Butlins National Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival - 23/24 January 2010

Held at the Butlins complex just outside the Lincolnshire coastal town of Skegness, this was the second time that the Band had entered the Butlins National Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival. This festival features a set test piece contest for 4th to 1st section bands, an entertainment contest for youth bands, and a set test piece plus entertainment competition for championship section bands. As well as the competitive side of the festival, there is much brass based entertainment throughout the weekend, including concerts by the Fairey, and Redbridge bands, and the all female (allegedly - some of them needed a shave) Boobs and Brass.

Arriving at Skegness on the Friday evening, the Band spent most of the evening in rehearsal, putting the final touches to the set test piece, which on this occasion was Paul Lovatt-Coopers 'Sleepless'. The Band had engaged conductor Alan Morrison to direct the performance, and he had worked the Band hard from the start of January. Several rehearsals had weather related absences but on these occasions those present faced an even sterner examination.

Friday night rehearsal.

The Baritone section on time!

Alan Morrison waiting to Strike Up The Band!

After a reasonably early night, there was an early start for the Band on Saturday morning for another rehearsal before our contest performance. Not too early for breakfast though, and what a variety of breakfasts there were. From muesli, to porridge, to kippers, to a full cooked English for the really hungry crew (Tony, Alistair, and Mark), who can fully recommend the £5 special - well done Caesar's Cafe, no price increase since 2009. This rehearsal was held at the Alford Silver Band bandroom.

Saturday morning, and stunt percussionist Garry looks at some real music.

There was some history contained in Alford Bandroom - never mind the photographs just look at some of the players!

Thanks to Rhiannon Harding, and Richard Lancaster, two of our borrowed B & Q specialists.

We would like to thank the Alford Silver Band for the use of this facility, which helped with our final touches. Back to Butlins, and contest time. We had drawn to play number 3 out of 11, and as the Championship section didn't start until after the completion of the fourth section, this meant we took to the stage around 4pm,The adjudicators remarks follow, but after we had played we didn't find out how we had done, as the contest is decided on the aggregate results from both the set test piece and entertainment performances.

Set Test Piece Contest - Adjudicators Remarks

Test Piece - Sleepless Cities

Major Peter Parkes

Opening

A Con Rubato Solo Horn rather loud, Cornet not in tune. B Rather untidy, but it settles. C Effective - good section. E Cornet starts well and quite nicely balanced. F Good effort Baritone - nicely played. G Good on the whole - Horns do well. H This section works well on the whole! J Works quite well, EEb Bass still work to do. K Rather untidy. M This all works quite well. N EEb Basses rather untidy. O Balance needs care! Q This works quite well - good sound. It moves well into R I like this - just more care with intonation. Lento - this is nicely played - good Bass. S PP! Well played but too loud! Soprano this needs to be very smoothly played! It moves nicely into T It is well played through to V pity about Soprano's E! V Keep it smooth. X As smooth as possible! Y Poor intonation but it improves! Z Effective through to EE FF nicely played through. II Good Trombones into JJ & MM and it ends well.

Derek Broadbent

Secure opening - lacks a bit of Rubato. A I don't hear all the inner detail. Accelerando builds well to B Brisk - but I do hear the general details - to E Cornet in fine form - it all works - and it's well put together to H. Just a shade hurried here for my taste I -4, don't overcook the lower lines please. J to good effect to Euphonium cadenza. Confident Euphonium soloist - I still miss the Imam effect needed here, a little more time would enhance K. All in its' place here - Good Percussion to M - Trombone also - Tuba lacks a bit of clarity in the solo line. Good contrasting dynamics noted. O Euphonium duo - to good effect - all is controlled to P and onwards. Tunes are heard Q. Bold ensemble here - but nothing overdone. Approach to R to good effect. R I don't hear the triangle (R + 5). Watch the tuning in the close.. Links Con Rubato - pleasing. S A shade heavy for PP for my taste. Good Soprano. PP Again!! T - Nicely balanced here and it leads well to U. Tasteful solo playing. V - 1 Soprano a shade flat. V Takes a bar or two to recover - but you do. W Good detail and you build well to X - effective Baritones (bar 4). Subito P not quite as one. A touch of Soprano tuning still suspect. Y is brisk, but I do hear the general detail to BB. Exciting! CC Good Flugel & Horn & trombones. DD To good effect. EE Well done Percussion. FF Good contrasts here - this is nicely though out to HH and towards II. Not as crisp as before. JJ has bravura LL - 4 to good effect. LL - MM Bold and builds well to MM Some lines a little overdone here and it spoils. The final bars lacked a bit of composure - but the finish worked. Some untidy moments - but many good, exciting and musical ones also. Thank you very much indeed.

So after a light snack, it was back to Alford and a 6pm rehearsal to work on the second part of our weekend. Well it would have been six o clock had everybody been there on time - true to form it was the local players that managed to get lost!! That was in spite of having already been to the bandroom twice last year, and twice this weekend, not to mention having two satellite-navigation systems (one that plugs in, and one that sits in the passenger seat). Our programme for the entertainment phase was:-

1) It Had Better Be Tonight – Henry Mancini arr Sandy Smith

In 1963, Henry Mancini composed the music for the film The Pink Panther, a film that introduced the world to the bumbling French Detective Inspector Clouseau, the large diamond that gave the film its name, and the unforgettable theme tune. As well as this music, the sound track also included Meglio Stasera – or in English It Had Better Be Tonight. This song appears in various moments throughout the film, as a vocal number sung by Fran Jeffries (with Italian lyrics by Franco Migliacci), as an introduction to the main theme, and as the dance music for the fancy dress ball which is taking place as the main attempt to steal the Pink Panther diamond takes place. This leads to the car chase featuring two gorillas and the local Gendarmarie. Incidentally, the form of this piece is a Candome a form of popular dance music from Uruguay. The song has been covered (with English lyrics by Johnny Mercer) by Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, and more recently Michael Bublé whose arrangement is an adaptation of the Lena Horne arrangement. This Sandy Smith arrangement is based upon the Bublé interpretation.

2) Carrickfergus – Traditional arr. Alan Fernie

Carraig Fhearghais meaning Rock of Fergus or in the English version Carrickfergus is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This town is the subject of a classic Irish folk tune, a 19^th century translation of an Irish Language song from Munster. This song has gained renewed popularity in recent years being sung by several artistes including Charlotte Church, Ronan Keating, Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison, as well as being the subject of two arrangements for Brass Band by Stephen Roberts and Alan Fernie. Taking the long road down to the sea in Alan Fernie’s version is Principal Cornettist Neil Day.

3) Jubilee – Paul Drury

Composed in 1998 to celebrate the centenary of the Edinburgh Gorgie Band – by band member Paul Drury – this circus style march is in the words of the composer, “a march that seeks not to take itself overly seriously, and will hopefully be one that proves enjoyable for both player and listener alike”. Despite the obvious sense of fun, Paul still includes references to his Salvationist upbringing, by including choruses of three songs – Be glad in the Lord, I love him better every day, and Bound for Canaan’s Shore.

4) Salsa Tres’ Prado – Phillip Harper

From the Suite Beyond The Tamar – World Tour For Brass Band composed in 2005 by Philip Harper this movement depicts the Caribbean island of Cuba – home of the Salsa. The Salsa is a genre that Philip is familiar with having already composed Salsa Pa’goza, and Salsa Number 2. This lively, and original number pays tribute to the King of the Mambo (Mambo now reinvigorated as Salsa) Perez Prado, and features dancers/instrumentalists Neil Day, Kathy Newiss, Alison Grantham, and Mark Unsworth.

5) Another Fine Mess – Hatley/Carroll/Shield/Hill arr Sandy Smith

In 1930, the famous, and original comedy duo Laurel & Hardy made a short film entitled Another Fine Mess, though it is not this film that this piece of music is from. This music is from Way Out West (1937), which sees our heroes perform a song and dance routine to the 1913 song On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine. Recreating the song as a Euphonium Duet are Neil 'Stan' Johnson and Andrew 'Ollie' Kennedy.

6) King of Kings – Miklos Rosza arr Leigh

Staying in the world of film, we finish with music from the soundtrack of the 1961 epic film King of Kings. Miklos Rosza – a Hungarian born composer – was a triple Oscar winner, and whilst his name may not be familiar, his music certainly is. With a Hollywood career spanning 45 years, Rosza is probably better known for his scores to the films El Cid, Ivanhoe, The Green Berets, and Ben-Hur. King of Kings tells the story of Jesus Christ and is an epic finisher to our programme that has visited Uruguay, Ireland, Scotland, Cuba, the Wild West, and the Middle East.

At 'home' with Mum & Dad!

We finished this rehearsal in time to enjoy some of the other entertainment happening around the Butlins site. After a rare contest morning lie in, and another healthy breakfast, it was time for the last rehearsal before moving up to the contest area to complete our performing for the weekend.

Entertainment Contest - Adjudicators Remarks

Dr Roy Newsome and Derek Boadbent

It Had Better Be Tonight

Smart work all round. The forward facing Trombones are causing balance problems. Rhythmically very strong.

A compact opening - watch the balance with Trombones please. C Gets a bit hard in sound. F A shade untidy. H doesn't quite hang easily - better at I. Some strong rhythm is heard. A compact close is made.

Carrickfergus

Lovely sound & style from soloist, but he could perhaps be a little more indulgent in expression. Accompaniments generally good, but Euphoniums - don't forget the key!!!

A bit lacking in detail in the opening. A Soloist plays with taste, nicely supported by all. C a little more time through the quavers please. I miss the arpeggio effect to E Soloist sings in good style. G A nice rich sound here - fine to H and a tasteful close is made. Thank you very much soloist.

Jubilee

A great quick march, played with vigour, verve & total assurance.

Brisk tempo - I do hear the general detail - Not quite so at B. Then you drive along to D in good style - A good contrast ensues. G Boisterous - but has a close of good conviction.

Salsa Tres' Prado

A real 'Happy Clappy Piece' fitting well into this highly entertaining programme.

A good contrasting item. A works well. B - fine. C Watch the balance Horn & Trombone please. D lacks a bit of actual detail, but there is lots of fun in this piece. Effective to H - then watch the balances please (from bar 5) - Close - wasn't always as one from K but you had an end of impact.

Another Fine Mess

A great piece of buffoonery - enjoyed by all. Well done.

Loads of fun to play and yes, 'you pulled it off' in fine style. Band supported through out. A great mess!!

King Of Kings

Not quite a blockbuster, but a very adequate finale, well played & effective.

An enjoyable programme. Thank you.

Quavers a little hurried in the opening, but a good full sound ensues. B flows well to D. Dramatic here - as it should be. E C#??? A bold sound from F, but perhaps overdone. I don't hide the semiquavers please - Soprano works hard in this finale - You head for a big climax to a programme of good content. Not without the odd blemish or two - but generally well played. Thank you very much.

Home