News
The NABBC is an active association that meets to discuss conducting and promoting the brass band movement as a whole.
- Tragic Death of our Chairman's Son
- Test Piece Workshop Held in S.W. England
- National Convention 2008
- Area 3 (Midlands) AGM 6/1/08
- Area 5 (Wales) Meeting 8/9/07
- Area 5 (Wales) Meeting 23/7/07
- Area 4 (S. W. England) AGM
- The Future of Area 5 (an update)
- News Archive
Tragic Death of our Chairman's Son
Details have been released of a tragic accident that led to the death of Alan, son of our Chairman, Walter Ritchie.
On Wednesday, 30th July Alan and Walter were enjoying a boat trip on the River Trent when the boat became stuck on a sandbank. Alan attempted to free the boat but got into difficulties and drowned. It was three days before the body was recovered, about a quarter of a mile from where he'd gone missing.
Aged 48, Alan was a well respected cornet player, having played with Newark Town Band, Ransome Band, Foss Dyke, Rhodian Brass and Thoresby Colliery Band. He also played with many orchestras and ensembles in Lincolnshire. At the time of his death he was a member of Carlton Brass, of which Walter is Musical Director.
Understandably, Walter, his wife, Marie and Alan’s brother and sister, Graham and Julie, are devastated by their loss.
I’m sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, but I’m sure all members of the NABBC will join me in sending condolences and deepest sympathies to the family. Our thoughts are with them at this very sad and difficult time.
The funeral takes place at St Michael’s Church, High Street, Waddington, Lincoln, on Friday, 15th August at 1.15 p.m., to be followed by a private cremation.
The family has requested donations in lieu of flowers. These, in Alan’s memory, should be sent to Lincolnshire Co-operative Funeral Services, 12 Portland Street, Lincoln LN5 7JX. They should be made payable either to Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, or to L.I.V.E.S.President
Test Piece Workshop Held in S.W. England
The No 4 Area held its annual test piece workshop in Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 19th January. The day was led by Steve Pritchard-Jones, well-known conductor and adjudicator, and member of NABBC and ABBA. Portishead Town Band were once again pleased to be involved as the demonstrating band.
The day began with the 4th section piece – Four Cities Symphony by Rodney Newton, followed by the 3rd section piece – The Dark Side of The Moon by Paul Lovatt-Cooper in the afternoon.
Steve started the workshop by giving some general points about rehearsals and rehearsing a test piece. In particular he explained that he often starts with the test piece at the beginning of a rehearsal with no warm up, as this is usually what has to happen on contest day. He encouraged us to consider playing test pieces or part of them at other occasions, and the 4th section piece is certainly one that lends itself to playing a few movements in a concert for example.
Steve stressed that contesting for the lower sections is all about getting the basics right - the notes, rhythm, intonation, balance, phrasing etc. Regarding dynamics he explained that adjudicators are not expecting the same dynamic range from a 4th section band as they would from a 1st or championship level band. In the lower sections conductors should consider lifting a pianissimo and controlling a fortissimo to avoid compromising the band's sound and balance.
Throughout the workshop Steve was able to draw on his experience as both a conductor and adjudicator as the two roles complement each other well. I felt he gave a very good balance in terms of addressing the issues in the pieces, without telling us exactly what to do. Rather, he pointed out some of the common pitfalls and suggested different ideas one might take back to the band room.
There were a pleasing number of attendees for the 3rd section piece, however the turn out for the morning session was a little disappointing. Many thanks to Steve and The Portishead Town Band for an interesting and enjoyable day.National Convention 2008
See the separate report.
Area 3 (Midlands) AGM 6/1/08
The Area 3 AGM was held at the band-room of Newstead Band. Brian Draper stepped down as chairman and has been replaced by Walter Ritchie. Tom Whitehouse stepped down as secretary and has been replaced by Paul Harding. Dr. Jon Hall has been re-elected as treasurer.
Area 5 (Wales) Meeting 8/9/07
A meeting was held at Tongwynlais to refresh the structure and activities of NABBC in South Wales following the visit of the National President and National Officers to Tongwynlais in June 2007. It was decided to defer the election of Area Officers, since it is anticipated that several more Conductors are likely to become members in the near future
A vigorous discussion resulted in the following programme of events being promulgated for the period up to June 2008:
- 18/11/07: Discussion: The Adjudicator Speaks, a leading personality from the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.
- January 2008: Workshop - Conducting Techniques and Pitfalls, speaker to be confirmed.
- February 2008 (Cardiff) Regional Test-piece Workshop Directed by Dr Robert Childs with the RWCMD Band
- April 2008: NABBC Conductors' Competition Heat
For further details contact Brian Buckley (Chairman) on 01792 205896.
Area 5 (Wales) Meeting 23/7/07
A very successful meeting was held in Tongwynlais Band's headquarters on 23rd June 2007. A dozen or so Welsh conductors met officials of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors to discuss the recent decline in membership and activities of the Association within the region.
Several new members were recruited and, along with written support pledged by a number of conductors who were unable to attend, the future of the No 5 region of the NABBC is now assured.
A formal Annual General Meeting has been convened to take place at Tongwynlais at 2PM. on Saturday, 8th September, at which officers will be elected or confirmed, and when plans for activities in 2008 will be discussed.
Until then, business will be in the capable hands of Brian Buckley (Chairman) and Colin Hogg (Treasurer).
Any conductor residing in South Wales who wishes to become a member of the NABBC should make contact with either Brian or Colin.
Area 4 (S. W. England) AGM
Area 4 held their 2007 AGM at the Salvation Army Hall, Street, on 2/6/07. There was one major change in the officers, Ray Clarke has retired as Area Secretary after 35 years as an Area Officer and has been replaced by David Fisher.
Following the AGM, a competition for aspiring conductors took place. The candidates were required to rehearse a nine-piece brass group in a hymn tune and a short concert piece, the titles of which were decided by lots. The adjudicator was Steve Pritchard-Jones and he took time out from his summarising to give a practical lesson in the aspects of conducting. The winner of the competition was Alasdair Campbell, a student at the Bristol Cathedral School. He plays cornet with Yeovil Town Band and the National Youth Band of Great Britain. He previously played for Staple Hill SA and Bristol East Band.
The Future of Area 5 (an update)
The President of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors, Roy Newsome has shared the concern of the Association’s Executive about the apparent demise over the last few years of our Welsh Region – technically known as ‘Number 5’.
Apart from the annual Area Test Piece Workshops, which seem to have been very successful, NABBC activities in Wales have virtually dried up, with a consequential decline in membership.
Roy is anxious to try to reverse this trend and to get ‘No5’ back on track, with a significant membership, and with events organised on a regular basis for members.
This can only be achieved with the co-operation and enthusiasm of conductors of brass bands in Wales and to this end we are convening a meeting to discuss the situation and to see what can be done.
The meeting will be held in the Tongwynlais band headquarters, Cardiff, at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday, 23rd June 2007.
All brass band conductors, deputy conductors and student conductors will be welcome