For the past seven years Linda & I have visited the UK to participate in BBB Summer School programs offered there. We have selected two, one in Swansea, Wales, and the other in Bromsgrove, Southwest of Birmingham. Each runs for a week involving extensive rehearsals, individual lessons, tutors recitals, student solos & ensembles, seminars on conducting and arranging, and finally a full band concert the final evening. Participants represent numerous countries although most are UK residents. In addition we have scheduled visits to several brass bands each year to sit in on rehearsals as well as play a few concerts.
Although most features of the summer schools remain the same, each Summer brings memorable exceptions. Our first week in Swansea was under the direction of the well-known Childs brothers: Dr. Nicholas Childs, the Musical Director of Black Dyke, who brings a background as a world class euphonium soloist, and has demonstrated his ability to take a top-ranked band to even greater musical heights and accomplishments, and Nick’s brother, Dr. Robert Childs, also a world class euphonium artist, and also conductor of a top championship band, The Cory Band Both were friendly, knowledgeable, and demanding enough, to bring the summer school bands to a satisfying performance level by the final concert
This year an entire Brass Band from Japan took part in the Swansea program. Although facilities were a bit crowded at times the planners did a very good job of minimizing any inconveniences. For me the advantages of having the Japanese group there far outweighed any inconvenience. One evening they presented the rest of us with an exciting concert exhibiting great talent, virtuosity, and showmanship. During the week they set an example of personal and musical discipline to make any conductor salivate. This year the “Whit Friday March” (parade) was held inside very creatively when the weather turned wet.
Our second week in Bromsgrove was a held on the beautiful campus of Bromsgrove School. Musical Director was Richard Evans, bringing a lifetime of top musical credits to the podium. Supremely talented, energetic way beyond his 70 & some years, he continued to make pleasure out of the obvious work of rehearsal. High points this week were the "Whit Friday" parade in the SUN, the tutors' concert as well as the Friday night concert.
During our third week we drove North to Yorkshire to visit the Black Dyke Band’s home in Queensbury where we were received graciously at a rehearsal by NIck Childs and several band members with whom we became acquainted at the summer school. .No, we didn’t sit in as they were intent on contest preparations.
As usual, our experiences in the UK have led us to several new pieces of music for our GSBBB library and numerous new entries in our address book. The new music will begin appearing at rehearsals soon.
Several other GSBBB members have attended these Summer schools in past years, including Joan LaRue, Penny Dodd, Craig Spurrier, Jane Carter, Jeanine Flores, Elaine Vanek, Ken Sterling and this year Jack Hollander, our MD. In that regard it must be mentioned that Jack & Norm presented Clarke’s duet “Cousins” at the student recital in Swansea; where they were rewarded with medals as “most experienced soloist.”
Brass banding has changed our travel from a superficial tourist experience into a deeply fraternal one with expanded personal contacts among people who share our passion for this exciting music.
Information about the 2009 summer schools will be available early next year.
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Last updated September 13, 2008