New Canadian Brass Recordings

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 31st, 2007 with no comments.
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World of Brass Update - March 2007

In our last update at the end of February we told you about three more new releases due at the end of March.

The first of these, The Promised Land from Cory Band, was received into stock last week and many of you have already spotted it on the World of Brass website, placed your orders and received your copies. This CD can be seen as a worthy successor to the band’s successful Brass Band Classics series and includes five substantial works by composers all born within eight years of each other. Incidentally, the sheet music for The Promised Land is also now available and is sure to be of interest to Championship Section bands considering their options for future ‘own choice’ contests. 

Stock of the DVD Highlights from the Brass in Concert Championship and World of Brass in Concert 2006 are expected any day so we’ve made the product available to order on the World of Brass website now. Included is the winning programme from Brighouse and Rastrick Band and also the whole of the World of Brass in Concert featuring Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the sensational Brass Band of Central Florida. There was so much great material from this year’s event that we found it impossible to squeeze everything onto t wo discs hence our decision to make it a triple DVD this time.

Unfortunately, there have been further delays on the launch of Grimethorpe in Concert Volume III from Grimethorpe Colliery Band but we can assure you that the disc will be worth the wait! 

Other new recordings available since our last update include the latest recording from Brett Baker who this time has teamed up with Kew Band Melbourne to bring a programme containing an interesting mix of new and old material for trombone and brass band.
Norman Bearcroft celebrated his 80th birthday last year and our cameras were at Regent Hall, London to record the tribute concert for DVD. The concert featured Household Troops Band, International Staff Songsters, Kevin Ashman (cornet), Derick Kane (euphonium) along with spoken tributes from several of Norman’s friends, colleagues and family.

Last month we told you about the upcoming availability of some of our titles as MP3 downloads. As a prelude to the launch of our own MP3 download site, we have entered into a partnership with www.theclassicalshop.net to offer you the ability to obtain tracks from CDs recently deleted from our catalogue. Selected new titles will also be available from www.theclassicalshop.net from mid-April.
We will bring you the exciting news about our own World of Brass download site in the next few weeks.

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 29th, 2007 with no comments.
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Canadian Staff Band Personnel Changes

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 26th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on People and Salvation Army and Announcements and Canada.

NABBA: The Brass Band Bridge

Issue 103 or The Brass Band Bridge is available for download from the page linked below.

Issue 103 contains an extensive preview of the NABBA XXV Championships and more:

# NABBA Silver Bells Capital Campaign current donors.
# Buffet Crampon announces sponsorship of NABBA XXV
# Tor Designs to supply NABBA XXV with music stand banners and new prize banners
# Band Concert Programs
# NABBA XXV Championships Preview: Test pieces, adjudicators, gala band, competing bands
# Compact Disc Reviews (Ronald W. Holz)
# Entrance Ramp: Focus on Youth Bands: Cincinnati Honors Youth Band (Tony Granados)
# Brass Band of Central Florida’s Trip to England (Woody Anderson)
# Whatever Happened to… NABBA Founder J. Perry Watson (Douglas Yeo)
# Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass (Diana Herak)
# The Brass Band Aid Clebrity Band and “The Big Blow 2007″(Douglas Yeo)
# Regular features: Under the Bridge (Editor’s column), Atop the Bridge (President’s column), Across the Bridge (upcoming events), In Focus (this issue’s featured bridge), Eric Ball’s Point of View, Building Bridges (news from NABBA members and bands), Exit Ramp (contact information, credits and acknowledgments).

NABBA: The Brass Band Bridge

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 14th, 2007 with no comments.
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Matthew Clark Releases New Euphonium CD

Matthew Clark

Presents

“EUPHONIUM”

Euphonium Recital and CD Release on the ARKTOS Label Matthew Clark, euphonium and Janet Scott Hoyt, piano Saturday, March 31^st, 2007

7:30 pm.

McDougall United Church

On Saturday, March 31^st, Matthew Clark presents a euphonium recital and release of his new CD titled Euphonium. Janet Scott Hoyt will join him at the piano. The concert will be held at McDougall United Church, 10025-101 Street and will begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $12 adults and $10 for seniors/students. Tickets are available at the door or in advance from TIX on the Square (420 1757 or www.tixonthesquare.ca).

The euphonium is a tenor-voiced member of the tuba family and as its name implies, its sound in the hand of a master is sweet, pleasing, luscious, lyrical, dark, virtuosic and explosive. The concert will feature original works by Philip Wilby, Philip Sparke, Brian Bowen and Hiroshi Hoshina; an arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise; as well as a spectacularly agile set of variations on Auld Lang Syne by Simone Mantia.

Matthew Clark is quickly being recognised as one of Canada’s premier euphonium soloists. He is the euphonium soloist of The Royal Canadian Artillery Band, one of only six professional military bands in Canada, and based at the Edmonton Garrison.

Janet Scott Hoyt is one of the most sought-after collaborators in the Canadian music scene and is on the faculty of the Department of Music at the University of Alberta, where she supervises a graduate program in piano pedagogy.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES please call Matthew Clark at 456-2628, or e-mail euphonium@shaw.ca. Matthew Clark has a new website at: www.matthewclark.ca

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 5th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Instruments and Euphonium and Recordings and Announcements and Canada and Concerts.

Canadian Staff Band Participate in International Recording Project

On March 28 and 30, the CSB will be recording several tracks for an international recording project tentatively entitled “Windows of the World.” The compilation will bring together various staff music sections from around the world who will each contribute 10-12 minutes of newly-recorded music. When completed, proceeds from the sales of the 3 or 4-CD set will go directly to Salvation Army world mission projects undertaken by the various territories represented by the staff sections. For example, money from CDs sold in Canada and Bermuda will go directly to overseas mission work undertaken by our own territory.

Canadian Staff Band » International Recording Project

Written by Ian McKenzie on March 4th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Salvation Army and Announcements and Canada and Bands.

The Salvation Army Reading Central Band Tour of Ontario

Reading Central Band count it a privilege to be conducting an
Easter tour of Canada from 30th March to 9th April 2007.

• Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April
  Woodstock
• Monday 2nd April
  Burlington
• Tuesday 3rd April
  Simcoe
• Wednesday 4th April
  Ottawa
• Thursday 5th April
  Morning concert
  Outside the Parliament Building, Ottawa
  Evening concert
  Peterborough 
• Good Friday 6th April
  Morning service
  Peterborough
• Evening 
  Etobicoke
• Saturday 7th April and Sunday 8th April
  Barrie

Written by Ian McKenzie on February 23rd, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Salvation Army and Announcements and Canada and Concerts and Bands.

World of Brass mailing - February 2007

National Brass Band Championships 2006 is the complete record of last year’s National Championships Finals as it includes all five winning performances from the five sections.
Essential Dyke Volume VII is the latest in the Essential Dyke series and includes the band’s winning performance of Philip Wilby’s Vienna Nights, the test piece of the 2006 British Open Brass Band Championships.
Kirsty Abbotts is acknowledged as one of the finest principal cornet players around and is renowned for her lyrical tone. This can be heard to great effect on her first solo CD Soliloquy where she is accompanied by her band, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery.
Many of the finest trumpet players in the world were brought together last year by Paul Archibald to present a concert at the Royal Academy of Music, London. The line-up included Hans Gansch, Florian Klingler, Rod Franks and Maurice Murphy. You can hear this star-studded collection of trumpeters on the latest CD on the Brass Classics label, Proclamation.

Arriving towards the end of March will be three more new releases.
Grimethorpe in Concert Volume III is the latest release from Grimethorpe Colliery Band and their first since reverting to their original name following a change of sponsor.
In November, Grimethorpe narrowly managed to complete a double hat-trick at the Brass in Concert Championship having been pipped at the post by Brighouse and Rastrick Band.
Our latest DVD includes the winning programme from Brighouse and Rastrick Band and also features the whole of the World of Brass in Concert featuring Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the sensational Brass Band of Central Florida. There was so much great material from this year’s event that we found it impossible to squeeze everything onto two discs, hence our decision to make it a triple DVD this time.
The own choice test piece section of the  European Brass Band Contest 2006 was won by Buy As You View Band playing Kenneth Downie’s  specially commissioned The Promised Land. They have now made a studio recording of this wonderful music along with some other brass band blockbusters. The Promised Land is surely an early contender for CD of the Year. The band has also reverted to its original name, Cory, as the three year sponsorship agreement with Buy As You View comes to an end.

The deadline for entries for the European Soloists Competition 2007 is Wednesday 28th February. The cornet solo chosen for the final round is Robert Redhead’s Life Abundant. Up to now, this solo has not been commercially available but we are pleased to announce that the original manuscript has now been originated and is available in our Judd Street Collection format.

During the course of next week our administration and warehouse operations will be re-locating to Wellingborough. This means that our offices are now closed until Monday 5th March although you will still be able to place your order at www.worldofbrass.com. Orders for UK and European countries within the European Union will be despatched from our London shop but the re-location will mean a delay in the despatch of orders to the rest of the world. We thank you in advance for your patience during this period.

Finally, we always try our best to help, so we’d love to hear from you if you think there’s anything we could do better. Please call our Mail Order department on their new number 01933 445445 from Monday 5th March, email us at worldofbrass@sp-s.co.uk or write to us at World of Brass, Salvationist Publishing and Supplies Ltd.
66 - 78 Denington Road, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 2QH.

To make sure that World of Brass email updates continue to reach you, please add mailing@worldofbrass.com to your address book or contacts.

Written by Ian McKenzie on February 23rd, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Music and Salvation Army and Recordings and Announcements.

SpitValve is Back Online

After shutting down because of unauthorised access to the database files (read hacking), SpitValve has been able to restore the data and is back online. They’ve applied a security update to the forum software, so hopefully this minimises future incidents.

The ”official” site for brass band ”talk” in Australasia - set up to promote banding and facilitate positive discussion between members of the banding movements

SpitValve :: Index

Written by Ian McKenzie on February 7th, 2007 with no comments.
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Hannaford Street Silver Band Festival of Brass 2007

TORONTO’S AWARD-WINNING HANNAFORD STREET SILVER BAND PRESENTS ITS 4th ANNUAL’FESTIVAL OF BRASS’ FEATURING THE HANNAFORD YOUTH BAND’S YOUNG ARTIST SOLO COMPETITION, AND THE HSSB DEBUT OF THE NEW YORK STAFF BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY ON MARCH 2, 3 AND 4.

News Release, January 15, 2007. Toronto’s award-winning Hannaford Street Silver Band presents its 4th annual FESTIVAL OF BRASS during the weekend of Friday, March 2 through Sunday afternoon, March 4, 2007. This exciting festival of youth, community and the very best of professional music-making in joyous collaboration takes place in the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre, 27 Front Street East, Toronto.

The HSSB is offering a Festival Pass to all 5 Events for only $60! Individual concert prices are given below.
Call: 416-366-7723.

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE I - FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 2nd - 7:30 PM. $20

The HSSB Is proud to welcome The Ontario Central Reservists Band of the Salvation Army, Geoffrey Norton, Bandmaster; The Weston Silver Band, Larry Shields, Music Director; and the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army, Brian Burditt, Bandmaster as they commence our weekend with Showcase performances.

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE II - SATURDAY, MARCH 3rd from 12:30 PM - 6:15 PM. $20

This Showcase includes: The Orillia Silver Band, conducted by Director Jim Ferris; Toronto’s Metropolitan Silver Band, conducted by Fran Harvey; Whitby Brass Band, conducted by Roland Hill; the Intrada Brass of Oakville, conducted by Music Director Bram Gregson; Ottawa’s Maple Leaf Brass Band, conducted by Director David Druce; and New York State’s Buffalo Silver Band with Director/Conductor Pim Leibman.

Some of the bands in both Showcases may compete for The Hannaford Cup, in homage to the great tradition of brass band competitions which still exists today. The Hannaford Cup, a new initiative introduced this year, will be awarded to the band judged for the best performance of William Rimmer’s stirring march Slaidburn.

RISING STARS - SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 3rd - 10:00 AM - NOON. $25

To encourage young musicians, the HSSB is a proud sponsor of its vibrant Education Program which provides a fantastic opportunity for brass players ages 10 to 22, under the leadership of Anita McAlister and Darryl Eaton. The three young ensembles will perform a variety of brass band showpieces. The Hannaford Junior Band which made its first appearance in 2005 is conducted by Anita McAlister who also conducts the Hannaford Community Band, newly formed this season and designed to fill the “gap” between the Junior and Youth Bands. Three finalists in the “Hannaford Idol” style Young Artist Solo Competition will perform with the Hannaford Youth Band, conducted by Darryl Eaton, for an opportunity to be a soloist with the HSSB. The audience votes to select the winner, who will perform with the HSSB at their Heavy Metal concert on Sunday.

NEW YORK STAFF BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY - SATURDAY, MARCH 3rd - 8:00 PM.

Tickets: Regular $30. Senior $20.

The United States’ New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army was formed in 1887. As part of its 120th anniversary celebration this year, the Band is delighted to mark its debut in the HSSB’s Festival of Brass to perform selections from its popular repertoire including Call of the Cossacks by Peter Graham, Eternal Song by Joseph Turrin and Exaltate by Kenneth Downie, led by Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris.

HEAVY METAL - SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 4th - 3:00 PM.

Tickets: Regular: $34; Senior $28; and Student $23.
Groups of ten: Adult Group $20. Student Group $16.

At 2:15, the HSSB’s Co-founder and Executive Director Ray Tizzard will hold a pre-concert chat in the lobby of the Jane Mallet Theatre with euphonium virtuoso Aaron VanderWeele.

The afternoon’s Heavy Metal is the exciting Grand Finale to the Festival, led by the HSSB’s Artistic Director and Resident Conductor Curtis Metcalf. This low brass extravaganza will feature the brass band showpiece, Rhapsody In Brass by Dean Goffin and a performance by the winner of the Hannaford Youth Band’s 2007 Solo Competition. Guest soloist Aaron VanderWeele, Euphonium Soloist with the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, will also perform. This concert will feature Faustbuch, a new work for tuba and band by Canadian composer Elizabeth Raum, arr: by Dorothy Gates, performed by the HSSB’s Tuba Soloist Robert Brown. This is a programmatic work based upon the Faust legend.

Phone Orders: 416-366-7723 St. Lawrence Centre Box Office, 27 Front St. East
Or: 1-800-708-6754

On-line Orders: www.stlc.com

2006-2007 season: Fall 2006.

Written by Ian McKenzie on January 30th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on North America and Festivals and Announcements and Canada and Bands.

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