The brand new February edition of Brass Band World magazine is out now, packed with fantastic features, articles, reviews and interviews…
EDITOR'S VIEW:
BBW's Editor, David Childs, celebrates the diversity of brass performance
LET'S DEBATE — SOCIAL MEDIA:
Unibrass's Chairman, Andrew Straiton, looks at the impact of the internet and social media on brass banding.
KNOW THE SCORES — SITTING IN JUDGEMENT:
On the eve of the UK's Regional Championships, four of the appointed judges — Sandy Smith, David Hirst, Leigh Baker and John Maines — reveal what where their top marks will go.
THE BBW INTERVIEW — FRENCH FORCE:
On the eve of the French National, Christopher Thomas chats to the principal cornet of Paris Opera and Paris Brass Band, Alexis Demailly, about his life, career, new CD and getting his country's brass bands valued!
UNIBRASS 2017:
A new Chairman, a new venue, a new competition category and more satellite youth events — the ongoing momentum of Unibrass 2017, previewed by Nicola Bland.
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO LONDON:
LA and La La Land trumpet player — Wayne Bergeron — to hit the UK in Yamaha-promoted London master class and concert.
PRO PRACTICE:
Professor Roger Webster considers what motivates us and offers stimulus for making musical leaps.
PRO PLATFORM:
David Childs enjoys a Q&A with the new principal trumpet of the Royal Scottish Opera — Chris Hart.
BBW CASTAWAY:
Katrina Marzella delves into eclectic desert island listening of composer, Paul McGhee, who has a bit of a cheat luxury item to assuage his solitude!
YOUNG VOICES:
Mark Good meets the 2016 West of Scotland Solo Champion — Rebecca Wilson.
RNCM FESTIVAL:
James McLeod, Richard Robinson and Malcolm Wood bring coverage of the UK's serious brass music festival.
PARTY TIME:
Christopher Thomas and Steve Jack join the throng at Butlin's Festival, where the 'X-Factor' was ramped up.
BRASS AT THE GUILD:
James McLeod latched onto the wise words offered by the adjudicators on the pre-UK Regional test-piece run-outs.
BRASS EDUCATION AND 'OPPS':
Fly high with the new Royal Auxiliary Air Force Band and play to your strengths with Trinity College London's new aural and improvisation tests — Nicola Bland brings the detail.
BBW CENTRE BAND:
Viennese whirls — a light and airy Hepworth Band waltzes into 2017!
REVIEWS OF THE LATEST CD RELEASES:
Of Gods and Kings — the latest substantial recording released by Foden's Band, reviewed by Nigel Clarke, who also enjoys a Q&A with the band's conductor — Michael Fowles, plus Paul Cosh waxes lyrical about the new CD, Fantasque from Alexis Demailly, and Simon Cowen discovers the 'highest quality brass recording' that he's ever listened to — Music for Brass — Paul Terracini and Sydney Brass.
NEW MUSIC REVIEWS:
All You Need is Love, March — Life Songs and Just Where I am — three new titles from The Salvation Army Eastern Territory USA, surveyed by Daniel Hall, plus Dr. Rodney Newton casts his experienced eye over two new Dan Price titles published by Yewden Music — Starburst and Tydi a Roddaist (Thou Gavest).
CONCERT REVIEWS:
The TfO's inaugural brass band with blockbuster film music on its mind along with reviews of Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick with EYMS and Hendon concerts.
PRODUCTS:
Carlton Sykes finds the Odyssey Premiere Eb Tuba outfit a solid entry into the market; the Mike Lovatt Smith-Watkins Trumpet success story, Nicola Bland interviews Cory's Tom Hutchinson — also Ev-entz's brass specialist, whilst Wessex Tubas launches new online experience.
NEWS:
NYBBGB at the Barbican with LSO stars, gastro delights at Allan Withington's Conductor School and Pageantry clarified.
RANKINGS:
February's Rankings sees some high-risers, including one band that rocked up 132 places, courtesy of its Brass at the Guild contest place…
DIARY DATES:
What's on around the World in February and March, including previews of the first two all-important UK Regional Championships in Blackpool and Huddersfield.
LA and La La Land trumpet player — Wayne Bergeron — to hit the UK in Yamaha-promoted London master class and concertBBW
… AND ANOTHER THING:
John Barber and cartoonist, Nezzy, contemplate the first rehearsal of the year.
TAP IT, READ IT — THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE ON SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS — ONLY £30, WHEREVER IN THE WORLD YOU ARE!
OR, HAVE THE PRINTED MAGAZINE DELIVERED BY POST: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)
