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IT'S NOT A TRUMPET

THE BRASS BAND BLOG

    • 8 min read

The Brass bulletin #3

Friday 21st January 2022



From festivals to radio appearances, here are this week's top stories from the banding world.


So grab a brew (or a tipple, it is Friday after all!) and dive into this week's edition of The Brass Bulletin!


 

Contents


RNCM Brass Band Festival Returns

Trio of Learning Workshops from SBBA

Gregson is Composer of the Week

WMC Kerkrade Draw Announced

National Youth Brass band Championships of Great Britain Line-Up

BrassPass to Stream Unibrass Championship

BBE to Host One-Off Special Webinar

Sheona Wade Appointed New Chairperson of AoBBA

 

RNCM Brass Band Festival Returns



After 2 long years, the RNCM Brass Band Festival is back!


Audiences will be able to enjoy 2 full days of fantastic brass band music performed by some of the country's best bands, alongside youth ensembles and RNCM student musicians.


Although the event has been given the go-ahead, Covid-19 has caused a little disruption along the way, resulting in a revised lineup and the event beginning on Saturday 29th January, rather than Friday 28th.


Cory Band and Foden's Band have both, sadly, withdrawn from the event, along with American Trumpet Star, Rex Richardson, but without a doubt, it will be worth the wait to see them in the 2023 event.


However, Sunday's event will be bolstered by a performance from the WFEL Fairey Band, who have stepped in at the last minute to fill Cory's slot.


It looks to be a fantastic weekend of music and if you're wondering what musical delights you can expect to enjoy, here is the programme for the RNCM Brass Band Festival


Saturday 29th January 2022

RNCM Brass Band | 11:00am | RNCM Concert Hall

Featured Soloist: Justine Gormley - Piano

Conductor: David Thornton


Programme:

  • 'Four Minute Mile' - Judith Bingham

  • Piano Concerto - Bill Connor

  • 'Chrome' - Errollyn Wallen

  • 'Four Scottish Dances - Malcolm Arnold


Young Musicians Showcase | 1:30 pm | RNCM Theatre


This session, presented by Dr Jennie Henley (RNCM's Director of Programmes) and Philip Goodwin (RNCM Engage Senior Tutor), will showcase the work of the RNCM Engage Project.


The project brings RNCM student ensembles and local youth brass bands together to inspire the next generation of brass band players.


Saturday's programme will feature young musicians from:

  • Astley Youth Band

  • Stockport Schools Band

  • Wirral Youth Band


Tredegar Town Band | 3:00 pm | RNCM Concert Hall

Featured Soloist: Peter Moore - Trombone

Conductor: Ian Porthouse


Programme:

  • 'Flourish for Brass' - Ralph Vaughan Williams

  • 'English Folk Song' - Ralph Vaughan Williams

- 1. March: Seventeen Come Sunday

- 2. Intermezzo: My Bonny Boy

- 3. March : Folk Songs from Somerset

  • 'Shift' (Trombone Concerto No.1) - Simon Dobson

  • 'Rhosymedre (from Three Preludes founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) - Ralph Vaughan Williams (arr. Paul Hindmarsh)

  • 'These Are Our Footsteps' - Judith Bingham

  • 'Variations for Brass Band' - Ralph Vaughan Williams


Junior RNCM Brass Band | 4:45pm | RNCM Theatre

Conductors: Les Neish, Juan Ortuno


Programme:

  • 'With a Little Help From My Friends' - Lennon & McCartney (arr. Leigh Baker)

  • 'Concert Overture' - Harry White

  • 'Tree Song' - Gavin Higgins

  • 'Rebellion' - Simon Dobson

  • 'Blackbird Special' - Gregory Davis (arr. Reid Gilje)


Black Dyke Band | 7:30pm | RNCM Concert Hall

Featured Soloist: Brett Baker - Trombone

Conductor: Nicholas Childs

  • 'A Fantasy of Joy' - Fredrick Schjelderup

  • 'Four Cornish Dances' - Malcolm Arnold

  • 'Beethoven' - Philip Wilby

  • 'The Royal Border Bridge' - Arthur Butterworth

  • 'The Light Fantastic (commissioned by Brett Baker)

  • 'Heroes' - Bruce Broughton


Sunday 30th January

Grimethorpe Colliery Band | 11:00am | RNCM Concert Hall

Conductor: David Thornton


Programme:

  • Overture: 'Henry the Fifth'

  • 'Innovation' - Liz Lane

  • 'Sinfonietta: At the Edge of Time' - Ray Steadman-Allen

  • 'Elegy (In Memoriam Gerard Schurmann) - Jack Stamp

  • 'Caledonian Suite' - Buxton Orr


2022 John Golland Award Final | 1:30pm | RNCM Theatre


Students from the RNCM will perform works for brass ensemble written by the finalists of the 6th John Golland Award for Young Composers.


Shortlisted works:

  • 'Scherzo Piccolo (for Brass Sextet)' - Joel Kirk

  • 'Pavan (for Brass Quintet)' - Joe Bloom

  • 'Willow (for Brass Quintet)' - Alice Brookes


WFEL Fairey Band | 3:00pm | RNCM Concert Hall

Conductor: Adam Cooke

  • 'Little Suite No. 1' - Malcolm Arnold

  • 'Pilgrim Variations' - Wilfred Heaton

  • 'Penlee' - Simon Dobson

  • 'A Moorside Suite' - Gustav Holst

  • 'Padstow Lifeboat' - Malcolm Arnold


Brass Bands England Presentation | 4:45pm | Carole Nash Recital Room


Join Sarah Baumann (Education and Development Manager at Brass Bands England), who will outline BBE's youth strategy and update on the progress of their national project with youth brass bands and school children.



Brighouse and Rastrick Band | 6:30pm | RNCM Concert Hall

Conductor: Professor David King


Programme:

  • March: 'Pelorus Jack' - Alexander Owen

  • Suite: 'The Unfortunate Traveller' - Imogen Holst

  • 'Prelude on Randolph' - Ray Steadman-Allen

  • 'Meditation on Aberystwyth' - Wilfred Heaton

  • 'Paganini Variations' - Philip Wilby

For more information about the 2022 RNCM Brass Band Festival, check out the dedicated web page here: