BRITISH Issue Bandsno. 5514 – 21 June 2008 the leading internationalman brass magazine Benny Wiame conducts Brass Band Limburg to an impressive victory at last weekend’s Euro Brass Contest in Drachten, the Netherlands, for which the band received a coveted invitation to next year’s Brass in Concert Championship at The Sage Gateshead. Euro Brass has grown in recent years to become recognised as one of the leading brass band entertainment contests on the continent and, this year, attracted a total of 21 competitors from Holland and Belgium. Turn to page 3 for the full results. EBBA loses out on EU funding The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) has failed in its two major team, which has worked very hard to put the applications together and a applications to secure substantial European Union (EU) funding. The EBBA special ‘thank you’ to project leader, Oene Krist.” had submitted applications for co-fi nancing of cultural organisations and So, with two major applications rejected, where does this leave EBBA networks, and for money to fund multi-annual co-operation projects. and the fi nancial stability of future European Brass Band Championships The latter application involved the EBBA, plus brass band organisations in (EBBC)? England, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and Austria, all of which Revealing the current situation, Ulf Rosenberg said: “Financially it leaves had joined forces to attempt to strengthen the brass band community. EBBA where it is at the moment; the organisation will maintain its Commenting to BB, EBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg, said: “Both applications dependency on the existing fi nancial resources it has, which are obtained have been rejected. With regard to the network application, the EU wants from three categories: Membership money and entry fees from the bands, more countries to be members of the organisation and activities to take fees from EBBC and the hosting organisations, and sponsorship money and place in additional countries. Regarding the project application, we do not audio/video-rights.” yet know why it was not accepted.” Concluding, Ulf Rosenberg commented on the next step for EBBA in its In rejecting the project application, the letter from the EU states: ‘You will bid to secure further funding: “At the next Executive Committee meeting be informed in detail about the fi nal score of your proposal, as well as of in September, we need to discuss the way forward. There are many good the reasons for which it has not been selected, at the end of the selection ideas in the big project application, which may develop and deserve to procedure. Until then, our services will not be in a position to reply to come to reality on a bilateral or multilateral basis between the countries. Price £1.25 any queries or requests of information about the evaluation outcome for We also need to discuss how EBBA can become a stronger locomotive specifi c projects.’ in the development of the European brass band movement without Ulf Rosenberg further commented: “I really would like to thank the project substantial fi nancial support from the EU.” BB 1.indd 1 17/6/08 17:50:23 MAILBOX HAVE YOUR SAY WRITE TO THE EDITOR WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW ON ANY BAND SUBJECT that he realises the negative effect (losing quality of tone) of turning bells out to the audience Cause for concern - surprising as his band has employed it on many occasions. Regarding his word of caution for Over recent weeks, a couple of your pages have caused me concern. the inexperienced judges about pedalling, again I have heard Cory putting in plenty when they The first of the two incidents I refer to is the piece on Brass Band Oberösterreich and its ‘toys out of are not in the score I am following, including at the Welsh ‘Area’. However, his point is obviously the pram’ attitude to the European Championships. The band’s communique shows a complete lack with merit, so I hope that inexperienced judges take note, but sometimes you have to be careful of respect for all other competitors, including the well-deserved victor, Cory Band, the organisation what you wish for. (both local and European-wide), but worst of all itself. Hubris has always been very evident in the N. Clark, Address supplied. banding world in this country, from the valleys of Wales right through West Yorkshire and into Scotland, but I had always hoped that this would be one aspect of banding that wouldn’t filter into the music making of our European cousins. Up until now, it seemed as though that was the case, but the Austrians seem to have been found guilty of believing in their own press here. Anybody lost a strap? Perhaps you may find a small space in the magazine to help me find the owner of a side-drum I appreciate that it is not a traditional-sounding British brass band, and there is nothing wrong strap, which was found at Stalybridge Celtic Football Club following the Whit Friday contest. I with that (I find variation in style and sound to make a contest, and concert, more interesting), but can be contacted (8am - 6pm) on 0161 301 5000. As a band chairman I appreciate the cost of it has missed the point: It is a good band - not bad, but not amazing either. Anyone who had the replacing such items. chance to hear the Austrians’ flawed performance at last year’s Brass in Concert Championship will P. Greenwood, know what I am talking about. Address supplied. If that wasn’t a good enough reason not to win a contest in itself, the band simply embarrassed itself in complaining about the music. The best composers for brass band, in general, are British. It is difficult to argue against this, just as it is difficult to argue that most of the classical period’s greatest composers were Austrian! The pieces mentioned in the letter are not great pieces. They Fucik score wanted are long slogs of egocentric, over-indulgent writing, which are difficult to listen to due to their We need a conductor’s score for a concert waltz from 1900 by the Czech composer, Julius Fucik. lack of imagination. Come on guys - show some grace and class, and stop trying to win the The waltz is called Traumideale. So far all our enquiries have drawn a blank. However, I am European by holding the organisers to ransom. confident that a brass band somewhere will have it in its archives. We are a newly-formed The second article I take issue with is the recent contribution by Dr. Robert Childs, Don’t go woodwind group in Great Dunmow, Essex with 12 members. Any advice or help would be over the score. On most of his points I bow to his obviously vast experience. However, it does appreciated. seem as though maybe he’s trying to make a more personal point here. It is surprising to me F. Payne, Address supplied. £4.99 EACH OR 3 FOR £12! www.worldofbrass.com/bargainbasement WORLD OF BRASS All orders for UK (incl. N.I.) delivery, irrespective of size, THE HOME OF BRASS SOUND are subject to a £2.95 postage charge. www.worldofbrass.com Overseas charges available on request. www.worldofbrasstunes.com BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 2 Telephone order line: +44 (0)1933 445 445 BB 2-3.indd 2 17/6/08 17:48:47 FEATURENEWS NEWS James Gourlay resigns from RSAMD Following the news of sweeping changes at the Royal of Principal and will be taken on by the Principal. It will be On a more positive note, Head of Brass, Bryan Allen, has Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) as it titled Principal and Director of Music. We would like to thank revealed that his job now appears to be secure, despite struggles to pull back £600,000 from its 2008/2009 budget James for his time at the RSAMD and wish him well for the uncertainty over the future of his position. Commenting in order to stabilise its future, the RSAMD has announced future.” to BB, he said: “The woodwind and brass full time jobs the shock resignation of international tuba soloist, James In the immediate future, John Wallace will take over James are now secured and that the proposed merger of the two Gourlay, from his position as Deputy Principal. Gourlay’s role, despite already having a hugely demanding departments is now under review.” In a press statement released to BB, the RSAMD states: “The job himself. However, the departure is a shock as this was Further developments at the RSAMD seem to be continuing, present Deputy Principal (Music), Mr. James Gourlay, is not initially intended as one of the roles to be affected. though the college maintains these will not have any effect leaving the RSAMD. This role is to be merged with the role When contacted by BB, James Gourlay declined to comment. on the education of the students. Sensational win for Limburg at Euro Brass Brass Band Limburg gave a sensational performance to win the increasingly popular Euro Brass Contest, which took place last Saturday (14th) in De Lawei Concert Hall, Drachten, Holland. From a field of seven of the leading bands from Belgium and the Netherlands, Limburg’s performance included Wilfred Heaton’s Contest Music, clinching the top spot. In total, 21 bands competed in the contest. Full results: ‘A’ Section 1. Brass Band Limburg (B. Wiame) 194; 2. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (S. Hamersma) 192; 3. Festival Brass Band (M. Mellaerts) 188; 4. Metropole Brass Band (G. Audenaert) 184; 5. De Bazuin Oenkerk (K.