Saturday 20th October
Central Methodist Church, Hucknall
The day's events
Annual general meeting
Click here for photos of the day
The day's events:
Around 40 Association members met in Hucknall and spent the morning rehearsing for the evening concert. After lunch, whilst the bands' staff me for the annual general meeting, other visited the neaby 10-pin bowling alley for a fun-packed afternoon.
The evening concert in Hucknall Central Methodist Church attracted a large audience and the following report appeared in the local paper, the Hucknall Dispatch, written by reporter Denis Robertson:
Sheer dedication
CONCERT - Boys Brigade (BB) National Brass Band, Hucknall Central Methodist Church
During this concert, a comment was made that young people are more likely to get publicity by throwing a brick through a shop window than performing in a band. Utter nonsense, of course, as the Dispatch's pages constantly testify. And this review should also go some way towards dismissing such perceptions.
The youngsters in the band - girls as well as boys, incidentally - certainly merit full marks for their-sheer dedication. Members of the 40-strong band, which also included adult officers, had travelled from as far afield as Glasgow and Southampton.
Illustrating the band's faith in youth, one of the players, Amy Smith, of Nottingham, was celebrating her tenth birthday on the day of the concert.
It was also gratifying to see a near-full house for the event, which comprised -a satisfying blend of lively marches and tranquil religious items. The programme ranged from 'Anchors Aweigh', the signature tune of the US Navy, to Bach's 'Anna Magdalena', dedicated to the composer's wife. The concert opened with 'Slaidburn', a march named after a Lancashire village with which the composer, William Rimmer, formed a close rapport. The tune was featured in the film, 'The Full Monty, but the programme notes humorously stressed: 'I have been assured that no-one from the band is going to do that tonight!'
With a shortage of rehearsal time, the performance could not avoid occasional rough edges. But conductor David Carter, who is secretary of the National BB Band Association, elicited some admirably expressive playing.
Musical and poetic interludes were provided by Marjorie Bloomfield and Margaret Craig, who also proved an engaging comedy duo.
The joint comperes were the association president, Don West, of Hucknall, and its assistant secretary, John McIntyre.
Annual
general meeting:
A large proportion of the meeting was spent discussing the following items. Many views were put forward and debated. The following is a summary of the recommendations for the next year or so. It was agreed that it will be necessary to review these items regularly to ensure we are continually providing for the young people in our bands.
In general, it was agreed that two events per year were manageable. More than this may be difficult for bands and would only be considered after discussion with bands.
Financial assistance with bands’ travel costs, from Association funds, should also be investigated for any national event.
National Brass Band Contest
Due to the current strength of bands, it was agreed not to hold a contest in 2003.
It was agreed to review the current rules over the next 6 months and to discuss these next year, with a view to holding a contest, if at all possible, in 2004.
Bands were asked to give this proposal some thought and pass their views to the Secretary.
Massed concerts
It was agreed, for 2003, to try to stage a major public concert in March and another ‘church’ concert during the annual Get-together weekend in October.
For the March concert, a suitable venue will need to be found (bearing in mind costs). It was agreed that major public concerts would be more beneficial in areas where there are no BB brass bands, as this would be good PR for the Brigade.
We are currently investigating a venue for the concert.
In January, some new music may be circulated for bands to prepare for the concert. Suggestions would be welcomed. This will enable more rehearsal time – as the time available on the day of the event is very limited. It would be expected that all pieces in the programme would be fully rehearsed by individual bands in advance.
Band training
It was hoped to go ahead with a national band training weekend over the early May bank holiday weekend (2nd–5th May), at RAF Cosford. Unfortunately, however, we have since received confirmation that the base is not available this year.
It was also agreed that specific training for bandmasters/future bandmasters is very much overdue and this will now be investigated.
Future Ideas
Get-together: It was agreed that the 2003 Get-together weekend would take place on 18th/19th October and will be jointly hosted by the 2nd Eastleigh band.
FDF Music Festival 2004: There is initial interest from some bands’ members. It was agreed to keep a ‘watching brief’ on this. Details will follow when information becomes available from Denmark.