Blimey, I must have got my blogging mojo back! Two posts in as many days!An enjoyable rehearsal last night, with almost a full band. With a couple of trombones, five on the front row, we did some solid work on some of the music for our remaining summer gigs. (I can't get bloomin' 'Matchmaker' out of my head today though!)
For me though, the best part of the evening was having a blow through 'Purcell Variations' by Kenneth Downie, a potential piece for Folkstone. Undoubtedly the hardest piece we've looked at (certainly since I've been in the band), I thought we had a good go at it. Think back to the first time we blew through 'Kingdom of Dragons'; a lot of us were probably thinking 'we're never going to get this contest ready in time' (I know I was). And look what we achieved at the Areas. If we do decide to play this in October (we've got 'Cross Patonce' by Goff Richards to try next week), I'm certain we'll give a good account of ourselves. It's the type of piece that suits the band, like the aforementioned 'Kingdon of Dragons' and 'The Dark Side of the Moon'. Even from this first run through, the majority seemed to be enjoying it.
I've already touched on 'Purcell Variations' relative difficulty. As Nigel said last night, it's a First Section test piece. And as he also said, there is every possibility that we can go up to the First Section after next springs Area contest. So, what are your thoughts on us playing this level music now? Should we play it (relatively) safe with music relative to our Section, or should we be ambitious and 'punch above our weight'?
If anyone wants to listen to 'Purcell Variations' do a Youtube search, there's a recording of Black Dyke playing it - superb music!
Personally, I think the band should start to push itself with top end Second Section and First Section music, both for own choice contests and for concerts.
ReplyDeleteThe band is noticably improving all the time, reflected by our Stevenage results, but also by our annual concerts, for example, Sutton Prom. If we may be in the First Section in a year or so, it makes sense to start moving in that direction now, to get the foundations in place.
Sure, we don't want to work solely on this level of material, and, given the types of music tat our concert audiences like, we won't. But it's a very positive move on Nigel's part; one which I'm sure the band will respond too similarly.
One important thing that I forget to say in my previous comment - another reason that I don't think we should play music at the next level all the time is because we don't want anyone to get left behind. The band must move forward together, and I'm sure Nigel's aware of this. It's about getting the right balance, and he's certainly achieved the right one so far.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Shaun, as per usual
ReplyDeleteThe band is improving all the time, last nights rehearsal was an indication of that. a new piece to blow through, not just any test piece but a 1st section piece. The band attacked it with confidence and wasn't phased by it, we have made definate progress over the past 3 years, good job NB, good job players. Roll on Folkestone
Lets hit Stevenage hard in March 2011, we are so close to 1st section and the finals, lets practice our cheer when Littleport is announced as a 2nd section finalist.
And a great response as usual Andrew (plenty of backslapping around here ;-p ). You're right, the band didn't seem at all phased by 'Purcell Variations', a definite sure sign of us moving forward. I think our work on the stern test that was 'Kingdom of Dragons' is paying us dividends. Although too early to be getting too carried, Harrogate next September has a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteAndrew - so what are your thoughts on the band pushing forward with more difficult music, balancing this out reportoire at our current level, as per my original post?
ReplyDeleteI've finally found the much sort after blog! And its a really good idea for everyone to voice their opinions on here.
ReplyDeleteInitially just seen this subject, and would like to say that the new music we've had out isn't necessarily written for high section bands although it is more challenging (and mostly better music than the usual stuff). I don't put music into difficulty catagaries, to me its all the same but has it's different challenges.
As we found out last night, even the more simple pieces arn't easy to get right - such as Nimrod, which takes alot of work. Its merely the attitude towards how we play/produce music which involves the hard work, like full notes, note values, phrasing, sound, dymamic variance. We need to apply this to every piece of music we play, easy and hard.
See you all soon!
Matt