| Tuition - Brass Band Summer Schools |
My Brass Band Summer School Experience By a course delegate from the 2001 Canford Summer School. The idyllic grounds of Canford Magna School echoed to the chords of brass this summer during the famous Canford Summer School. This year represented a bold move by conductor in residence Bob Childs who experimented with the tried and tested formula of selecting tutors from the conductor’s band, as in the days of James Watson and Jim Gourlay, instead drawing on talent from many bands and soloists in order to provide a rich tapestry of experience to inspire the course’s students. The Brass Band course is run along side many other courses taking place on the same campus including; conducting courses; choir courses; symphony, wind and chamber orchestra courses and many more. Each year these week long courses are subscribed to by musicians from all over the world who are keen to receive expert tuition, make music and have a good time. Bathed in the sun of the South Coast and just a stone’s throw from Bournemouth and Poole, the course’s perfect location was matched by the challenge that Bob presented to all who attended the course. The course format aimed to give delegates of all ages and all standards a fine balance of education, music making and enjoyment. The organisation of the course into three sessions, two in the morning and one in the evening provided the students with a varied diet of music. Mornings saw a session devoted to the music that would become the concert repertoire of the band followed by specific master classes given by Bob, ably assisted by Euphonium Player of the Year, David Childs and the assistant principal cornet of Black Dyke, Chris Turner. These sessions proved that Bob is not only a superb clinician on the pages of the Bandsman, seeing him give the benefit of his experience and research into the techniques of playing to a live audience proved beyond doubt that he does not have to be playing full time to be a consummate performer. Afternoons were generally free giving course members the opportunity to make use of the on site swimming pool and tennis courts or simply take a relaxing stroll in the beautiful surroundings. The keen musician also had the option of individual lessons and ensemble practice with the tutorial staff. The players also benefited from the expert advice of Black Dyke’s principal, Roger Webster, who stopped by to give a technically brilliant display in his inspiring master class. Students were in for even more of a treat when Roger, Bob and David combined talents in a dazzling show of virtuoso bravura in an impromptu lunchtime recital. Roger, Chris and David all appeared courtesy of Boosey and Hawkes Musical Instruments Ltd. Each day ended with an early evening rehearsal, which became known as the ‘sight reading session’. During ‘sight reading’ sessions the band were given the opportunity to tackle substantial works for brass band in knowledge that such repertoire was not to be programmed for final concert. Many students blanched at the sight of parts for Wilby’s Lowry Sketchbook and Pagannini Variations, stands were brought ever closer through Eric Ball’s High Peak and Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Brass Band but Bob’s common sense approach soon soothed frayed nerves. Advice was given that helped players ‘keep up’ with the most demanding pieces and confidence grew as the students realised that if you keep calm and count, it is amazing how much of even the hardest piece you can put in the first time through. The sense of achievement felt after starting at the top left hand corner and finishing at the bottom of some of our movement’s most challenging repertoire was very special for the majority of the band. One senior delegate commented, “When I first saw the repertoire list of music to be played on the course I was a little worried that I would be left behind. However, being guided through such masterworks became the highlight of my course – I was playing music that I would not normally be given the opportunity to play in my village band.” After the work for the day was completed both the tutors and band members were able to retire to the onsite bar where they could join in with many of the social events that the course stewards had organised throughout the week. Members of the course were as varied as the music they played. British bands from Scotland to the south were represented and supported by a substantial following from Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. These overseas players once again astounded everyone with their commitment to music, one, a professional Viola player by trade, loved music so much that his main hobby was playing Bass Trombone! Whilst on the course, students had the opportunity to sample the other forms of music-making available during the Canford Summer Schools and were also treated to lunchtime concerts from all types of ensembles. One memorable moment took place during the Course’s 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance when Bob was passed the baton of the Salon Orchestra by their director, Malcolm Binney, and conducted David through an incredible rendition of the Carnival of Venice. For the band however, the highlights of the week were their own concerts where they got to show just how well they had overcome the technical and musical challenges set them by the selection of music. The Thursday afternoon concert gave as many players as possible the opportunity to stand up and play solos. After giving a sterling solo performance Eb Bass player, Iwan Lewis, described the mixture of trepidation and anticipation felt by many of the players: “I have never had the opportunity to play a solo with a band before. The experience was fantastic - It made my week.” David Childs treated Thursday’s audience with a stunning performance of Brilliante before he was joined by his fellow euphonium players for a quick dash through Blaydon Races. Other works performed in this light hearted concert included; The Floral Dance, theme music from the hit films Batman, Star Wars and Zooloo as well as some traditional brass band marches and hymn tunes. By Friday night the band was confident of their own abilities and were more than ready for their crowning performance in the recently refurbished Gisborough Concert Hall. The capacity audience, many of whom were experienced musicians from other disciplines came to find out just what all the fuss was about over a ‘mere’ brass band. Even those who in the back of their mind doubted the inclusion of brass bands on a ‘serious’ music course were converted after being treated to such varied fare as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Cortege from Malada to a polished and well-interpreted account of Peter Graham’s Shine as the Light. Chris Turner’s masterful performance of Blessed Assurance displayed the tonal qualities and technical scope of the cornet and trumpet family as he began on flugel and ended on the piccolo trumpet. The solo showcase continued with a beautiful performance of Joy Webb’s Share My Yoke, by James, the band’s Irish principal cornetist, and a characterful rendition of the comical trombone trio, Trombola. Several lighter pieces followed to display the band’s versatility before concluding with Peter Graham’s Celtic tour de force,: Gaelforce, which featured the lyrical flugel sound of Bob’s wife, Lorraine. "The concert was a huge success," enthused the course’s director of music, Malcolm Binney. "Watching the way the course and concert developed became a revolutionary insight into the life of brass bands today. It was fun, it was serious and above all it was sheer music." The new mix brought to the Canford Summer School from it’s association with Bob Childs was a great success. One delegate, Reg Dawkins, who has attended every year since its inception commented: "This has been the best brass band summer school I have ever attended." A view which a share. I can strongly recommend the ‘Brass Band Summer School’ experience to anyone who his serious about having a good time and making music. Listed below are details of the two main week long brass band summer school courses David will be tutoring on in 2004.
International Brass Band Summer School 2005
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