World of Brass Mailing - September 2007
This weekend sees the culmination of weeks of preparation as bands from all the British Isles converge on the beautiful spa town of Harrogate to contest the Finals of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th sections of the National Brass Band Championships. We were delighted when one of our own publications, Victorian Snapshots - On Ratcliff Highway was selected as the 1st section test piece and so close to the composer’s birthday too. Our own celebratory concert RSA 85 was held in Croydon’s Fairfield Hall last Saturday, look out for the DVD recording of the concert later this year.
This weekend also sees the launch of our Regionals CD of the five test pieces for next years round of UK Regional contests. The test pieces have already been announced in British Bandsman so we can now reveal the track list for Regionals 2008. The 3rd and 4th section test pieces have been published by Prima Vista Musikk and are available to purchase from World of Brass now.
Earlier this month, the magnificent Cory Band managed to end their sequence of second places at the British Open Brass Band Championship by securing victory and in the process prevented arch rivals Black Dyke Band from achieving the rare and elusive hat-trick. As if on cue, the same day saw the release of a new solo CD from the band’s conductor, Robert Childs. Appropriately called Celebration, this CD of concertos was recorded by Robert to celebrate his 50th birthday year.
Philip Cobb also celebrated a birthday recently and launched his first ever solo CD Life Abundant. Philip is a former Principal Cornet of the National Youth Brass Band and was the first person to win the coveted Harry Mortimer Soloist Prize three years in succession. Philip is now studying trumpet at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama and receives tuition from Paul Beniston and Alison Balsom. We’re sure to hear much more from Philip in the years to come.
Philippe Schartz is a young trumpeter who is already firmly established in the music profession, holding the position of Principal Trumpet in the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. De Lux Trumpet is his second solo CD on the Doyen label and is made up of premiere recordings of new music for trumpet and wind band.
The latest volume in our series The History of Brass Band Music is now available. This selection demonstrates the great variety of styles which have attracted the attention of arrangers over the years.
After a year’s break, the Doyen microphones were back in Delph in June to record Whit Friday Marches 2007. Included are many old favourites, played by bands like Black Dyke and Fodens, along with some less familiar marches played by Salvo Brass and MG Root Band.
Recently we reached agreement with Band Press VOF to become their only UK-based distributor. Over 50 titles are already available so we’ve added a specific Band Press category to our website. Some of the excellent compositions and arrangements are already in use, most notably by Grimethorpe Colliery Band at Brass in Concert 2006. To request a printed catalogue, send an email with your address details to worldofbrass@sp-s.co.uk
Written by Ian McKenzie on September 28th, 2007 with no comments.
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