Twice in one year

....we're banding at the seaside. As well as this coming Sunday's concert in Sunny Hunny, we're also making the journey to Folkstone in the Autumn for the contest.

I've heard several of us asking exactly when it is in October (myself included), so I've just checked on t'internet and it's October 16th. Mark the date on your calendars folks, because it will be a grand day out.

Punching above our weight

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!

Hitting those high notes

Long time no post. I thought I'd try to get things moving again on the blog, but please, if anyone else wants to be an author on this blog, let me know. I'm sure there's many band members with interesting and valuable topics they would like to put forward and have discussed.

Anyway, I would like some help despite being able to (occasionally) hit the high notes (top D) in Donegal Bay, I am struggling big time. So, does anyone have any advice on specific practice/exercises I can do to help me get higher? Is it a mouthpiece related thing? I do a lot of lip building and flexibility exercises (I have John Ridgeon's 'How Brass Players Do It'), which help to a degree; will these help with high notes?

Any words of help and wisdom will be hugely appreciated.

Great concert, shame about the football!

Last Sunday saw the band perform it's first concert of the year, in the grounds of the wonderfully picturesque Oxburgh Hall. It was an extremely hot June afternoon under the gazebo, with no hint of a cooling breeze. Given the temperature, the band played fantastically well, giving our appreciative audience performances of music new to our reportoire, which all went down very well. The soloists all did cracking jobs (especially Steve, depping on Euphonium), the front row switching to trumpets for a ripping rendition of 'All Night Long' was a refreshing change, as were the two Queen numbers. And a big thank you to the deps who helped us out.

The band received some great feedback afterwards from the audience, and I think we can take positives from this performance and build on them throughout the series of summer concerts. And I personally would like to play at Oxburgh Hall next year, I think it's a lovely location (even though it is 'out in the sticks' a bit - said from someone who lived in Manea for years!).

Sutton Prom next, a different beast entirely though.....

It's All In The Arrangement

I have a confession to make. One that I'm not particularly ashamed of, but one that I never thought I would make. I like playing 'My Fair Lady'. No, that's not correct. I really like playing 'My Fair Lady'. There, I've said it!

Throughout my banding life, I've never been a fan of suites from shows and films, particuarly those from a bygone era; shows that many would deem classics (and having not seen them, who am I to disagree?). But our audiences like to hear them, and that's all that matters.

I've been thinking about why I've taken a shine to this one, and it's down to the arrangement. As simple as that. We've played a few Alan Fernie arrangements and compositions ('Ticket to Ride' and 'Alpine Lullaby' spring to mind), and I like these too. I can't put my finger on what he does to make them good to play. Maybe it's the clever touches (I love the cornet 'wedding bell' effect towards the start of 'My Fair Lady'). It could be that the individual parts seem to be interesting to play (well, the 1st baritone part is). Maybe he has a knack of making relatively old music sound fresh and not twee. Whatever it is, I like it. I may not be saying this in a few months time after playing it throughout the summer, but somehow I think I will.

Now, I wonder if Alan Fernie has done an arrangement of music from one of my all time films (yes, I know I'm about to contradict most of what I've just said), 'The Wizard of Oz'....?

Video won't kill this radio 'star'

If you want to hear me no doubt embarrass myself on air again, I'm on BBC Radio Cambs this Tuesday (16th) between 2 and 3pm. I'll be plugging the band too :-D

Enn-ger-land

So, who's watching the footy?