*
banner

2020 Regional test-pieces revealed

Works by Philip Sparke, Tom Davoren, Kit Turnball, Andrew Baker and Christopher Bond will pose the challenges for bands wishing to claim their places at the Royal Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.

Regional
  The test pieces and CD have now been released

The list of 2020 Regional test-pieces was revealed at the National Finals in Cheltenham on the weekend.

New initiative

In a new initiative, the works for the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections are being sold directly by the composers, whilst the Championship Section work is available through retailers.

The 2020 choices were made by the Music Panel of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain comprising Michael Fowles, Paul Holland, Samantha Harrison, C. Brian Buckley, John Maines and Richard Evans.

Regional CD:

The 2020 Regional Championships CD can be purchased at:

https://www.worldofbrass.com/100605-group.html

Test Pieces:


Championship Section: A Tale As Yet Untold (Philip Sparke)

First Section: Legacy for Brass Band (Tom Davoren)

To purchase:
http://www.tomdavoren.co.uk/store/p40/Legacy_-_Brass_Band_-_Full_Set_-_Grade_4.html

Second Section: The Golden Sabre (Kit Turnball)

To purchase:
https://www.kit-turnbull.com/product-page/the-golden-sabre

Third Section: Endurance (Andrew Baker)

To purchase:
https://www.morthanveld.com/product/endurance/

Fourth Section: Neverland (Christopher Bond)

To purchase:
https://www.christopherbondmusic.co.uk/post/neverland

In a new initiative, the works for the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sections are being sold directly by the composers4BR

Championship Section:

'A Tale As Yet Untold' was commissioned by Cory Band to be used at the 2010 European Brass Band Championships.

The theme is an appreciation of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and how the beauty of music can help in achieving this.

The 'tale' of the title is an autobiographical one (although not divulged) which deals with a much more general human condition — from nervousness and aggression, yearning to triumph, all in a compositional arc that ends with an indomitable sense of optimism.

First Section:

'Legacy for Brass Band' was commissioned by Tredegar Band to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service — whose inspirational architect, Aneurin Bevan came from the Welsh town.

In three continuous sections it is symbolic of the aspiration, the challenge and eventual creation of a service that is regarded as one of the greatest political as well as social achievements of the 20th century.

The opening represents the need waiting to be met, the central section (originally a soprano cornet solo but now amended for ensemble), the hope of those who touched directly by the service in action. The final section is a march of progress as the NHS strives to meet the demands of the modern world.

Second Section:

Kit Turnball's 'The Golden Sabre' is subtitled 'Tales of the Hussar-Poet Denis Davydov'.

It is shaped in a single arc of romantic development to encompass as series of musical portraits surrounding Davydov's military actions of 1812 — ones that led to him being presented with the sabre inscribed, 'For Courage'.

His poetry was also admired by the likes of Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy (who based a character in his epic novel War & Peace' on him).

The work therefore deals with the very human themes and complexities of warfare as defined by his celebrated poetry — from the sun rising an encampments accompanied by trumpet calls, to folksongs, battles, celebrations of triumph, fears of mortality to the final epic battle at Borodino against Napoleon's troops.

Third Section:

'Endurance' is a series of five narrative variations inspired by the epic Trans-Antartic Expedition of 1914 undertaken by explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

His ship, which gives Andrew Baker's work its title, was famously pictured stuck in ice 200 miles from her intended landfall — a fate that offered no return.

Undeterred, Shackleton and some crew members undertook a perilous journey across the southern Atlantic in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island, and then, another 800 miles to South Georgia, where they still had to climb over its mountainous terrain to find a base at a whaling station.

After a short period of rest they then returned to rescue the remaining crew — a staggeringly heroic journey that had taken over two years to successfully complete.

Fourth Section:

'Neverland' by Christopher Bond is inspired by the timeless story of Peter Pan, written in 1911 by author J.M. Barrie.

The book has also inspired famous film and stage adaptations, as the free-spirited child 'forever young' takes Peter and Wendy and the Lost Boys on escapist adventures to the mythical Neverland island.

The composer has taken three of the main themes from J. M. Barrie's book to create new a work in three contrasting sections; 'Journey to Neverland', mysterious in its style; 'The Windows that Closed' with its sense of longing and regret, and 'Aboard the Pirate Ship' as they battle the 'cadaverous and blackavized' Captain Hook.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


pRESTOCDS

Presto Music Collection: Six more classic CDs

July 8 • You can continue to build your classic brass collection of CDs with 4BR's partnership with Presto Music.


Youth Fest

Brass sounds fill the air at Youth Fest in Barnet

July 8 • BBE's 'Brass Fest' event saw over 200 young players provide fantastic entertainment and great music making in Barnet.


Steve Phillips

Central England lead for Phillips

July 8 • The experienced Steve Phillips has become the new Musical Director of Brass Band of Central England.


Anthony Smith

New solo euphonium at Cory

July 8 • Anthony Smith becomes the new solo euphonium player at the Brass in Concert champion ahead of their British Open challenge.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Petworth Town Band

July 7 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, TUBA and BASS TROMBONE. We are an enthusiastic band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome you to join us and our inspirational MD Paula Streeter.


Epping Forest Band

July 7 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd