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RE: "Proper" Bands

To: <brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: "Proper" Bands
From: "Rod Gibson" <rodg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 12:17:31 +0100
Importance: Normal
In-reply-to: <20010704225900.26561.cpmta@c000.lhr.cp.net>

Hi Matt,

I think you are chasing a myth with the word 'proper' and also, to an
extent, with the word 'traditional'.

I have never written a book, nor ever likely to, neither do I have any
learned journals that might define a 'proper' brass band, but that's not
going to stop me giving you the benefit of my two penn'orth.

I would say that the definition of a 'proper' band is that as laid down by
the national contest rules, as amended from time to time, so contesting
bands are 'proper' when they contest. However, that is not necessarily the
band that we all play in every week or even take to concerts. Most bands
will usually have more or less of any particular instrument from time to
time, and will therefore be missing certain parts of the music and doubling
others, even at concerts.

I've never been in a band that would turn away a half decent player because
they have a full compliment, not many bands have a full turnout every week
either. It can be very difficult telephoning around for deps when half the
band can't make a job that everybody voted to accept a couple of months
previously, so extra players are always welcome.

I have been to lower section bands that have the odd French Horn or twig
sucker in the band. Who is to say that isn't 'proper'. They make music, it
keeps the band going, the band probably helps train more players, and if the
numbers continue to reverse it will become a concert band.

'Proper' according to my definition above might just apply to the top 20 or
so bands, but for the rest it is a question of survival and 'proper' is a
myth.

Cheers

Grandad


--

References:
- "Proper" Bands
  - From: Matthew Robbins

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