Comments ~ 2008: September

More opinions on rude reviews, Mortimer cornets, Space and Time, and bringing the Open back to Manchester. Just in time for Birmingham on the weekend too...

Credit crunch comes to Manchester 

Interesting you should talk about this, I was thinking exactly the same after my visit to the Brass Festival at the Bridgewater Hall last weekend.
 
Having read the line up on 4barsrest in the morning I decided to pack up my kids and take them to listen to the National Children's Band (dropping in to see Wingates for me too!).
 
Whilst two of my charges did a short diversion around the shops, I took my five year old to listen to the 12 noon Wingates concert. No child rates available so I paid £19 for the two of us. Now with 3 kids in tow there was not much change out of £20 for refreshments and then I was faced with forking out for one adult and 3 children (full price again) for the NCBB at an additional cost of £42. 

Too much I felt so I reluctantly, on a point of principle, decided to skip the concert and go for a ride on a tram instead!  Finally I paid £10 for car parking before driving home feeling very disappointed.
 
Surely we should be encouraging children and families to attend such events, especially the Childrens band, and it would be far better to fill up the seats instead of playing to a mostly empty hall...the ground floor alone was less than two thirds full for the Wingates concert and not a single person on any upstairs tier.

It will not be a bad thing, in my opinion, if the credit crunch forces everyone to rethink their policies and get a bit more creative about encouraging bums on seats. 

Louise Renshaw
Macclesfield Youth Brass Band 

Rude reviews and unnecessary damage 

In response to Messrs McFadyen and Clarkson on the issue of 'rude reviews', I feel angered enough by what I have read on here this week to conjure up a written response of my own.

In fact the reviews in question have caused quite a stir to the effect of "Have you seen the 4barsrest reviews of the Bridgewater concerts?" being the starting point for more than one conversation at rehearsals this week which in my experience is an unprecedented breakthrough for your concert coverage!

Having attended the evening concert of the Great Northern Brass Festival, my review would have been very different.

It would not have treated this event as a mere warm-up for a contest the following weekend. The festival is a full days showcase of British Brass Banding at the very highest level and deserves its own spotlight. The musicians involved had clearly made this effort amongst a difficult and busy period and so it is a shame then that 4BR did not see fit to treat it in the same way.

This was not a contest, or even a boxing match, as you reported. There was not even any evidence to suggest that the performers themselves were treating it this way.

I was just as thrilled with B&R's wildly entertaining programme as I was with Black Dyke's sophisticated one and even though one band may have given a more polished musical performance than the other, my enjoyment of the music on offer was equal and I left the hall totally satisfied with the evenings entertainment.

Each band had something different to offer and none of the slips or mistakes detracted too much from the performances. It was in fact the most varied, most inspiring and most enjoyable brass band concert I have ever attended as a listener.

Time and time again this website is responsible for harsh criticism of individuals and having been on the receiving end of this myself once or twice I can say how damaging this is to the confidence and willingness of a young player.

One of the reviews in question has once again done unnecessary damage. None of us are professionals, we all do this for fun and there is often little riding on the outcome of a performance but our own and our listener's enjoyment.

That is until a slight clip is reported on and published for the whole world to see, for those who were as far away from the event as the other side of the world to believe that this particular player is unworthy of the seat they occupy when actually the performance was of a very high standard.

You do a fine job of documenting and promoting this rewarding pastime of ours, but may I remind you as the worlds most visited brass website, and very often a website with a top 10 google search result of anything musical, that you have a responsibility towards promoting brass bands and the individuals who give up their own time for them - not to destroy them from within. 

"Unnecessary cracks, clips and calamities" are unfortunate, but in non-contest situations I'm sure you can find something far more worthwhile to report on.

Nick Walkley
Manchester 

Writing by hand

I have to say I quite agree with Leigh Baker’s point regarding composing by hand as stated in his recent interview on 4BR.

So that’s myself and Leigh Baker that use manuscript to compose, who else can join the rather small club? (Writing sketches on paper does not count)

James McFadyen 

Make it clear please...

Please, please, change your website!! People who have poor vision, even those just requiring reading glasses are having great difficulties in reading 4barsrest.

Please get it redesigned and give it crisp clear navigation. Such a shame.
 
Cheryl Meredith

4BR Reply:
We've tried to make the new site more accessible for everyone. If anyone else has any comments on the accessibility - please write and tell us what we can do to make things better for everyone.

Radio listings?

What has happened to the radio listings lads?

Paul Grandon 

4BR Reply:
They will appear as part of the new design over the next few weeks. We need to integrate all parts of the old site into the new. It will return.

Congratulations

Congratulations for the new look of 4barsrest web site.

Ulf Rosenberg
EBBA President 

Complete set of British Bandsman up for grabs

Is a complete set of British Bandsman from 14 February 1970 (8 old pence, photo attached) to the present day of use to anyone? It is unbound, but in undamaged condition, and sorted in date order within years.
 
It was always going to be used for a lot of statistical research, cross-referencing, etc. to fill time when I retired but, after 20 years, even that opportunity has been otherwise occupied!
 
I have no idea of such a collection's value, even as waste paper for recycling, so I guess it depends merely on whether anyone wants it and how badly. In any case, I do not want anything personally for it, but would expect a recipient to calculate its worth to them and make a donation accordingly to the Brass Band Aid charity (deprived children in Adet, Ethiopia).
 
I hardly expect an avalanche of enquiries so, if you can find a use and space for it, make an e-mail offer (however modest) to me at lva-brassfish@bushinternet.com of the donation you would make direct to BBA. Ditto if you require any further information.

Len Atter
Eastbourne  

Shot in the dark

This is a pure shot in the dark and I apologise for any bother caused.
 
Having 'googled' Paul Walton I have come across his name under 4barsrest.  The Paul Walton I know is my cousin and I do know that he used to be a musician in the army. 
 
I have not seen Paul for nearly 42 years and that would have been at our grandparents' house in Cwmafan!  Paul would know me as Carol Chorley, the daughter of Mary (nee Aubrey) and Norman.
 
Only if I have the right Paul and only if he wants to get in touch ........... I would love to hear from him.
 
Carol Hunter (nee Chorley)

bobcarh@gmail.com

Reporters, report...

In response to Doug Clarkson, whilst I commend your want of 'good things to say' (paraphrase), I think your comments perhaps show a certain naivety from both the music industry and the media. What you see as a weakness in 4BR, I see as a strength, because they are, after all, reporters.

Reporters, report and that is the business of reporting. Not some fan club for bands. They provide a valuable and at time humorous reporting style which is to be commended but still some people still aren't happy with things that are free.

I personally didn't find the comments rude (I'm not at all associated with the Fairey Band), I did find therm insightful and open. Which is what I want from reporters.

But, the best is still to come... so you moan about the so-called rudeness, but then 4BR often get accused of the opposite, being too biased towards certain bands.

Moral of the story, let 4BR do what it does best and let it continue to provide it's information free and don't throw stones in glass houses. Instead why not debate about real band issues, ones that affect its future and livelihood.

James McFadyen

Unnecessary cracks, clips and calamaties...

I read the remarks and comments made by Iwan Fox regarding the concert of Saturday 6th September played by Fairey Band. I have to say that I find his comments rather insulting to say the least. I have nothing to do with the band and I never attended the concert.
 
Do his remarks have to be so rude? I get the impression that he thinks himself as some kind of comedy writer that tries to make us all laugh at his weak attempts to put the band down with his little witticisms i.e. “For every bit of classy individual playing (and there were many) there were also a clutch of cracks, clips and castigating calamities that made the duo seem as comfortable together as a Georgian penpal looking for love on the Russia version of Friends reunited.” 

Plus all the “cracks, clips and castigating calamities”, (I was wetting myself at this point). All totally unnecessary.
 
If the band had the British Open a week away it’s no wonder that the band may be below par having spent a great deal of time preparing for the contest. No matter what, there is no need to pull a band down in such a childish manner.

Bands have a hard enough time these days trying to recruit players plus the lack of decent venues to play at. So what we don’t need is some small minded ‘I’ve done it all’ critic that probably doesn’t know the difference between a crotchet and a bulls foot. (Whoops, did a crack a funny there?).
 
Criticise the band if you must but let’s have a polite way of doing it that build the band up the next time they meet and not want to throw in the towel because they feel like they’ve failed.
 
Congratulations Fairey Band, I’m sure the paying audience enjoyed your concert very much indeed, and they’re the ones that count.
 
Doug Clarkson 

Bring back the Open

Thanks for the quick reviews on the Northern Arts Festival of Brass lads – very impressive. 

I think the event showed that there is still enough interest in brass bands in the North West to get the organisers of the British Open to think seriously of bringing the contest back to its spiritual home once more.

There are difficulties with the Bridgewater Hall (especially the concourse areas) but that is surely offset by the fact that the hall itself wouldn’t be half full as is often the case at Birmingham when lesser bands are playing on stage. 

Symphony Hall is a great venue, but it most be very expensive and despite the protestations of the organisers, it never seems to be full even when the likes of Black Dyke are on stage.

Matthew Healy 

The not so rare Mortimer cornet

Your news story about the rare Harry Mortimer cornet was of great interest. 

I have bought and sold items on E Bay for many years now and am constantly surprised that so many brass band items come up for sale.

On first sight the cornet seemed to have a great deal of importance attached to it by the seller, but after reading your news item and the investigations you made it seems it wasn’t that rare at all, and the connection to Harry Mortimer playing it was tenuous to say the least.

It may well have been owned by him, but that was all. The dates were the giveaway and it was a little surprising to see the seller had not really made any greater effort to check exactly what it was and do some research.

It just goes to show that buyers should always beware!

Lyndon Thomas 

4BR Reply:
We understand the soprano cornet was sold for £699.00, so it seems someone out there felt it was of importance and value 

Agreement on Space and Time

After reading the review of the latest National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain CD, ‘Masters of Space and Time’, I went back and listened to my copy once again (bought through 4BR I must add)

I agree wholeheartedly with Iwan Fox in his comments about the Broughton test piece as well as his appreciation of Ian Bousfield’s playing too.

Although ‘Masters of Space and Time’ is highly enjoyable it is fairly obvious that it is not a piece that would have been hard enough to test the very best bands at the British Open. Not only is it too short, it does sound more like a mini film score than anything else.

As for Mr Bousfield. All I can do is recommend that any performer, not just budding trombone players get a copy and listen to a quite unique piece of playing.

John Ashfield 

The case of the missing Strad...

I've just read the comments page under the title of ‘Missing Flugels’.

There was no real reason for leaving the Bach Strad out of my tests other than I played one some years ago and wasn't that impressed. I can't remember the reasons for my apathy towards the instrument, but I do remember there were problems with first valve tuning.

The reasons for my test choices were based purely on having a blow on instruments I had not blown before. There are obviously other good Flugels out there and by no means was this a definitive test, but when you've got to wait in for the postman to deliver the flugels.

It takes its toll, so I suppose the real reason for not including the Bach Strad in my tests is " I couldn't wait in any longer"

John Lee
Flugel Horn, Brighouse & Rastrick

Missing flugel horn?

Just read the excellent and informative 4BR Roadtest, 'Flugel Fancy' and wondered why the Bach Strad flugel wasn't one of the instruments chosen for the test?

Out of all the flugels I've seen in banding, this is the one I've seen most of in all levels of banding. Any particular reason for its omission? 

Just would seem a shame if someone on the lookout for a new flugel wouldn't consider one of these fine instruments when looking at what's currently on the market.
 
Blimey... I've just realised how boring I actually am, I'm a sop player on a break from banding at the moment, I've got loads of work to do and I'm interested in flugels?!

Just don't tell the boss!
 
Big hand for 4barsrest and BBC sports pages for helping me retain the little sanity I still possess.

James Pearson 

Scottish disappointment

Once again I am disappointed about the article written about a Scottish contest, this time being Brass in the Park. 

My disappointment lays with the fact that more than one band than Whitburn was at the contest, but you wouldn't know it from the report. While there is a very small comment about Dalmellington being runner up, there is nothing detailing their, or other bands, playing.

Moreover, there is no mention of the third and fourth placed bands, and who won the best Euphonium prize and so on.  I think it is about time whoever writes these articles by including a little more detail other than just the "BIG BAND", as there was at least 16 bands at the contest, it always seems to be the same band in Scotland we hear about, regardless of the results.
 
 Regarding the reporting of the Land O' Burns contest, I would also like to add that the contest is run by Dalmellington Band, which the article does not mention at any point, again focussing on the success of Whitburn . 

As a member of the band responsible for running this contest I feel that the hard work and dedication of the band, especially from the contest organiser Mr Sandy McAughtrie, warranted at least a passing mention.
 
Is there only one person responsible for the submission of articles from Scottish banding?  It would appear to be the case that politics has displaced the mentioning of lower bands.  Surely their hard work and success also merits a little more detail, instead of the centre focus being one band only.
 
I would be most grateful if future articles could go behind the scenes a little bit further to provide a more balanced and in depth reflection on Scottish banding - namely, looking at the bigger picture.
 
Christopher Dale 

Heaton remembered

In response to your editorial:
 
Whilst many bands did not play any music of Wilfred Heaton before Contest Music, SA bands knew and played his work long before this!
 
Nick Garman 

Heaton agreement

I'm in total agreement with you when you describe Wilfred Heaton as a truly unique compositional voice for brass whose appreciation is long overdue, although 'Praise' did afford him some not inconsiderable plaudits during his lifetime. 

Here was a composition that ripped up the usual compositional formula for Marches and re-wrote the guidelines rather like the late and great Leslie Condon who raised the bar for EEb Tuba players in particular.

'Wilf ' as he was affectionately referred to in S.A. circles was, like Stravinsky, way ahead of his time. The lack of appreciation in the early days can be likened to the fate suffered by many great artists - starve while you strive to perfect your talent, die a pauper and decades later your paintings are 'discovered' and sell for millions!

Wilfred Heaton wasn’t the first and he certainly won’t be the last great composer who achieves true appreciation long after drawing his last breath.

As they say here in sunny France – “c'est la vie!”

Rob Burnett 

Eisteddfod flourishes

I write in response to the comments made in your columns on the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at the beginning of August.

I have to declare an interest at the outset, as I work for the National Eisteddfod, so my comments are my own as a playing member of a brass band, and do not therefore reflect those of the Eisteddfod.

I have long thought that brass bands really need to think about their image, and that any opportunity to “piggy back” on to another event, and present itself to a wider public, needs to be seized at. What better way is there for this medium to do so than to ensure that the brass band competitions at the Eisteddfod continue, and flourish.

Although participants might think that there were not many people in the audience on the day, it has to be remembered that this is a 3,500 seat venue, and that even though 800 - 1000 people were present, it looks quite empty, especially from the stage.

What has to be emphasized is that this event is broadcast on radio, television and the internet. Viewing figures show that 34,000 watched it live, and a further 58,000 watched the highlights. 22,000 a day (from around the world) chose to click on the live streaming facility provided by the BBC. On top of this is the radio audience, and the attention given in the press.

A programme on BBC2 network about the Eisteddfod attracted over 500,000 people.

What other brass band event can boast of such a large (mostly non brass band) audience. The message is therefore clear, that bands must support this event – use it or lose it.

They must also encourage its development e.g. does it make any sense that the adjudicator sits in a tent for an entertainment contest?

Alan Gwynant 

Best soprano?

Really cannot believe your comment about Soprano players for the Open.No disrepect to Kevin Crockford coz he is a fine Sop player, but the finest sounding Sop player at the moment has got to be Alan Wycherley!

I have played in Fairey Band next to Alan and also at Dyke with Kevin and I believe Mr Wycherley has the sweetest sound and the best range of any Sop player!

Dr I K Tinsley 

I shouldn't Rococo...

"4BR has been informed of the following list of errors and mistakes in this year's British Open test piece, 'Rococo Variations' by Edward Gregson."
 
By whom?

Will Elsom 

Thanks for the timpani help

I visited your site through Google as I searched for material to help me.

I just joined an orchestra with the aim of playing the timpani. Your site was very helpful!!

Thank you very much Dave!!

In case you have more information that would suit a beginner, please print more of it.

Thank you!!!

Nyakio Munyinyi
Japan 

Lorena thanks

Thanks to 4BR and Chris for your help with Lorena, it appeared to be a vocal rather than cornet solo at the time but due to it's popularity was played on anything to hand, banjo, guitar, and even cornet.

Thanks again

Terry Evans 

Mackintosh - the cornet king

In reply to John Harmer, at least one CD of the recordings by Jack Mackintosh was produced, called "The Cornet King".  Midland CD Club still have it listed.

John Brooks
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 

Get behind our Olympic bid 

This is a request more than a specific news story…
 
As the leading media for brass band related matters, perhaps you may be willing to throw your weight behind the drive to ensure brass bands receive their pride of place as a feature of - in the run up to – and at the 2012 Olympic Games?

After speaking to a number of people about this here in London, I have started a face-book group last week which now has over 1000 members from all over the country - which shows there is some appetite amongst the brass band community. I have also been in touch with BFBB Development Officer regarding the excellent work he has been doing.
 
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26036696870&ref=mf
 
I was wondering if one of your researchers could invest some time into producing a feature article - perhaps an interview with Jude Kelly and/or BFBB development officer and maybe some other leading personalities in the brass band world.

I see 2012 as a massive opportunity for the brass band movement (both a celebration to the wider audience and a promotion opportunity) and I would hate for that opportunity to be missed because of general apathy (that brass bands tend to do well in my experience!)
 
I may be wrong, and perhaps there are some well laid plans in discussion, but I was listening only the other day to Radio 4 that ran a profile on Jude Kelly that stated she was going to produce a plan very soon on the arts involvement for 2012 – I didn’t hear mention of brass bands at all!

On further investigation it would seem that Jude Kelly would indeed be the ideal person to sell the concept of brass band involvement at 2012 because of her past work as producer of King Cotton etc.

As arguably one of the major exponents of the British cultural heritage, I believe the movement has a very good case to be heavily involved if the right direction is provided at this time.

I feel that 4barsrest and/or British Bandsman have the right sort of weight to be able to bring this matter to attention of the appropriate organising committees and raise awareness on individual band responsibilities through your news article.
 
Perhaps we need some focus so that all British Brass Bands know what they need to be doing, planning for etc.

Is this something you can consider? If resources will not allow for this, would you consider publishing a well researched article from an outside source if it was appropriately written and balanced? Forums like TMP are great for individual views but something this big should be presented via the best forums the movement has i.e 4barsrest, BB and BBW.
 
Simon Jones

Spare the students a thought or two...

Spare a thought for the Students of University of Warwick at the Lower Section National Finals in the next few weeks. They will have just one week to prepare 'Suite For Strings'.  

Due to the timing they will start to rehearse on Sunday and leave for the contest on Friday. Simon Hogg (MD) will have his work cut out!

G. Hollis
(proud but apprehensive parent!!) 

The great Jack Mackintosh
 
I have been handed a recording of Jack Mackintosh, which must have been made in 1960's given the label - His Masters Voice Process Recording. It was recorded in New Zealand.
 
Was he a member of the St Hilda Band from England? When I lived in Sunderland for four years in the 1970's  I heard so much about this man. Anybody who can give us some information and maybe 4BarsRest could do an article on him.

Denis Taylor in his book on the Northeast Bands touches about him briefly which may mean he was on a visit to NZ when he recorded this album.
 
On this recording are famous Solo's like, ‘Zelda’- Code, ‘Carnival of Venice’-Arban, ‘Showers of Gold’ -Clarke, ‘Facilita’ - John Hartman, ‘Silver Showers’- Rimmer and Damare's ‘Cleopatra’.

It would be great to have it re-mastered and released, as quite a number of old Bandsman/and others would love it. No mention of the band which accompanied him but sounds like a Military Band.
 
The playing is flawless and is exceptional. The semi quaver work is clean as a whistle and a real pleasure to sit back and listen to.
 
Any information about this very talented player would be appreciated
 
John R Harmer

4BR Reply:
You seem to have got the basics right John, but a bit more digging and there is a wealth of information on this great player from his time at St Hilda's to him becoming a professor at Kneller Hall. 

Lorena found

One of your readers from Felling was asking about a cornet solo called ‘Lorena’ – please pass him the link I have shown below – it the American Library Congress and this could be the one he is looking for.

The time scale fits as shown below. 
 
Composer: Webster, Joseph Philbrick, 1819-1875
First Line:  The years creep slowly by Lorena
Year: [186-]
Instrumentation: voice; piano
 
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/hasm.conf0256/pg.1

Chris Helme

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