This weekend was the Senior Band's annual pilgrimage to Perth where we have competed in the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships for the last 3 years. This year was little different, because for the first time at a British Contest with a set Test Piece, the adjudicators were in the open and could see exactly who was playing.
The band arrived in Perth early Friday evening after a day on the road. At 7.30 we all arrived at St Ninian's Cathedral for rehearsal. What a rehearsal space! If we could move that acoustic to the bandroom, we would! Mark Bentham put the band through their paces applying the finishing touches to the already strong interpretation of Simon Dobson's new work "...and when the river told...".
A fun filled evening ensued as the contest wasn't due to begin until after lunch the next day. We had already been drawn to play 12th in the 15 band field, so didn't meet for our pre-contest rehearsal until 2.30. The very last touches and we were ready to go!
We took to the stage around 5pm, in an unusual formation. Cornets were split up, with the back row sitting where the front row usually sit, front row and sop opposite and horns in the back row's usual position. Although at first this may have seemed strange, it proved to be an effective setup as the piece went on.
1] ...and so the river flows...
The piece opened with a mixture of muted and open cornets, playing repeated patterns to resemble the sound of a flowing river, with some percussion effects (including bowing a vibraphone!). This becomes the accompaniment to a horn solo, which Lynne Campbell played stood out of the band to ensure it carried and to provide visual interest.
The piece then builds up to the second movement...
2] ...the charter is granted...and a storm rages...
This movement is much more boistrous and depicts a storm and introduces some of the themes that make up the main elements of the piece. There are solos in this section for cornet (Joanne Johnson) and euphonium (Nick Birch). This then builds up to a climax which almost immediately drops away to lead into the third movement...
3] ...and still the river flows...
The cornet and percussion material from the beginning of the piece returns, this time accompanying a melodic trombone solo, ably played by David Chapman, and then a soprano cornet solo, featuring John Atkinson. This makes way for two more melodic solos ably played by Carina Halliwell on flugel and Joanne Johnson on cornet.
4] ...the clan battle of North Inch...
The piece then takes a change of pace when the front row play a fanfare (with dissonant sounds and flutter tonguing effects) before a percussion and back row build up to a full band depiction of the battle. At this point the horns and the cornets simulate the two clans in this battle, and their positions on stage become very effective.
A chorale for the dead
The vibraphone effects are now developed further as the battle is over, and the scene is more desolate.
5] ...and the river flows...
The river themes return and new material is introduced by the cornet (Joanne Johnson) imitated by the flugel (Carina Halliwell).
6] ...from glass and dye to modern times...
This is then developed, with earlier material briefly returning as the piece builds up to a dramatic climax featuring all sections of the band.
After a long wait (the current National Champions of Great Britain, Brighouse & Rastrick Band played a Gala Concert), the results were in. In third place.......... Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band. Although we were disappointed not to have had a top spot we were still pleased to be the best English band at the contest, and were especially pleased to find out that the composer had placed us first because of the way our story was told.
For full results, go to the SBBA Website.
As is typical of the Pem spirit, we celebrate well into the night and enjoyed a leisurely journey home the next day!
