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Brass Band Preservation Society

Dear Brass-banders
  The text of this message was lost in my previous submission. Just some
thoughts on the brass-band instrumentation thread and my experiences here
in Oz.
________________

	The problem with adding french horns and trumpets to a brass band is that
the band would lose its unique sound. The voicing of compositions for brass
bands (and any traditional ensemble) calls for instruments to give the
appropriate musical effect, and the wrong instruments give the wrong effect.
	Those who chose to belittle the Eb tenor horn and Bb baritone horn in
favor of the french horn would do well to listen to some of the excellent
arrangements which capitalize on the tenor horn's unique tonal and lyrical
capabilities, played well.
 My favorite is the enchanting "Elegy" from Percy Fletcher's "Epic
Symphony". In the opening bars of the Elegy the slow horn chords with pizz.
bass figure can be spellbinding - french horns would simply not sound right. 
	The point is that music in any ensemble is arranged according to
instrument voicing, based on the structure AND SOUND as it has evolved over
the years. The brass band has a number of different tonal instrument groups
(to my mind, disagree by all means):

. cornets
. trombones
. euphonia
. Eb and Bb horns
. basses
. flugel fits with either troms or horns
. percussion
. conductor  :-)

	The problem with adding french horns and trumpets is to get them to fit.
How would the French Horns fit in with the rest of the band? Play at the
same time as the other horns? No thanks. Alternate with the euphos? If the
composer wants euphos, the french horn is the wrong sound. What about the
trumpets? Mix them with the cornets? Alternate? Replace the instruments
altogether? - It's no longer a brass band. Why not replace the french horns
in an orchestra with band instruments?

	Yes, we may consider adding trumpets and french horns as new instrument
groups - just as the trombones presently complement the warmer saxhorns. I
would prefer not to do this: I don't like the sometimes ear-piercing sharp
sound of trumpets which seems to be admired in some orchestral circles, and
the french horn? - well, I prefer the eupho sound in a brass band. If you
like this idea feel free to have a go - but call it a "brass band ensemble"
or something. It is not a "brass band" in the traditional sense.

	 On the subject of tubas and trombones: In the brass band the trombones
are really a separate family of instrumental sound.  To me the orchestral
tuba sounds as if it was designed to balance the strident tone of the
trombones. It does not fit with in the warmer timbre of brass band tubas
such as the Sovereign instruments. The Bass trombone is enough in the brass
band, given there are already at least 4 Basses as well.

	Sorry to sound pedantic - but I am. There is a snobbish school of thought
here in Sydney which treats brass bands and their saxhorn instruments as
inferior. There is little or no formal brass-band presence in the
Conservatorium (even though there is a "jazz" School). Not surprisingly,
some students are infected by this bias and feel that trumpets, french
horns and those curly tubas with rotary valves are somehow "superior" to
traditional brass band saxhorns.

	 The brass band is a musical entity with a fine long history and a unique
sound. Talented composers are producing interesting and challenging music
for this unique collection of instruments. I suspect there is a worldwide
resurgence of interest as a result. Let's not throw it away lightly.

 I'll stand down now, thanks.

Philip Anderton
Warringah Concert Brass
(A traditional brass band)
Sydney Australia


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