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2012 Brass in Concert Championship — Five things we got to know

Five things we got to know from Brass in Concert at The Sage Gatehead on the weekend.

Harper

1. Philip Harper has stamped his long term identity mark on Cory

When Dr Robert Childs left Cory earlier this year there were some critics who felt the new MD would do well to last longer in the job than the new Chelsea manager.

However, after two impressive performances at the British Open and National Finals, the first piece of major silverware has been secured – and in the most impressive fashion.  

Now you won’t be hearing the dreaded vote of confidence coming out of the Rhondda any time soon.


Trophies

2. The new percentage game

It took a little getting used to – but the transparency engineered by a much more robust marking system gave the audience – and more importantly the bands, something they could fully understand and appreciate.

The illusion of a 27 point victory margin for Cory still didn’t hide the fact that they were placed first by three of the four independent judges.

It was also a testament to their musical excellence and the intelligent approach of their MD that they worked out the importance of the new percentage game weighted in favour of musical content.


Brighouse

3. Percussion features remain an acquired taste

As much as audiences admire the fun and games of the exotic ‘shed builders’, percussion features are still an acquired taste at brass band entertainment contests.

There was some wonderful playing on show – but rattling off a million notes on a xylophone, accompanied by a bass drum and a few vocal chants can still leave you yearning for a decent bit of slow melody cornet playing.


Carlton Main

4. Are all the new arrangements fully legit?

As much as we would like to think that all the new arrangements that appear at the event are innovative and captivating, does anyone really know if they are all totally legit?

Getting permission for a ‘one-off’ performance seems the best some bands can do in the circumstances, so could the organisers insist that in future they come with the publisher’s agreement that they can be played after the contest as well?


Reg Vardy

5.  The demise of slapstick humour

Say it quietly, but we may well have seen the last of awful slapstick humour at Brass in Concert.

Just the odd bad memory of times past this year, but also a few indications that a more mature musical intellect is appearing in the programmes of the best bands.



Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 21 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Ware Brass

June 20 • We are looking for an Eb Bass player to join our award winning Bass Section. Ware Brass is a well established 2nd Band who rehearse on a Monday night from 7:45 - 10pm at High Cross Village Hall, close to Ware, Herts.


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have vacancies for PERCUSSION players. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials. It would be great to hear from you if you would like to join the band or if you could help out when needed for concerts.


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have a vacancy for a SOLO CORNET player maybe PRINCIPAL for the right player. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs, occasional contests & socials. Players of all ages & sections are welcome to visit or join us


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

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