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Re: Re: AREA TEST PIECES......

 "Muso's Media/Australia's Band World" wrote:

> David says to pick tried and true pieces for lower grade bands. Oh how
> boring! No disrespect but Eric Ball and Drake Rimmer year in year out, may
> be an odd offering from Heath or Street or Siebert. Come on, we have
> progressed from that style of music, which while still having a place,
needs
> to be taken in moderation only.

No, I didn't say that.  I'm amazed that my posting could have been
interpreted in that way, so I re-post it below in its entirity.  I didn't
refer to repertoire (new or old, though in fact I'm a passionate advocate of
new music, and a composer).  All I hoped to convey was the seemingly
common-sense notion that 4th section testpieces are fit for purpose and that
they don't preclude newer bands, those bands who are going through a
difficult time or young bands, from entering contests. We need them,
hopefully playing good music from any era, old or new.

> And  the only difference between an A (or champion ship) section and a D
(or
> fourth) section should be the technical and musical abilities of the
> players.

Did I say otherwise?  I wasn't comparing bands from different sections,
simply suggesting that in the fourth section the chosen test piece should
make the contest accessible to all bands.

> A brass band is a brass band not matter what the grade.

Erm...yes...

> And that includes percussion! At contest times, most bands beg borrow or
> steal percussionists and percussion equipment to make it all worthwhile.

Still can't disagree...

> Don't be scared of modern repertoire - it's fun, brings out great new
sounds
> and gives players some new experiences. Or is it that no matter what the
> test piece, bands will always say it's no good - that why contests in
> Australia, New Zealand etc have an own choice element as well

Scared of it? I write the stuff and I'll be conducting a contemporary piece
in an own choice contest tomorrow. But that really isn't the issue here.

D

> Chris Earl
> Bendigo Australia
>
My original message:

(Re: the fourth section Area testpiece)
I think Keith is right.

If our movement is in a downward spiral with fewer bands, lower entries at
contests (therefore increased costs to the organisers, leading to fewer
contests...) don't you think that the Federation et al should be doing all
they can to make it easer for bands who are going through a sticky time to
continue.  That should include choosing music which is accessible - if
challenging - to the least able band.

The spread of ability is greatest in the fourth section (and possibly also
in the championship section in some regions) so it seems important that we
look after those who are most in need of support rather than those who are
hunting for promotion.

Despite the gradual increase in standards over the last few decades, the
fourth section is still the entry level for bands and in some regions -
including Yorkshire - the entry in the fourth section Areas is very low.

If I was in charge (which thankfully I'm not!) my vision would be that every
band in the country could enter their area contest - making the National
Championships a bit like the FA Cup is to football.  That might mean the
provision of a fifth section or a redistribution of the better fourth
section bands into the third section, but beginners by definition always
start at square one and they're as much entitled to our consideration as the
big boys.

D


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