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> From: janice larose <larosej@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: (no subject)
> 
> I was fortunate enough to be forwarded (by a good friend and fellow 
> trombone player) on the following e-mail response from Doug Yeo.
> 
> I since visited this web site and highly recommend it!
> 
> Not wanting to over step common courtesy, I wrote to Doug Yeo to ask if 
> he would mind it if I sent his words to the Brass Band mailing list (he 
> himself does not subscribe due to his present e-mail load of about 1800 
> hit a day), as I thought the brass band mailing list readers would enjoy 
> this letter about Doug Yeo's first-hand experience with Black Dyke Mills.
> 
> Doug Yeo wrote back and gave his consent, so I hope you enjoy this as 
> much as I have.
> 
> From:   Douglas Yeo[SMTP:yeo@xxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent:   Friday, December 13, 1996 12:52 PM
> To:     trombone-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject:	Brass Band Excellence
> 
> John Ingman wrote:
> 
> >Most of our finest players in this country came from brass bands (Ian
> >Bousfield to name just one) simply because there is a bigger
> >challenge there as you are playing a lot more than windband or
> >orchestras. There is also the competitive element that comes from
> >playing in contests. If you can, you should all try to do some brass
> >band playing. In England there are many bands of varying standard and
> >I understand that in the US the whole thing is taking off!
> >
> >I also urge you to sample brass band music by having a listen to some
> >of the many fine CDs that I know are exported to the US.
> 
> I've been away at Carnegie Hall for a few days and am trying to catch up 
> on some interesting threads.
> 
> John and others are absolutely right about brass bands.  My first hand
> experience with the Black Dyke Mills Band, one of the finest such bands 
> in the world, has really opened my eyes. And it all fits in nicely with 
> my continued pulpit pounding about the subject of excellence in 
> performance.
> 
> For those of us in the USA, our experience with brass bands has been
> unfortunately very limited unless you come from a Salvation Army
> background.  What we need to discover is the fact that many of the top,
> championship level bands in the UK - which are made up wholly of AMATEUR
> players - are every bit the equal of the top American and European
> orchestras.
> 
> This is no exaggeration.
> 
> When I recently recorded my solo CD with Black Dyke, it was apparent to 
> me that I was being "fronted" by a group that in terms of passion, 
> dedication, intonation, ensemble and sheer love of music, is unparalleled 
> in my experience.  I got an education.  Sure, I made an album, but more 
> than that, I LEARNED something I shall never forget.
> 
> My own Boston Symphony Orchestra (and likewise the Chicago Symphony, San
> Francisco Symphony, Phila Orchestra and all the rest) can only DREAM of
> having the kind of unity of mind and ensemble that bands like Black Dyke
> have.
> 
> A case in point:  During our second recording session in September, we
> began the day putting down a new piece written by BSO bass player (as in
> string bass) Lawrence Wolfe.  Larry wrote the arguably most difficult 
> piece on the album ("Triptych"), and we began by recording the fiendishly
> difficult third movement.  The first take had some problems, but much in 
> it that was good.  The conductor, James Watson (who, by the way, began 
> his career in the Desford Band at the age of five, became their principal
> cornet at age 9 and went on to become the principal trumpet of the Royal
> Philharmonic, Covent Garden Opera and Philip Jones Brass Ensemble), put
> down his baton and quietly said:
> 
> "Gentleman.  Doug and I are going to go down to the booth and listen to
> that take and you all are going to take out your pencils.  That was a
> shambles."
> 
> Jim and I left the hall for the recording booth and on the TV monitor I
> could see that NOT ONE player left their chair, EVERYONE had their 
> pencils out and they ALL began practicing.  During their break.  No 
> talking. No complaining. The next take was terrific and it was a direct 
> result of the concentration and high level of professionalism displayed 
> by each and every individual member.
> 
> When's the last time you've seen THAT kind of behavior and dedication at 
> a recording session from an American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO,
> $80,000 a year base salary, top level American Orchestra?  You haven't
> because it doesn't happen.
> 
> After you've heard the Foden O.T.S. Band play the Elgar "Enigma 
> Variations" (Polyphonic QMPR 605D), or Black Dyke play the Holst 
> "Planets" (Doyen DOY CD 050) or the Britannia Building Society Band play 
> the Ravel "Daphnis and Chloe" Suite 2 (Doyen DOY CD 045) or Dyke play 
> Eric Ball's "Resurgam" (Polyphonic QPRL 061D) you will be hooked.  These 
> bands are remarkable. They are setting new levels of excellence in brass 
> playing yet they labor (labour!) virtually unknown in the USA.
> 
> And they are AMATEURS! They aren't making big (or any!) bucks from this.
> For instance, the Black Dyke bass trombonist, Adrian Hirst, is a coal 
> mine surveyer!  Their second trombonist, James Stockdale, works in a 
> bank!
> 
> We in the USA, especially in light of the recent thread on orchestra
> strikes, would do well to gain an appreciation of these brass colleagues
> across the pond and in our own backyard (there are many recordings of
> excellent Salvation Army Bands from the USA and Canada) who play at the
> highest level simply because they LOVE it.  There is no money in banding;
> just pride, honor, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
> 
> Thanks to the many of you have ordered my new recording with Black Dyke.
> Judging from the interest in my  "Proclamation" page at
> 
> http://www.yeodoug.com/proclamation.html
> 
> more than a few people are finding the story of how this unique album 
> came about to be interesting.  For me, the real satisfaction is in the 
> promotion of the brass band as a vibrant, highly excellent group of 
> players that deserves to be recognized more for the great kind of 
> ensemble it is.
> 
> Pick up a brass band CD sometime soon.  You won't be disappointed.  After
> listening to the fabulous level of playing, you'll probably want to 
> either quit or practice.
> 
> It makes ME want to practice.
> 
> Which reminds me.........
> 
> Doug Yeo
> Bass Trombonist
> Boston Symphony Orchestra


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