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Re: Brass in school, and when the children leave!

This is a problem Colin.  The only answer is to try to find some other
players and form a small group; there is quite a lot of music for small
ensembles now.   As someone who has been associated with banding for over 50
years (a band and assocation secy.etc.) I am baffled why say a band that has
existed for over a century can finish even though scores of local pupils
have been taught by the same brass teacher for some 25 years.   I have tried
to get a local college interested in brass courses. etc. but even though it
has a new 2.5m media centre they are not interested;  it is only of use if
you play a guitar.  Six months' ago I discussed some arranging with  them
(for cash) and they agreed to help.   But I never heard from them again.   A
music shop in a town nearby has had  brass instruments (horn, etc.) hanging
up for about 3 years...coated with dust....that they cannot sell.   In a
recent BBC TV programme they showed a school in Rochdale where half the
pupils of some 1000 were playing brass..(.and their parents, and
grandparents).   What will they do when they leave ?   Another
puzzle....what happens to the students from music colleges when they leave ?
Surely unless they are brilliant musicians they do not stand much hope of
getting in a top orchestra..or earning a living from brass bands.   Maybe
its wiser to learn a trade and keep banding as a worthwhile hobby.   I have
noticed that there now seems to be lots more contesting than there used to
be, and less effort in entertaining the public.   In my own area there are
probably folk who have never heard a brass band.    Is,nt it strange that
one could,nt find a report or results of the recent "Open" championships in
any National newspaper ?   Yet I saw reports of soccer matches where the
"crowd" was just over 100 !   Someone needs to look into the public
relations side of banding in the U.K. or I see a future where some bands
will exist just to go to contests (where the adjucator is still in a little
hut with a bucket) and broadcasters  and the media will continue to
practically ignore bands.   Good luck with finding some fellow musicians;
maybe one day you will have the satisfaction of entertaining folk with your
talents.   David Williams.


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