David Read and Peter Parkes both made very bold and interesting statements to 4BR after the conclusion of the Championship Section at Skegness on the weekend – words that all bands, not just in the top section may need to heed if they wish to be successful in entertainment contests in the future.

Rewarded innovation

Speaking for our Butlins podcast to be broadcast later this week the movements most experienced and respected judge told 4BR:

"We rewarded innovation today. We wanted to hear something new and different, although it had to have a true brass band context. We didn’t want to hear the same music that has been played over and over again these last ten years, but something that was new and interesting, something that had been given thought and explored new styles."

"We have rewarded innovation" may come to be seen as four of the most important words spoken by any judges in 20084BR

Move forward

David went on to say: "We need to move forward in entertainment contests and not repeat the same things time and again. That’s what we were both looking for today.

Some bands certainly did it – Wingates used the final section of ‘Extreme Makeover’ for instance as well the contemporary ‘Wicked’ – both very different and innovative in their approach, whilst others, such as Tongwynlais had an excellent percussion solo feature too."

Agreement

Peter Parkes agreed. "Some bands played music that I had conducted well over a decade ago – we do need to move forward with our thinking. We need fresh ideas and approaches. Some may work, others may not, but trying something innovative is surely the way forward for bands."

Life Divine

Peter was equally forthright on his impressions of the bands on ‘Life Divine’. "I’m an emotional man, but there were too many performances that lacked any sort of emotion on the piece. They certainly played the notes, but that wasn’t enough, it needed something from the heart. That was sadly lacking."

Lacked emotion

Peter added: "This was Harry Mortimer’s favourite piece of course, and I was very fortunate to conduct it in his memory soon after his death. That’s why I feel it needs that emotional input. Too many bands tried to play far too loud, whilst trombone sections failed to bring the sense on declamation and nobility to their fanfare lines – it was just hard and harsh at times."

Notice given

Two of the most experienced men in the business have given notice, especially to bands with their fixed ideas on entertainment contest programmes, that after a period when bands have opted for safety and a reliance on the tried and tested, the time has come for change and forward thinking to be rewarded.

4BR call

It also echoed the call made by 4BR in its recent Editorial that the time had come for innovation in all its guises to be sought and rewarded.

"We have rewarded innovation" may come to be seen as four of the most important words spoken by any judges in 2008.