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Re: David vs Goliath

Although I agree to a certain extent with the comments on contesting, I
think it is possible to become a bit too cynical, concentrating too much on
the fierce competition between the very top bands, and not on the benefits
accrued by hundreds of lower section bands for whom contesting is the only
real means by which to improve.

Those who criticise contesting must concede that it is more enjoyable to
play in a band where every player pays close attention to intonation,
rhythm, style, note lengths, phrasing, balance, etc., than in a band which
blasts through music with no consideration as to musical quality. Intense
concentration on musical performance is instilled through preparation for a
contest, where the same piece of music is rehearsed in so much detail that
the band learns to use its collective ears!

Dissenters may argue that the same attention should be applied in the
preparation of each and every concert programme, but this is impractical and
extremely time-consuming. In any case, the public are far less discerning as
listeners than your average adjudicator. At a typical local band concert,
most of the audience are happy to hear a tune they recognise or to which
they know the words. To the vast majority, wrong notes, poor intonation etc.
are hardly noticed.

Let's not forget that brass bands are not the only groups who compete
against each other. In Edinburgh last Sunday, my family attended the
Scottish Choir of the Year Competition. The standard of singing was
exceptional, and it was interesting to note that the choir's contest
repertoire is very different to their normal concert repertoire, mirroring
the difference between brass band test-pieces and concert items.

Cameron Mabon


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