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Re: Contests Utterly Futile?? (

Finally have time to jump in to this ongoing discussion.

There is no question whatsoever that contests have been the driving
force in the UK in the stimulation of an absolutely stunning escalation
in the technical ability of brass players. This happened long before the
relatively recent escalation in the number of students in formal music
training. I spent some time over the weekend with Don Harry, tuba
instructor at Eastman and he marvelled at the technical dexterity of the
championship brass bands. As he said, the kid as he or she grew up heard
dad play and did it themselves. These technical standards have pretty
much now become the world standard and a requirement of any pro player. 

However all this dexterity does not really seem to have resulted in much
if any growth in audience or much if any significant music. David
Lancaster and I have had discussions on this but I just never hear a
brass band piece except at a band concert and the appeal of almost all
test pieces is about zilch to any but the dedicated brass band bug.

It seems we have a nice insular world where we can feel truly superior
without actually testing our world in a broader context. Not necessarily
bad, just pretty limiting.

We probably need more brass band composers who write the pieces, hire
the band, pay the hall and then make a living based on whether or not
anybody wants to hear their music. Think this is the way to commercial
pablum? Well it worked pretty well for Mozart and Beethoven.

Regards to all band members. Its great fun, but as Peggy Lee said "Is
that all there is???"

Dave Buckley.

Clair Tomalin wrote:
> 
> Dear Alec,
> 
> Alec Gallagher wrote:
> AG:> >>They stifle creativity;
> CT:> >Not for the composers - it's an opening for new works to be
> commissioned...
> AG:> But wouldn't they have done that anyway?  I think so.  Other musical
> groups
> > seem to have developed a repertoire without a heavy reliance on contests.
> 
> I can't agree with this.  Perhaps the pieces may well have been written
> anyway, but the likelihood of them being played and considered as useable
> pieces would have been restricted to the strength of the sales pitch.  By
> having a commissioned contest piece that every band has to play, it enables
> it to be fully explored.  There have been plenty of times when the first
> couple of runs through of a new piece have left a band stoney faced and
> grimacing ... but after a few more attempts, because they have to, suddenly
> appreciation starts to prevail.  There have been plenty of test pieces that
> may not have seen the light of day after the first attempt if they had
> simply been written without the exposure of a contest.
> 
> CT:> >...don't ignore the fact that with new moves to improve the
> effectiveness
> > >of adjudication - having multiple adjudicators...steps are being taken
> to
> > reach level >ground in this complex issue.
> AG:> As long as Geoff Brand or Bram Gay isn't involved, presumably!
> 
> As far as Geoff Brand was concerned at the All England Masters, don't
> forget he also made lots of new friends with some of the results he
> devised!! :-))
> 
> CT:> >Likewise, if the public who wave the 'respectability and credibility
> wand'
> > >don't attend the contests how can the contests
> > >hinder the bands in their eyes >
> AG:> The BBC could be described as an outsider.  Over recent years
> something has
> > persuaded Auntie that brass bands are not worth broadcasting. The
> question is, why?  If we could establish that,
> > we could be on to a winner.
> 
> I agree, but your example of the lack of BBC exposure of brass bands is a
> different subject - it has nothing to do with the fact that brass bands
> compete.
> >
> CT:>  >Competiveness is an inbuilt characteristic of the human race, so why
> > should brass bands be excluded.
> AG:> No reason at all - I just wish it were kept more in proportion.
> >As a social occasion, though, I agree with you - it's a good day out.
> 
> Now I'm really confused - you now agree that there's no reason that brass
> bands should stop competing, and you acknowledge that contests can be 'a
> good day out' - so does this mean you rethought your proposal that all
> contests should be abolished?? How do you define 'in proportion' ?
> 
> AG:>I'll just pick up on one or two
> >points and let others have a go on the others
> 
> I think the focus is most probably the other way round - by the looks of
> other responses from the list, its your points that others are picking up
> on, not mine!! :-))
> 
> Thanks for stoking the fire a bit on the list, it's been nice to get on a
> soap-box again!
> 
> CLAIR TOMALIN
> Flugel
> Clacton-on-Sea Co-Operative Band
> E-Mail: c.roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ICQ#:  21868132
> 
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