Carol Jaudes (vocalist); a new recording from Enfield Citadel The International Staff Band; Band is one that always figures on The International Staff Songsters; the ‘must hear’ list. Classically Enfield Territorial Music School A Band; is the first recording under recently- Ireland Division Timbralists; appointed Bandmaster, Jonathan Corry, a Belfast-born Salvationist who Festival Songsters studied conducting with James Gourlay at the Royal Northern College World of Brass WOB 137 DVD of Music. Now settled in London, Jonathan has been conductor of the Available from World of Brass, band since January 2009 and here directs it through a wealth of classical Midland CD and 4barsrest transcriptions made by Salvation Army arrangers. Psalm 150 states that we should praise First up, Ronald Holz’s expert arrangement of Dukas’ Fanfare from La God ‘with the sound of the trumpet, Peri, in which the bright and robust sounds of the band reach out of the with tambourine and dancing’. This speakers and grab the listener. There are two overtures featured on this was the theme for the 2009 Gospel Arts recording, Mozart’s The Magic Flute (arranged by Michael Kenyon) and the Concert and the variety of music, movement and drama is captured in Berlioz favourite, Beatrice and Benedict (arranged by Keith Wilkinson), both this DVD. of which receive insightful readings from the conductor. The International Staff Band (ISB) under Dr. Stephen Cobb is on good A real plus point of this CD for many will be the welcoming of two guest form with a vibrant overture by Martin Cordner, Let Everything Praise. soloists: Dudley Bright, principal trombone of the London Symphony The Broadway actress, Carol Jaudes, then performs three items which Orchestra, and Chris Deacon, a highly successful freelance trumpeter on add colour and fun to the concert, the first being taken from a musical the London circuit. Chris performs the famous Haydn Trumpet Concerto based on Samuel Logan Brengle’s My Army Cap, in which she is dressed and Mozart’s Queen of the Night’s Aria, while Dudley presents Guilmant’s as Brengle in an old fashioned Salvation Army uniform, joined by the ISB Morceau Symphonique, Gounod’s Lend Me Your Aid and Handel’s Sound an and The International Staff Songsters (ISS). Later, she demonstrates her Alarm, all of which receive customary impeccable performances from the dramatic talents by featuring a section from The World’s Greatest Romance, soloists with sympathetic backing from the band. which portrays the work of Evangeline Booth and her passion for The Salvation Army and love of her father, William Booth. Carol Jaudes’ final A highlight for this listener is the performance of Fibich’s Poem for its contribution is The Tale of Three Trees in which she uses a white satin scarf delicate and subtle delivery. If there is a slight criticism of the recording, as a boat sail, cradle clothing and the cross of Calvary. it would be the occasionally over-forceful playing from some areas of The Festival Chorus is made up of 700 singers from across the British Isles the band, although absent from this track, which is topped off by some who unite to sing a selection from the popular musical, Godspell. The deliciously ‘sugary’ soprano playing from Tim Buckle. Another track to item was enhanced by Croydon Citadel Dance Group which creates a listen out for is Ray Steadman-Allen’s masterful transcription of Themes wonderful final picture of the cross. from the New World Symphony by Dvorak: an arrangement more bands should look into acquiring for their repertoire. The ISS also shows its versatility by performing the contrasting songs, the reflective Love Divine, followed by the upbeat Rock-a my Soul. With further music from Handel and arrangements of works by Steven Ponsford’s Turris Fortissima was a great choice by the Territorial Mendelssohn and Bach, this CD is an excellent representation of the many Music School ‘A’ Band, and one that brought some excellent individual classical transcriptions available in The Salvation Army’s journals, and as playing from the young folk. Andrew Blyth conducts the chorus in his such makes this recording well worth your consideration. own composition, Rock the World with Freedom, and also directs the group John Ward

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 31

BB 26-27-29-30-31.indd 31 25-11-2009 12:44:25 O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM

For centuries, composers have been inspired by the text of the beautiful O Magnum Mysterium, (O Great Mystery), which depicts the birth of the new–born King. Morten Lauridsen’s setting is infused with tenderness and refinement and is a deeply spiritual piece, rich in colour and intensely moving.

This arrangement, by Phillip Littlemore, skilfully exploits the rich sonorous sound of the brass band. It is ideal for both Christmas and general concert use.





 
  
  

 
  

 


 

 
 

0-571-56992-7 O Magnum Mysterium (score and parts) £19.99

Available from all good brass band stockists or, in case of difficulty, from Faber Music at the address below

Faber Music Limited, Burnt Mill, Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex CM20 2HX Telephone: 01279 828982 [email protected] www.fabermusic.com


(
Ultra &"! & !&%"
$ 
* %'

$
!
%
%
( !(

$ $
&%
(%

( '#
!&%#
$"

!#
#!& 
&"
  $#"#
 #
# 

 "!#% %
'!"  % 
&"! &
!&%"
$ 
'
$+$
,
 
 

!#
$+$
%!
!!(

(
Heritage !&%"
!#
 !# !#
,
&%% 

#$$
% !!*
$ &$
%!
#%
%$
&%&
!&%#
$"  $"#
*
 %
 %&#*
!# $
(
$+$ '


%!
%
# 
(
!( ! "#$$






 

*
 '
) %
""
! %#!
 
*
$

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 32

BB 32-33.indd 32 25-11-2009 12:39:07 COMPANY NEWS A World of difference with World of Sound by John Ward The news that two of its recordings, Maestro and Salt of the Earth had won each of the British Bandsman Recordings of the Year awards was received with great delight recently by World of Sound, the producers of both projects. Speaking to BB, Department Manager, Nicki Seager commented: “This is fantastic news for us and we are extremely proud to have won not just one but two awards!” Formerly B&H Recordings, World of Sound has now completed its first full calendar year under its new name and in its new premises in Wellingborough, and this double success in the BB awards caps a year of real significance for the Company. The start of 2009 saw it undertake a recording with the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band entitled Kingdom of Dragons. as well as the touring Fountain City Brass’ latest disc as they did in the studio.” The band was directed by Philip Harper who recording as recently as last week. As well as being the star of the Salt of the Earth told BB: “I’ve always found World of Sound to At the heart of the Maestro project was CD, Les Neish was also involved in the Maestro be the perfect collaborator in CD production - Bramwell Tovey, as composer, conductor and project as principal tuba of Foden’s, so he has from total professionalism during the session, performer. He spoke in glowing terms about much experience of working with the World of to a ‘can do’ attitude to post-production and, of this project and other Foden’s work with World Sound team. “Producing Salt of the Earth really course, a truly superb quality end product.” of Sound, he told BB: “Working with the superb was a fantastic experience,” he commented, As the year progressed, the work continued team at World of Sound was a great pleasure. adding, “The team’s attention to detail coupled with a number of projects, including Classically The care and devotion to artistic excellence with their relaxed nature made it easy to Enfield (reviewed on page 31), the ISB for was second to none with no detail too small for produce some great music in the recording The Peter Graham Collection (nominated in their attention. The artistry and skills of Brian sessions.” our awards), the video post-production of Hillson and Adam Goldsmith ensured that the If you would like more details on working with the European Championships, Cory 125th performances of Joe Alessi, Mark Fewer and World of Sound on a future project, contact Anniversary Concert and Brass in Concert DVDs, Foden’s Band sound every bit as thrilling on Nicki Seager on 01933 445430.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 33

BB 32-33.indd 33 25-11-2009 12:39:08 COUNTERPOINT Something for every bra Whether you are shopping for a friend or relative, or just want to escap the perfect presents for every

It’s Christmas Day, the Christmas pudding has been eaten and the first board game argument has already erupted - time to seek solace with a World of Brass DVD! Escape to Ostend and revel in the world class performances given on the European Brass Band Championships 2009 DVD, or allow your jaw to be dropped by Wycliffe Gordon’s playing on Brass, Voices…and all that Jazz, the celebration concert for Cory’s 125th anniversary. See www.worldofbrass.com for more details.

Want to carry your instrument around in style? www.gigsbagsgalore.com has options for every instrument from cornet, throughout the whole brass band, all the way to items for the percussion section. There are over 30 options for cornets alone, so plenty of scope to find that perfect gig bag!

Do you want to be a part of it? New York, New York is the new release from the New York Staff Band under the leadership of Ronald Waiksnoris. The Sinatra title track is arranged by Goff Richards, while you can also hear a new transcription of Verdi’s famous Dies Irae by Peter Graham, and the same arranger’s own concert march The Ambassadors. Also available is the rapidly developing Greater New York Youth Band CD called Vitae Aeternum. See Triumphonic Reproductions advert on page 4 for more details. Start spreading the news!

Band Supplies is the official supplier to Black Dyke and Brighouse and Rastrick Bands. Based in both Leeds and Glasgow, the company is a real supporter of banding in the UK. Why not contact its team on 0141 339 9400 (Glasgow) or 0113 2453097 (Leeds) to find out the latest deals on all things brass! Band Supplies also has a recently refurbished website at www.band-supplies.co.uk

If only our chops could last as long as the never- ending turkey we seem to be finishing three weeks later! Yamaha Silent Brass allows you practise for that little bit longer: simply plug in the Silent Brass mute to the small amplifier system, pop the headphones and play away to your heart’s content. Perfect for blocking out those boisterous carol singers on your doorstep! Check out www.yahama. com/band or contact your local brass retailer.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 34

BB 34-35.indd 34 25-11-2009 12:48:52 COUNTERPOINT rass fan this Christmas cape the hustle-bustle of the season, BB’s John Ward has discovered ery brass fan this Christmas!

Want to sound like Steven Mead? Sadly, there is no easy route to that goal, but finding the right mouthpiece will certainly help you along the path. Steven Mead has developed a new range of mouthpieces with Denis Wick Products called the SM Ultra range. Available in both gold and silver and in two different sizes, the SM ultra range is designed to aid clear projection, the production of a warm tone and give enhanced production and articulation, as well as increased flexibility throughout the range. See www.deniswick.com or telephone 01202 665100 for more information.

Is your band looking for a new and exciting project for next year? How about making a recording? It’s a great way to develop your band musically and raise those all-important funds! Doyen Recordings has been producing superb recordings for over 20 years and its talented production team has many more years of combined expertise. Why not contact Alison Childs on 01457 820138 today and start piecing the recording ‘jigsaw’ together?

When looking for a new instrument, think Rosehill! It has Besson Prestige cornets, Getzen flugels, York baritones, Conn trombones and Courtois basses, and that is only a small selection from the available range! Contact the Rosehill team for its expert advice today on 01494 671717 or see www.rosehillinstruments.co.uk

Hear a master at work! Take a look at the newly released collection of re-mastered recordings by the legendary trumpeter Maurice André. With 77 concertos and over 12 hours worth of listening, you will have plenty of chance to find out why he is regarded as one of the finest brass musicians in the world. Read BB editor, Kenneth Crookston’s review on page 29, and details on where to purchase this famous collection can be found on page 30.

Everything the brass player needs at www.brassaccessories.co.uk. From instruments to cleaning brushes, from mouthpieces to care kits and from tuners to slide grease, www.brassaccessories.co.uk has got the leading brands for you. Its team tells us that the only time its phone is switched off is during band practise! Contact this




  
 



  



 


   dedicated team for all your brass playing items on 07790 676195. 
  

 


!"

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 35

BB 34-35.indd 35 25-11-2009 12:50:24 2009 BRASS IN CONCERT Brass in Concert ‘fringe’ events by Kenneth Crookston

With the serious business of the Brass in and tenor horn respectively. Furthermore, who very evidently got to know their students Concert Championship now off the radar for Sue, who is a primary school teacher, has set quickly and built up an immediate rapport. another year, it is perhaps appropriate to take a up a school band at Crawshawbooth Primary, All-in-all, we had another wonderful day and I look back at some of the more uplifting aspects Rawtenstall in Lancashire, and has formed would encourage anyone looking for a great of what has, in the past five years, become one working relationships with three local bands experience to join us next year.” of the most important weekends on the brass - Stacksteads, Bacup and Rossendale - all as a band calendar. result of meeting Dave and myself.” This year’s tutors, supported by York Saturday morning (14th) at The Sage Gateshead Instruments, Michael Rath Trombones and brought the tentative but often encouraging Returning to the stand for a second year was Shaw Trust, were Richard Marshall and Alex sounds of new players blowing into instruments eight year-old Alexander Richardson and his Kerwin (cornets), Brett Baker (trombones), on the concourse, as the Taster Sessions got friend, Susie. Last year, Alexander, who suffers David Thornton (euphoniums and baritones), under way under the guidance of from a hearing impairment, was brought to Joe Cook (basses), Alison Childs (horns), Paul John Woods of Shaw Trust, supported by a The Sage by his grandmother, June Richardson. Lovatt-Cooper (percussion) and Tina Mortimer, small team of brass trainers, with a focus on John Woods continued: “This year, Alexander’s who looked after the elementary players. Work encouraging young people and visitors to ‘have parents, Ceri and Grant, who also have hearing was done on the music selected by Professor a go’ on a brass instrument. difficulties, came along to meet Dave and Nicholas Childs for the Concourse Concert, John, himself a euphonium player with Phoenix myself, and it is encouraging to know that Alex which included Eric Osterling’s timeless classic, Brass (Crewkerne), was ably assisted by Dave is having music lessons each week at The Sage, Bandology, Leroy Anderson’s Buglers Holiday, Coles, also of Phoenix, Gary Hutchinson while the intention is for the three generations Gaelforce by Peter Graham and a special (Barnard Castle) and Stuart Ralph, using the full of Alex, Grant and June to have lessons, which is arrangement of Praise my Soul by the late John range of instruments kindly supplied by John really remarkable.” Childs. Rogers of York Instruments, whose help and John Woods further commented: “The adaptability in enabling this feature of the Brass Earlier on the bright, sunny Saturday morning, Workshops were a massive success, with in Concert weekend was much appreciated participants could be seen making their way students and tutors immediately gelling. by all. Speaking to BB about the growing to The Sage in readiness for the Brass and The atmosphere was focussed, friendly and success of the Taster Sessions, a delighted John Percussion Workshops, the first step being sociable, and it was clear that students gained Woods commented: “This formula has already registration and allocation of tutors. The much from the event that concluded initially produced a number of true progressions by experienced Alan Hope was administrator with a Workshop band rehearsal and then the visitors to the Taster Sessions at previous Brass for the workshops and he commented that Concourse Concert. This also included a special in Concert events. This year, Barry and Sue Flint the organising committee’s initial concern feature by the elementary group coached by from Lancashire took part in the Workshops that “there would be no cornets and 76 Tina Mortimer, some of whom have only been and Concourse Concert, having attended the trombones” proved not be the case! Alan Hope playing a few weeks. They named themselves Taster Sessions and had a go at blowing for the added: “We had a balanced set of participants Tina’s Legends, and this is surely where the very first time only two years ago, but they were covering all instruments and very soon the 65 future of banding lies. We must continue to inspired enough to take up lessons on baritone participants were introduced to their tutors, develop the natural talent and enthusiasm of

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 36

BB 36-37A.indd 36 25-11-2009 12:52:57 2009 BRASS IN CONCERT ts continue to grow in stature

these young people.” most enjoyable feature of this year’s Festival. left the audience shouting for more from this The Concourse Concert brought the Workshops The band, under the masterly and enthusiastic thoroughly well-presented and curiously British- to a conclusion and drew a large and baton of Chris Jeans, featured a programme of sounding band. appreciative audience, with many peering light music, much of it the ‘big band’ style, and over the split levels of The Sage to gain a birds one gets the impression that Youth Brass 2000 Cory’s contribution was perhaps a bit low-key eye view. Many of the students were from could carry off almost anything it puts its mind in comparison to many of the band’s exploits the local area, but others had travelled much to. While its performance on the Saturday was this year, but in Philip Sparke’s opener, Hail further, including the Chapman brothers from truly excellent, the sight and sound of Youth the Dragon, one could hear that the band was Aberdeen and Sam Broddison (cornet) from Brass 2000 playing Peter Graham’s The Call of as clean and tight as ever. Peter Graham’s Belfast. He and his father had travelled across the Cossacks, without the benefit of any sheet Sirocco introduced Joanne Childs as the flugel the Irish Sea early on Saturday morning and music and with substantial choreography, at soloist, while Gavin Pritchard’s virtuosity was were attending the gala concert and contest the conclusion of Sunday’s contest was quite there for all to see in Helter Skelter. Steven with a plan to return early on Monday morning remarkable. This is perhaps the only aspect Ponsford’s Turris Fortissima prepared the way to get Sam back in school for 9.00am (at least, of the weekend that doesn’t quite garner the for Black Dyke to make its first appearance on so his dad said!) public support that it deserves; 200 or so in the Brass in Concert stage and, while much a large hall is less than enough for a vibrant of its programme was familiar to regular As a major partner in Brass in Concert, Shaw atmosphere. However, it is to be hoped that listeners, it is also fair to say that the National Trust was keen to gain maximum exposure the organisers continue to invite the Action Champion provided arguably the finest for its work, and John Woods added: “During Research Youth Entertainment Champions in overall performance of the entire weekend. Sunday’s contest, Shaw Trust Employment the years ahead, especially if they are going to One of the highlights of the second half was Services representatives, Mary Freeman and match the standards of Youth Brass 2000. the appearance of BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Caroline Dryden (from the Gateshead office), Musician of 2009, Stephen Sykes, who played hosted a stand in The Sage foyer, welcoming Finally, to the World of Brass in Concert gala, with great aplomb in his dynamic performance visitors from throughout the UK and Europe. which took place before a packed audience on of Peter Graham’s Brasilia, which he followed They were joined by John McKinstray from the Saturday night, and if there was anyone with Ray Farr’s tasteful arrangement of Why Did Middlesbrough, who has recently started a who had any doubts about Dr. Joe Parisi and I Choose You? This is a young man with a very new project in the North-East called Digital Fountain City Brass Band’s chances at the bright future indeed, and his virtuoso tubist Champions, aimed at musicians and especially following day’s contest, they were well and truly father, Steve, can rarely have been more proud those who teach, with participants attending a dispelled within the first few bars of the finale to see the family tradition of outstanding solo series of workshops on various digital topics like from Tchaikovsky’s Little Russian Symphony. playing carried on in such style. video, animation, imaging, digital story telling, Flugel horn soloist, Matthew Vangjel, showed Philip Wilby’s arrangement of Saint-Saëns’ digital audio and digital music.” outstanding control in Harold Arlen’s Over Organ Symphony closed the programme, the Rainbow (he was on equally good form although the encore - a quick romp through Youth Brass in Concert, this year featuring the on Sunday, taking home the prize for best William Tell - sent the thoroughly satisfied remarkable Youth Brass 2000, was another flugel), while the band’s finisher, Malaguena, audience home with a smile on its face.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 37

BB 36-37A.indd 37 25-11-2009 12:53:25 WIRELESSFEATURE BRASS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

LEIGH ANTHONY PHILLIPS. BA Mus. Composer, Arranger. KEVIN WADSWORTH. Musical Director, Conductor, We take every possible precaution to ensure the accuracy of Arrangements made by request, especially film music. Adjudicator, ABBA. Wheatfield Cottage, Smithy Place, the details given below. However, we cannot be responsible for Sherwood Music, Flat 1, Bolgoed Rd, Pontardulais, Swansea, Brockholes, Holmfirth. HD9 7AH. Tel. 01484 666805 (home); changes to stated times or running order. West Glamorgan, SA4 8JE Tel: 07929 528226, 07836 511357 (mobile). E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Friday, 4 December, 2130-2200. BBC Radio 2 ROGER B. WEBSTER. 92 Bence Lane, Darton, Barnsley, South Listen to the Band. Aveley and Newham is one of the top bands in the RICHARD PHILLIPS. Dip RCM, ARCM. Conductor, Adjudicator, Yorkshire. S75 5DA. Tel/Fax 01226 388806. Composer, Arranger. 161 Butland Road South East of England. With conductor Nigel Taken, the band has won Mobile 07973 157907 Oakley Vale, Corby, Northants, NN18 8FN Email. [email protected]. numerous competitions and tonight plays music especially recorded Tel:Tel: 01536 741447 Mob: (07905) 383645. for the programme. Internationally acclaimed euphonium player, E-mail: [email protected] MELVIN WHITE. GLCM, LTCL, ARCM, Conductor and Derrick Kane, plays the famous Bravura by Peter Graham, and the band Adjudicator. 25 Sinclair Way, Darenth, Nr Dartford, Kent DA2 7JS. Tel. (01322) 293230 (home). 07802 796630 (mobile). contributes the same composer’s A Fantasy of British Folk Songs. The STEVE PRITCHARD-JONES. FTCL LTCL DipMusEd G.Mus programme opens with one of the most famous of all contest marches: LDBBA QTS. Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher DENNIS WILBY. Conductor and Adjudicator. “Marden” 83 Mephistopheles by Shipley Douglas. Presented by Frank Renton. 12 Greenacre Road, Copthorne, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Lion House Park, Mill Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2SE. SY3 8LR. Tel: 01743 270489 07834 855064 Email: Tel/Fax. (01323) 449083. [email protected] (Mobile) 07762 889520. Listen to the Band is also available all week via Radio 2’s website www. Web: www.stevepritchardjones.com E-mail: [email protected] bbc.co.uk/radio2. Click on the playback section to hear the show, on DR. KEITH M. WILKINSON. 4120 Meadow Knoll Road, demand, for a week following transmission. DAVID READ MBE. FLCM, FTCL, LRAM. Conductor and Delaware, OH 43015, USA. Adjudicator. 19 Arundel Road, Hartford, Huntingdon, Cambs. Tel./FAx. 00 1 740 879 3789. World of Brass Radio. John Maines introduces a weekly one-hour PE29 1YW. Tel. (01480) 451252. www.alumcreekmusic.com programme of the best of international banding. Commencing on E-mail: [email protected] JOHN ROBERTS. conductor, adjudicator Fridays, the rolling programme of the most recent four shows can be (member of ABBA) 17 Belfry Court, Outwood, Wakefield WF1 JOHN WINTERFLOOD. ARCM, LGSM, Conductor and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year on 3TY Tel 01924 871413 mobile 0773 672 1939 Adjudicator. 103 Drove Road, Swindon, Wilts. SN1 3AE Tel. www.worldofbrass.com (then click on the WOB Radio link) or www. email [email protected] (01793) 421511. worldofbrass.com/wobradio CHRISTOPHER WORMALD. Conductor, Adjudicator, ROY ROE. Conductor, Adjudicator, Rienzi, Arranger, Horn Soloist, ‘Steinbach’ 42 Sandileigh Drive, This week’s programme includes: Foden’s (Howard Snell): Midwest 72 Thorne Grove, Rothwell, Leeds, LS26 0HE. Sandfield Park, Bolton BL1 8UF. Tel/Fax. (01204) 307555. Tel. (01132) 822776 (home). E-mail: [email protected] (J.J. Richards); Leyland (Russell Gray): The Ruler of the Spirits (Weber); E-mail: [email protected] Grimethorpe (Richard Evans): Princess Alice (Bellstedt - soloist: Richard Marshall); Cory (Robert Childs): Hunt the Hare (Howarth); Todmorden PHIL RUSTON. ORGANISATIONS Old (Dennis Hadfield): Blessed Assurance (Knapp – soloist: Kate Storey); Brass Band CDs Enfield Citadel Band of The Salvation Army (Jonathan Corry): Themes www.cosbrass.co.uk BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN BANDS. Secretary: Mike Priscott, E-mail: info@the colourofspring.co.uk from the New World (Dvořák); Foden’s Motor Works (Fred Mortimer): 370 Bloomfield Rod. Bath BA2 2PD 01225 832041 Cleopatra (Damare - soloist: Harry Mortimer); Grimethorpe (Phillip Email: [email protected] JAMES SCOTT. BA. I Riverbank Road, Lower Heswall, Wirral, McCann): Gresford (Saint); Massed bands of Hanwell, St. Hilda’s, CH60 4SQ. Tel. 0151-342 5190. Lewisham and St. Pancras (James Oliver): Washington Grays (Graffulla); THE ASSOCIATION OF BRASS BAND ADJUDICATORS. Secretary: C. Brian Buckley, Foden’s (Garry Cutt): A Buffalo Bill Bonanza (Richards). MARK SCOTT. Composing and Arranging 81 Galbalfa Road, Sketty, Swansea. SA2 8ND. Telephone mobile: 07595917466 Tel: 01792 205896 Website: www.abbadjudicators.org.uk Local Radio for next week Email: [email protected] Sunday, 29 November, 1905-2000. Sounds of Brass. FM frequencies: Website: http://www.juicybrainsmusic.co.uk THE BRITISH FEDERATION OF BRASS BANDS. Bristol 94.9, Cornwall 95.2, Devon 103.4, Gloucestershire 104.7, National Office, Unit 12, Maple Estate, Stocks Lane, Barnsley, NIGEL G. SEAMAN. ARMCM, ARNCM, Conductor, Teacher and South Yorkshire. S75 2BL. Tel. (01226) 771015. Guernsey 93.2, Jersey 88.8, Swindon 103.6, Wiltshire 104.3. Adjudicator. 3 Garth View, Bedwas, Caerphilly, CF83 8EW. Tel. Fax: (01226) 771482. Website: www.bfbb.co.uk Available on the World Wide Web at 1905 British time or at any time for (02920) 851198 or Mobile. (07779) 329446. seven days after the broadcast. To hear the programme, access www. CHARLES CROSS MUSIC SCHOOL. Correspondence courses bbc.co.uk/devon and click onto Listen Live or Listen Again. ROY SPARKES. MISM, TECH(CEI) MIE, Conductor, Adjudicator, in arranging for brass band and BA (Hons) degree foundation course. Advanced tuition in all brass instruments. Telephone NABBC and ABBA member. Tony Evans on (01752) 263069 or 07966 370962. Phillip Hunt presents a programme of brass band recordings and news. 76 Lear Drive, Wistaston, Crewe, Cheshire, CW28DS. This week’s edition includes: Harrogate (David Lancaster): Arabian Tel. 01270-569290. Mobile. 07788 166777. EUROPEAN BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION. E-mail: [email protected] (Rimmer); Black Dyke (Nicholas Childs): Immortal (Lovatt-Cooper); Ulf E Rosenberg, President EBBA Mobile 47/92 86 63 00, Tel. O 47/51 50 18 26 Bellshill Band of The Salvation Army (Ian Dickie): Rhapsody for Cornet DENZIL STEPHENS/SARNIA. 12 The Meadows, St. Dennis, Øvre Strandgate 75 Fax O 47/51 89 30 05 (Bowes - soloist: Yvonne Ferguson); Foden’s (Garry Cutt): Serenade from Cornwall. PL26 8DR. Tel/Fax. (01726) 821148. E-mail: denzil. N-4005 Stavanger, Norway The Student Prince (Romberg arr. Catherwood - soloist: Les Neish); CWS [email protected]. e-mail [email protected] Glasgow (John Hudson): English Heritage (Lloyd); Philip Hunt talk to Website: www.sarnia-music.com Internet:www.ebba.eu.com George Lloyd about English Heritage, in an interview recorded at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRASS BAND CONDUCTORS. Royal Albert Hall in 1990. RAYMOND TENNANT. DRSAM, Dip.NCOS. Conductor and Ajudicator. 1 Newark Drive, Paisley. PA2 8NU. Tel. (0141) 589 Secretary: Ted Howard, 30 Havant Road, Horndean, Hampshire. 6466 or 07860 102708 (mobile). PO8 0DT. Tel. 023 9259 8162. E-mail: [email protected]. Requests and comments are welcome at e-mail: brassmanpgh@uwclub. net STEPHEN TIGHE. ARCM, MLIA (dip), FPC, LDBBA, Conductor, NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BAND of GREAT BRITAIN. Philip Biggs, Administrator, 2 The Coppice, Impington, Cambridge, Band Trainer, Adjudicator. 10b Main Street, Clopton, CB4 4PP. Tel/Fax (01223) 234090. Monday, 30 November, 2100-2200. Manx Radio Kettering, Northants, NN14 3DO E-mail: [email protected] Time for Brass. Frequencies 97.2, 89 and 103.7 FM and 1368 AM Tel: 01832 720505 or 07970 458079 (mobile). Website: www.bandstand.demon.co.uk and worldwide on www.manxradio.com E-mail: [email protected] Click on Listen FM or Listen AM for the programme at the time of SOUTHERN COUNTIES AMATEUR BANDS ASSOCIATION. BARRY THOMPSON. Conductor, Adjudicator, ABBA member Secretary and Contest Manager: Ian Carter, 10 Church Road, broadcast or on Listen Again for a week following transmission. 15 Hall Park Avenue, Crofton, Wakefield, West Drayton, Middx. UB7 7PT. Tel: (01895) 420007 E-mail: Ian Cottier presents a programme of brass band music and comment. West Yorks., WF4 1LT. Tel. (01924) 863523 or 07773 950964 [email protected]

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 38

BB 38-39.indd 38 25-11-2009 12:54:09 CLASSIFIED FEATURE Diary Dates Adverts BandsBRITISH man the leading international brass magazine

A list of forthcoming events that have been advertised in British Bandsman. CDs The leading international brass band magazine Incorporating Brass Band News, British Mouthpiece and International Bandsman NOVEMBER MIDLAND CD 27 - Perth. Fountain City Brass and Fair City Singers, 7.30pm, Concert Hall. Managing Director We hold one of the world’s largest selections of brass & Trevor Caffull 28 - Perth. Scottish Challenge Cup (9.00am), followed by Scottish Challenge Shield, then Scottish Open military band CDs including most BB-reviewed CDs. Finance Director Order on-line at www.ukcd.net Beverley Phillips (2.30pm), Concert Hall. E-mail: [email protected] Editor Tel: 0044 (0) 121 244 4605 or 6 Kenneth Crookston 28 - Kettering. Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band with guest soloists Owen Farr, David Childs, Brett Baker, Les Neish Fax: 0044 (0) 121 680 9018 Associate Editor and David Danford, 7.30pm, Kettering Salvation Army Citadel. Professor Philip Wilby INSURANCE Features Editor 28 - 29 - Switzerland. 35th Swiss National Brass Band Championships, Montreux. Rodney Newton Brass Band 29 - Perth. Scottish Youth Band Championships, from 9.30am, Concert Hall. Insurance Services Contributors and consultants 312 High Street, Harlington, Hayes, Peter Wilson Middx. UB3 5BT Julian Bright DECEMBER Tel: 020 8759 0825. Fax: 020 8564 9063. Dr. Robert Childs THE ORIGINAL SCHEME Chris Helme 12 - Stroud. Mount Charles, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. OFTEN COPIED—NEVER BETTERED Pat Herak Underwritten by Norwich Union Lt. Col. Graham Jones MBE Ron Massey JANUARY Dr. Peter Meechan INSTRUMENTS Tim Mutum 16 - Stroud. Leyland, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. Frank Renton Bass and Bb/F trombones 23 - 24 - 25 - Skegness. 7th Butlins National Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival. Robert Richardson for sale, several including Bach, King, John Stirzaker Sovereign and Yamaha. David Thornton Tel: 07974 412269 Carl Woodman FEBRUARY Malcolm Wood F tenor cor wanted. Replies to 13 - Stroud. Smithill’s Senior Band, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. [email protected] Editorial 14 - Blackpool. Action Research Youth Brass Entertainment Festival, Winter Gardens. [description, condition and photos Telephone: 01506 882985 (if available)] or phone 020 8516 8355 Fax: 01506 881596 E-mail: [email protected] Display and classified advertising BBb tuba. Yamaha YBB321. MARCH John Ward 4- inline. £675.00 Bargain! Contact 07974 412269 20 - Stroud. Rothwell Temperance, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. Telephone: 01132 707214 E-mail: [email protected] A selection of good second-hand band and Accounts orchestral brass instruments available. Hazel Foster APRIL For details, please telephone 07974 412269 Telephone: 01933 445442 17 - Stroud. Tredegar Town Band, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. Subscriptions and Trade Orders Hazel Foster 18 - Manchester. National Youth Brass Band Championships, Royal Northern College. French horns (several) from £150.00 Telephone: 01933 445442 Long-model cornets (various) Typesetting and Artwork 07974 412269 GK Graphic Design VOF MAY MUSIC Cover price: £1.25 8 - Stroud. Fairey Band, 7.30pm, Subscription Rooms. SUBSCRIPTION RATES 12 months 6 months For something different, UK £56.00 £30.00 Europe £75.00 £45.00 try arlmusic.com Rest of the World £115.00 £60.00 JUNE (52 issues per year) New editions for band at £18.50. 10 – Tonbridge. The Big Brass Bash, events all day including performances by Aveley and Newham and Bones DIRECT DEBIT (only for subscribers living in the UK) Cobbled Streets: BBC Radio 4 signature tune. One month: £4.85 (saving nearly 10% on the cover price) 12 months: £52.00 (saving Apart, concluding with a 7.30pm gala concert by Cory Band, The Hop Farm Family Park. Twin Peaks: cornet duet as recorded by Fairey & 20% on the price of a weekly copy from newsagents). Contact us for a direct debit form. Brighouse and Rastrick. Tortoise & the Hare: quirky, E-Bandsman - Only available to overseas readers - online edition direct to your desktop. furious and triumphant! At £32.50: £52 per year or £30 for 6 months. You can subscribe to E-Bandsman with a credit or 27 - July 3 - Holland. Allan Withington’s Conductor Summer School, Leeuwarden, Prelude and Blues: virtuoso euphonium solo. debit card, or pay by a sterling cheque/bankdraft. From AW Music: log onto www.britishbandsman.com contact [email protected] for more details. anthony_wakefield@btinternet com or tel: 01784 252958 Please make cheques payable to British Bandsman. Subscriptions, accounts and general enquiries Make this space work for you by advertising in British Bandsman classified. Telephone: 01933 445442 Fax: 01933 445435 Telephone: 01132 707214 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.britishbandsman.com ALL CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PAYABLE IN ADVANCE (inc. VAT) Although we welcome unsolicited editorial contributions, photographs Rate 42p per word. Bold type 44p per word after first three words. Minimum charge £7.00 per week. 1” single column box £26.00 (inclusive of and artwork, we can not accept responsibility for their return. The opinions contained in the magazine are not necessarily a reflection of those held by wording – Maximum 35 words). 2” single column or 1” double column box £52.00 (maximum size). Box No. £3 extra. Receipts require s.a.e. the publisher, its editorial advisors or consultants. Neither does the publisher accept responsibility for claims made by those advertising in the magazine. Advertisements with cheques (not credit cards) payable to British Bandsman should be sent to Classified Dept., British Bandsman, Material in this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the Editor’s written permission. 66-78 Denington Road, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 2QH to be received not later than first post on the Monday 12 days British Bandsman is published weekly and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd. before the desired publication date. Address: 66 - 78 Denington Road, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 2QH.

BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 4639

BB 38-39.indd 46 25-11-2009 12:54:11 www.britishbandsman.com www.britishbandsman.com

Issue no. 5588 – 21 November 2009 Issue no. 5587 – 14 November 2009

Price £1.25 -:7/7D2:492B30=09: -,9/>3,A02:90-01:=0 8,29414.09?>0A09?3B491:=X.,;?,49Y.@?? Brass in

Concert sman set to Illuminate BRITISH Band The Sage 
  63 6 

0 43 21 MCPS 8.07 BBCD101 4.34 5.34 5.35 5.12 7.41

ng British Bandsman's ve CD Price £1.25 World of BrassGateshead hosts premier entertainment festival reat ead, rass. Exclusive highlights from BB’s 2008 Recordings of the Year nominees, including the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Cory, Foden’s and Black Dyke bands, plus solo performances www.britishbandsman.comBBCD101 from Steven Mead, David Childs, Katrina Marzella, Leslie Neish and Joseph Cook. www.britishbandsman.com

Issue no. 5589 – 28 November 2009 Issue no. 5586 – 7 November 2009

Bramwell Tovey a true maestro

Price £1.25

Price £1.25 Foden’s and Les Neish recordings honoured in BB’s annual awards Sue Perkins spearheads Dinnington Colliery revival

British Bandsman…the leading international magazine for all brass musicians Established in 1887, BB is the only weekly brass publication in the marketplace, featuring news, views and articles covering all that is important in the brass world. For overseas subscribers, e-bandsman is an electronic version of the world’s oldest brass magazine, delivered straight to your desktop at a knock-down price! Subscribe now, and not only receive British Bandsman for as little as £1.00 per week, but we will also send you our exclusive new CD, British Bandsman’s World of Brass, featuring highlights from our 2008 Recordings of the Year nominated CDs by Black Dyke, David Childs, Cory Band, Steven Mead, Spanish Brass and more!

Call 01933 445442 or see www.britishbandsman.com for more details

BB 40.indd 40 25-11-2009 12:37:29