The Brass Band Forum

Many of my friends in 3rd section bands have told me how difficult it is to play Tam O'Shanter's Ride. I know how difficult it is having played it myself (on the Sop part, which granted is probably the easiest part in that piece).
I can see the motives for trying to drag the 3rd section bands up, but not with such a massive blow, leaving many demoralised with their performance. I doubt myself whether some 2nd section bands could play that piece. As a matter of fact, It should have been used in the 2nd section!!!!!
In my own personal opinion I think that the regionals 2004 3rd section piece "Vizcaya, by Gilbert Vinter" was easier and was a wiser choice for the section.

I know the idea of the regionals is supposed to be a challenge, however, going from "Simon Called Peter" to "Tam O'Shanter..." was a ridiculous move.

What does anyone else think??

I have always been surprised by this choice. I understand the cliche that bands are getting better, but I cannot believe that today's 3rd section bands are the same standard as the top bands of 50 years ago who had to play that piece the first time around (was it in the Open I wonder?).

I also found it difficult to believe that Divertimento was considered a wise choice for the fourth section. I don't know about other areas, but I teach at a local fourth section band who, on seeing the music and hearing the recording, just decided not to bother entering.

Contests should stretch bands, but there's stretching them and there's making it impossible for some of the less lucky bands to enter. Divertimento was impossible without a full band, and while I don't know the situation with a lot of the Northern bands, I know that bands in this area can struggle to get a full band together.

If you take my lot for example, I have a young lad on solo horn and two young ladies not long out of the junior band on 1st and 2nd (though I believe I may be getting a new, somewhat more experienced player returning to the band after a break), I only just have enough cornets to cover the parts with 3 on front row, a rep a second and 2 thirds. I have one euph, one baritone, 2 troms and 3 basses (and 4 percussion).

When I played in lower section bands (granted it was some years ago now) we would have managed with less players than that to play the area piece and play it well (indeed, we qualified from the 4th section to the 3rd and were only a place off going straight through to 2nd). We only had 6 cornets and one of those was also playing percussion.

With Divertimento you needed the sop and flugel parts and all the soloists were very important. When I played in the lower sections, I don't remember all the solo work standing out so much. I think it was a lot for the 4th section to cope with.

On the other hand, I think the 1st or even 2nd section could have coped with Rienzi. There was nothing technically demanding and as a result there was nothing to divide the wheat from the corn so to speak. The only thing that made performing the piece on stage interesting for me (being bored to death of the lack of challenge in the piece by about a month before the contest) was the fact I was coughing blood all day and had to try not to choke.

Despite the fact I could barely stand I still played it, and that shouldn't have been possible if the piece was meant to stretch the band. So, from what I could see this year, the lower section bands were meant to achieve the impossible, and the championship section were meant to sit back and relax. I'm pleased to now have Masquerade to get my teeth into (sorry we threw it at you at your audition and first rehearsal Tom, you should have seen the look on your face!!).

Yeah, I was a bit surprised and puzzled at some points but I'm coping, I think!!!!

I agree with your statement tracy, but I personally think from the sound of it that Divertimento was a good choice for fourth section, but only if they had a full band.

I think Divertimento was spot on for 4th section. It also has the advantage that it would be an excellent concert item.

The flugel solo in the 3rd movement could be played on a horn. Of course it won't sound as good, but would at least allow you to participate.

The sop solo at figure C could be played on on a Bb cornet, simarly for figure B of the 1st movement.