The Brass Bulletin #5
Friday 4th February 2022
New appointments, a concerto premiere, new training opportunities and more - here's 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!
Black Dyke Announce New Young Composer in Residence
Norwegian composer and percussionist, Fredrick Schjelderup, has been appointed as Black Dyke Band's new Young Composer in Residence.
The appointment was announced during the band's performance of Fredrick's composition 'A Fantasy of Joy' at the RNCM Brass Band Festival, last weekend.
Sadly, the composer couldn't be there himself due to having to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 when he arrived at Manchester Airport that morning.
Fredrick is the first international holder of the 'Black Dyke Young Composer' title and both the band and composer, Professor Philip Wilby, who has collaborated with the band for over 30 years, welcomed him to the position and announced their excitement for the partnership.
Ensuring Your Band Is Accessible for People with Disabilities
Does your band have an understanding of laws and best practices relating to disability, including reasonable adjustments that need to be made and ensuring that members with disabilities can fully participate in your music-making?
Brass Bands England have partnered with experts at Goss Consultancy to deliver a training session that is focused on promoting 'Disability Confidence'.
This 50-minute interactive virtual session will look at how we can work together to ensure we are welcoming and supporting people with disabilities in the brass band community.
This online training will take place on Tuesday 1st March at 7pm.
Tickets cost £5 for BBE Members and £15 for BBE Non-Members.
To find out more information and to register your place, visit the event webpage here.
West of England Regionals Saved
Well, what a difference a week makes!
Last week it was reported that, due to venue issues, the West of England Regionals couldn't go ahead.
However, after a week of hard work between the West of England Regional Committee and Kapitol promotions, the contest has a new venue and a new date.
The 2022 event will be held at The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse on the 2nd and 3rd of April, with the 4th, 2nd and 1st sections competing on Saturday and the 3rd and Championship sections competing on Sunday.
EBBA Appoints Lilli A.J. Grong As New General Secretary
The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) has announced that Lilly A.J. Grong has been appointed as their new General Secretary.
Lilli is taking over the role following the resignation of Kor Niehof and will act in the post until the formal election at the organisation's Annual General Meeting in May.
Lilli is an alumnus of the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Stavanger and has worked as the manager of the Norwegian band Federation's office in Stavanger since 2009.
Speaking about the appointment, President of the EBBA, Ulf Rosenberg said:
"We feel privileged to invite Lilli to our team and trust that she will add important experience and skills to the organisation. Together, Brass Bands England and EBBA are now working hard to prepare for a successful event in Birmingham in April/May 2022."
Williams and Cory Band to Premiere New Concerto
Star euphonium player, Glyn Williams is set to perform a new concerto from the pen of Philip Harper.
The piece has been commissioned by Micah Parsons and is inspired by the events experienced by his Great Grandfather, Henry Nichols, during the First World War.
The premiere of this new work will be performed at the Cory Band's concert at the Victoria Rooms, Bristol on Sunday 6th February.
70th-anniversary NYBBGB Alumni Reunion
The National Youth Brass band Great Britain is inviting alumni of the band to join the 2022 Easter course at Harrogate Ladies College to celebrate the organisation's 70th anniversary.
The exclusive event offers an opportunity for past players to catch-up with old friends and support the current NYBBGB players, as well as a chance to perform with the Alumni Reunion Band, which will be led by a special guest Alumni conductor.
The timetable for the event is as follows:
1:30 - 2:00pm - Arrivals and registration
2:00 - 3:00pm - Welcome and time to chat over tea and coffee
3:00 - 4:30pm - Watch NYBBGB rehearsal
4:30 - 6:00pm - Light meal in the canteen
6:00 - 7:30pm - Alumni Reunion Band rehearsal
8:00 - 8:30pm - Alumni Reunion Band performs to the NYBBGB
8:30pm - Reunion finishes - option to go to a local pub for drinks in Harrogate
Grab your tickets here.
BBE Launches New Fundraising Service
Brass Bands England have launched a new fundraising service, which will support brass bands to produce and submit grant applications.
This service is the result of grant funding from the Backstage Trust and has been created to:
Help brass bands identify the best funders for their projects.
Support bands in creating and articulating their Case for Support.
Enable bands to be more effective in securing and sustaining new sources of funding for artistic programmes, education/community activities and building projects.
Brass Bands England's new Fundraising Manager, Pamela Johnson, will work with you to support your fundraising efforts.
Pamela is a qualified, professional arts and charity fundraiser, who can help you to navigate the complex environment of public and private funding, supporting you to shape your proposal and ensure you present your chosen funder with the best possible case for support.
To find out more about this service and decide whether it's right for your band, visit BBE's website here.
That’s All Folks!
Well, that wraps up this week’s edition of The Brass Bulletin - you’re up to date!
Let’s see what next week brings!
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