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Re: Contests Utterly Futile??

David Lancaster wrote:
> 
> "David W. Buckley" hit a nerve again when he wrote:
> 
> > the appeal of almost all
> > test pieces is about zilch to any but the dedicated brass band bug.
> 
> In my experience this just isn't true, and seems to be a
> misconception perpetrated by those who seriously underestimate the
> intelligence of their audience.  Surely the idea of a balanced
> programme implies a mixture of serious and light music to satisfy
> different tastes.
> 
> Two examples: last month Black Dyke

Black Dyke as we both know has made a major effort to expand its
repertoire and audience beyond the typical brass band. And ask Watson
his opinion of contests!

 gave an excellent concert in
> Harrogate which included two substantial works which have been used
> extensively in contests (The Force of Destiny 

Even though used as a test piece, hardly a typical test piece and not
written for brass originally.

overture and Vinter's
> Triuphant Rhapsody), along with a well-chosen selection of lighter
> pieces and solos (including the Langford Rhapsody for Trombone).
> There was also a new short piece from Peter Graham. These are all
> good pieces which deserve to be heard by the widest audiences and
> Dyke are to be applauded for presenting this repertoire which was
> certainly well received by a large audience, many of whom would be
> non-specialists, attracted to the event by the band's reputation.

Can't argue this.
> 
> Secondly, over the last weekend The Harrogate Band presented a
> lecture recital on the history and development of band music to a
> conference of music librarians: musicians certainly but not 'brass
> band bugs'. The programme included Labour and Love, Land of the Long
> White Cloud, exerpts from Downland Suite and works by Eric Ball,
> Gilbert Vinter and Torstein Agaard-Neilsen, plus Rimmer's Zauberflote
> transcription, some swing, an Alan Fernie arrangement and a march.
> The feedback was exceptionally positive; many of these people had
> previously dismissed brass bands because their past experiences had
> been been limited to what one delegate called 'musical twaddle'.

Keep this up Dave. This kind of thing is important for the brass band
world.
> 
> If David B. bans us from playing 'test pieces' and Alec abolishes
> contests what are we going to have left?

Real music that can stand the test of time. I'm still of the opinion
that the main benefit of contests has been to improve technical skills
and all the effort has not created much memorable music.

Keep blowing.

Dave B.
> 
> David
> 
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