Issue no. 5550 – 28 February 2009 Price £1.25 Carrying on the family business Sykes junior captures premier BBC brass title PLUS BB’s preview of the 2009 Regional Championships BB 1.indd 1 24-02-2009 17:28:00 BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 2 BB 2-3.indd 2 24-02-2009 17:29:19 NEWS Kapitol announces York as principal ‘National’ sponsor for third consecutive year Kapitol Promotions Ltd. has announced that it has awarded the principal band movement’s most prized sponsorship platforms, John Rogers sponsorship of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain to enthused: “York Brass is extremely proud to again be the principal sponsor York Brass for the third consecutive year. of the 2009 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, which Speaking about the sponsorship agreement, Philip Morris of Kapitol gives this internationally acclaimed brand the opportunity to further Promotions Ltd., said: “Over the past three years, Kapitol has developed enhance the close connection that it has established with British bands, a close working relationship with York Brass, which has had a positive as well as with the worldwide brass band movement, over the past three impact on the National Finals events. The sponsorship has enabled Kapitol years.” Promotions to increase its grant aid to the eight regional committees and He added: “We would like to thank Kapitol Promotions Ltd. for allowing to add new and valuable events to the Harrogate-based ‘Finals’ for bands us to sponsor the ‘National’ for the third consecutive year, as well as to in sections 1 to 4. Last year, these included clinics and recitals by David pay tribute to the Company’s expertise in presenting the world’s most Childs, Owen Farr and Angelo Bearpark, as well as a recital by the British significant and prestigious brass band event. Army Band. Kapitol Promotions is, therefore, pleased to welcome York “York wishes the bands competing in the forthcoming Regional aboard again as principal sponsor.” Championships good luck. We would also like to thank the bands and their Also commenting for York Brass on winning one of the worldwide brass supporters for their hard work in preparing their performances.” Ancient times provide inspiration for European test From Ancient Times by the Belgian composer, Jan van der Roost, has been announced as the test-piece for this year’s European Brass Band Championships, which will be held in Ostend, Belgium in May. Inspired both by the 15th century Flemish Polyphonists and the 19th century musical instrument pioneer, Adolph Sax, the piece is, in the composer’s words, “Modern in style, with contrapuntal techniques and a strong Medieval influence, although the slow movement is romantic in style, reflecting the life and times of the great Belgian instrument maker, Adolph Sax.” Many readers will be familiar with Jan van der Roost’s Albion, which was used as the test-piece for the 2001 National Championships in the Royal Albert Hall, but this work is “very different in style – less aggressive, more spectacular and virtuosic, with every player in the band tested to the full,” according to the composer. The music is published by De Haske. The test-piece for the ‘B’ Section has been announced as Catedrales by the Belgian composer, Bert Apermont, published by Beriato Musica. Further details of the line-up and adjudicators for the event will be announced in due course. The sound of Grimethorpe aimed at family audience The current English National Champion band, Grimethorpe Colliery, is Belsvik, joining the band for the true story of Maria von Trapp. The show to tell the story of Maria von Trapp, the subject of one the most popular was first produced for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra by Classic Music musicals of all time, The Sound of Music, in two family-oriented concerts to Withington Zubicky, and it has since been performed, to full houses by the take place at The Sage Gateshead and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Stavanger Brass Band. 28 and 29 March respectively. The story traces the life of Maria von Trapp, from her time as a nun in The concerts, which will also feature students from Hemsworth Arts and a convent in Salzburg, through her family’s escape from Austria to her Community College and will be narrated and presented by Camilla Belsvik, settling in America to start her own music school. The programme consists are the brainchild of the band’s Musical Director, Allan Withington, who of music from The Sound of Music and also light classical pieces including will also conduct. The Blue Danube, Cavalleira Rusticana and Bach’s famous Air from his 3rd Both concerts will begin by Grimethorpe providing a programme with orchestral suite. an Austro-German flavour in preparation for the second half. The band Speaking to BB, Allan Withington commented: “The concert was first will perform music by Wagner, Mendelssohn and Richard Strauss, with designed as a ‘family concert’ and we would love to use this opportunity euphonium player, Michael Dodd, as one of the featured soloists. The to introduce audiences of all ages to not only the music we play but to second half provides a piece of musical theatre with students from demonstrate how flexible a brass band is in a new and exciting guise.” Hemsworth Arts and Community College and Norwegian actress, Camilla Both concerts start at 7.30pm. BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 3 BB 2-3.indd 3 24-02-2009 17:29:20 2009 YOUNG BRASS SOLOIST Trombonist to the fore Words and pictures by John Stirzaker In a programme recorded at Manchester’s Royal Seaman, made their decision. Northern College of Music (RNCM) last Saturday Leyland Band’s young euphonium star, Matthew and due to be broadcast last night (Friday) White, was the first to take the stage, opening during the Listen to the Band programme at with his own composition, Improvisation for 9.30pm, Stephen Sykes was crowned BBC Radio Euphonium, a modern piece featuring multi- 2’s Young Brass Soloist of 2009. Possibly one of phonics and inspired by the music of Nat the highest-quality finals in the competition’s McIntosh. He followed this with Lament on short history since it began in 2004 saw Stephen the Death of the Reverend Archie Beaton by Sykes compete against David Moore (flugel John Mason and arranged by Frode Ryland, horn), Lauren Reeve-Rawlings (French horn) completing his technically outstanding and Matthew White (euphonium) to become programme with another arrangement by the the first trombonist to take the title and join an same Norwegian composer, Two folk Tunes from illustrious group of previous winners in Katrina Valdres. Marzella, Brenden Wheeler and Ben Thomson. The talented flugel horn soloist, David Moore, Black Dyke Band, with Dr. Nicholas Childs opened with Michael Nyman’s excellent work, conducting, was in sparkling and enthusiastic Flugelhorn and Piano, effectively arranged for form as it accompanied the four young brass band by John Parkinson, although it would musicians, as well as providing some be fair to say that there were times during the this with the popular Chuck Mangione film entertainment for the large invited audience performance when the soloist was lost among theme, Children of Sanchez, which was, once as the adjudicators, Edward Gregson and Nigel the strident sounds of Black Dyke. He followed again, very assured in execution, if lacking slightly the ‘Latin’ feel that the music requires to sound truly authentic. The first French horn player to reach the final of the competition, Lauren Reeve-Davies, rather topically chose to play Gilbert Vinter’s Hunter’s Moon in an arrangement by former Black Dyke solo euphonium, Denzil Stephens. This piece is a tour-de-force for the horn, and Lauren gave a performance of real aplomb, which suffered only from the normal difficulties of balance allied to orchestral soloists when accompanied by a brass band. These appeared to have been dispelled, however, as she followed it up with an assured performance of the familiar Rondo from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 to complete her excellent programme. A confident Stephen Sykes, a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and former player with Leyland and Fairey bands, was the last to play, opening with a stylish reading of Bill Geldard’s arrangement of Hoagy BRITISH BANDSMAN PAGE 4 BB 4-5.indd 4 24-02-2009 17:28:21 2009 YOUNG BRASS SOLOIST e in thrilling BBC Final of the past three decades. Both judges were worth it in the end, especially to hear such great in full agreement that musicianship, style and comments from the judges.” the ability to sell that style to the audience Currently in his final year at Strode College, were crucial factors in their decision, and where he studies music and music technology, that Stephen Sykes possessed these qualities Stephen Sykes now looks forward to studying by the spade load, as well as a rare sense of music full-time before hopefully entering to performance and commitment to the music, a career as a professional musician. Younger which tipped the balance in his favour on the brother, Carlton, is following in his father’s night. footsteps, so perhaps we’ll see another tuba- The packed RNCM Concert Hall saw a delighted playing member of the family in this event in the Steve Sykes receive his award from the event’s years ahead. first winner, the baritone horn virtuoso, Katrina As ever, the ‘voice of Listen to the Band’, Frank Marzella. After he had closed the evening with Renton, was the master of ceremonies, and a reprise of Stardust, he celebrated with his speaking to British Bandsman after the event parents, tuba virtuoso, Steve, and his mother, expressed his thanks to everyone concerned for Joanne.