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Re: Supreme Champions of the Southend -On Sea Contest was Engagements v Contests

Firstly, may I send felicitations to any friends that I may still have out
there who subscribe to this very excellent site. I have been watching the
discussions for some time now and this is my first attempt at joining in.

Secondly, in reply to Keith Williams recent remarks, as the conductor of
Broseley Brass (the supreme champions of Southend-On-Sea Contest 1999 and
2000) (watch out YBS!) I have to hold my hands up and admit to also being
the man who said "How do you follow that?" having to follow Rayleigh Band
onto the stage at the end of the Southend Contest to provide some music
while the adjudicators results were being processed.

I thoroughly enjoyed your band's performance, I heard every part of it, and
yes, you are absolutely right when you say that:-
"We were the only band that had the whole audience participating
(including the competition) by singing and clapping and were the only band
that actually were asked by the audience for an encore."

But is that the criteria for winning an entertainments contest? Is it
getting the audience to join in? Is it playing a varied programme? Is it
playing together? Is it playing in tune? Is it choosing pieces your Band can
play well? Is it standing up together? Is it making up words to fit the trio
of a march? Is it walking on stage in order of height? Is it walking on
stage in score order? Is it juggling balls whilst whistling Dixie? Who
knows? Come to that, who cares!

The important part of contesting to me as a conductor, is that the Band
comes off the stage knowing that they have played at their highest level,
proud of their performance, they can hold their heads high.

That happened for Broseley Brass on Sunday, they did their best and
fortunately on this occasion, they were rewarded for their performance. But
trust me Keith, there have been many times when I have come off stage,
having conducted what I feel to be the winning performance only to find that
the adjudicator did not agree with me.
That is contesting, an imprecise art form and one which will make sure that
dialogue between players such as this will continue to flourish for many
years to come. Unless someone does something about it! (radical or what???)

You should be happy in the knowledge that:-
"We were content to know that we were the only band that woke some of the
audience up and left everyone smiling."
That should be your reward for taking part in Sunday's Competition.

I am however intrigued by the un-named 1st Section Band who you were
competing against. To my knowledge the highest ranked bands were two 2nd
Section Bands taking part in the contest and as Broseley are in the 3rd
Section it obviously can't be us.

PS
Rumour mill at Southend suggests that the Queen Wuss is expecting a small
delivery in the near future. Any truth in the rumour?

PPS
Regards to Monkey in Aus. Still remember you helping Regent Brass out in a
performance of Ballet For Band at Widnes some years ago. Stunning Bass
Trombone playing, Baritone players heads still ringing some years later!!!


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