2001:
BTB Year in Review Part IV - The Second Section Strikes Back
September-October:
- The
band rounded off their Summer programme with a busy September concert schedule,
kicking off with with the annual Band Day Out, postponed from earlier in the
year. We performed a concert at the London Royal Hospital, where we were warmly
welcomed by the Chelsea Pensioners (especially Evil Sarah Leeves, whose
penchant for Guinness seemed to impress them greatly!), then moved onto the
London Eye, where some of our more intrepid players were sprung into the air
attached to bungee cords...Thanks to Pete Wright once again for organising
another great day, and to the various guest players who had to make up the
numbers (Nat & Martyn, Steve, Andrea, Kym, Gareth and Claire Thomas).
- The
following weekend we performed on our home bandstand for the final time this
year. In a stroke of bureaucratic brilliance, "a supermarket" close
to the bandstand (who usually deny all claims to ownership of the bandstand)
informed organisers of the local dog show that "no band is playing on
the bandstand that weekend". Thus it was that the first twenty minutes
of our programme had to be played sotto voce for fear of upsetting
the more delicately tempered of the pampered pooches (not talking about our
horn section here). Still, our playing of "Cruella de Ville" from
101 Dalmations didn't seem to arouse any suspicious looks...
- No
such problems the next weekend at Deal, where, as always, a large and appreciative
audience materialised on the green, and humans easily outnumbered animals
(in the audience anyway). Despite a slightly delayed start due to the music
stands arriving late (*webmaster whistles innocently and looks at ceiling*),
the concert went well and was finished in plenty of time before the fishing
boat winches started up their racket (some years it's been pretty damn close,
running the risk of people not knowing where our concert noises end and the
winch noises begin).
- The month rounded off with another
band social trip (thanks Russell); this time somewhere in the region
of 50 of us sallied forth to see the Grimethorpe Colliery Band performing
at St Mary-In-The-Castle, Hastings. Hopefully this will be the first of many
such concerts at this impressive arts centre. The accoustic seems to work
very favourably for brass bands, and the tickets were sold out some time in
advance. It was not recorded how Grimey's players reacted to the frankly humbling
news that Battle Town Band had also performed on that very stage - it must
have been quite a moment for them. Needless to say, many of our players joined
some (not that many though - wimps) of our colleagues from Sussex "Brass"
for a post-concert curry. This being traditional incident territory for us,
the consistently outstanding Alex (see previous
band curry!) succeeded in celebrating his (17th!) birthday by going into
town, falling a*se over t*t ("family website") and giving
himself a huge black eye and split lip that stopped him playing for two weeks.
Pure class.
- October
dawned all too quickly, and we once again headed off to Folkestone for the
SCABA Autumn Contest. Despite our shock 2nd place and Best Horn Section trophy
last year in our first attempt at 2nd section, hopes were not entirely running
high this time round. Philip Sparke's Music For A Festival was our
chosen test-piece, as it had been for our 5th place in the Spring Contest.
The general feeling was that we had played well, so finshing 7th was a little
disappointing (more so given that Sussex Brass claimed 6th place! ;) ). Nonetheless,
there were little in the way of critical comments from adjudicator Steve
Sykes (although this may well have cost him the chance of any future invitation
as guest soloist here!), and the band can take credit from an excellent 2nd
place in the Hymn (to go with our 2nd in the March at the Spring Contest)
- not something we usually play very well. On top of this, we didn't come
home empty-handed, as Christopher and William (back from Uni
for the occasion) turned in a fine performance to snatch the Best Percussion
Section trophy. This is made all the more impressive considering that some
other bands were playing pieces stacked full of all manner of expensive kitchen-section
machinery. A mention also here for Sussex Brass' Principal Cornet Marcus
Plant, who finally (though deservedly) managed to win the Best Instrumentalist
award. Although if I'm being nice to them, I might add by way of redressing
the balance that their whole band wimped out of the joint post-contest curry!
- A ragged
crew of seven players went up to the Albert Hall to sit through the twelve
hours of contesting and concert that is the National Championships. Most of
us spoke with the people we were hoping to meet up with, including former
guest soloists Sheona White and Glynn Williams. Name-dropping aside, it was
a good - and relatively sober! - day out (better luck next time though, Kidlington!
:( ). Albion for the Christmas concert anyone?
- The
end of the month brought our annual Autumn Concert, in collaboration with
our friends at the British Legion. Once again this went very smoothly and
successfully and was well appreciated by the audience. At least I assume so,
as I cannot remember a single thing about it (and this isn't alcohol-induced
amnesia either, I swear).
- Since
the beginning of the Summer the band saw a number of ins and outs amongst
the players (stop giggling, you know what I mean). Here's a brief overview
of the newcomers and leavers:
Cornets - Herbie left us in August for a gap-year placement
teaching English in Shandong Province, China, before heading off to Cambridge
Uni next year. This meant that Ben Ruffer became the latest protegé
to abandon Pete Wright on 3rd Cornet (he trains 'em up and off they go!),
by moving onto front row. Damian and Dave switched chairs (Rep
to Sop and vice-versa) at the beginning of July after the former needed some
dental work that wasn't compatible with the Suicide Chair! Also joining the
band was Russell Boorman (promoted from the youth band) and ickle Jessie
(a nomadic traveller from the wilds of Tonbridge, who for some reason
is willing to endure two 40 minute train journeys each time she comes down
to play. Madness!).
Horns - Claire finally left to go to University in Southampton
after n years of service, and Rachel retired (again) to the
world of Specsaving™. This meant that Jo was promoted to Principal,
and Gudrun switched over from Baritone.
Baritones - Beccy left the band following (although
not "because of", we hasten to add...) the recent contest, and Gudrun
moved to horn. Joining Olau on baritone was Claire Thomas, the fourth
Thomas family member to play for us, joining dad Paul, older sister Natalie
and (until recently) grandfather Dennis.
Euphs - After many years' sterling service on Principal, Jon
Smith left to move to Wales with his girlie. Karen Kemp moved to
Principal, and we welcome back Karen Wells on 2nd, back a year early
from her voluntary placement after being evacuated from the Pakistani/Afghan
border (She's left and rejoined twice now; obviously can't get enough, strange
girl!). Also helping out occasionally was Jon Penton, new local brass
teacher, who will be doing some work with the youth band as well.
Trombones - Rosie Wilcock joined up, helping Sheila on
top chair. A former Sussex Brass girl, Rosie was miraculously converted following
her graduation and (hopefully not temporary) return to the area, and also
turned out for us this Summer on Eb and even BBb Bass!
Basses - Chairman Ron stood down for health reasons following
the Autumn Concert. Joining on Eb was James Scott, recently graduated
from Oxford (and again hopefully back to stay!). James is particularly welcome
as his viola-playing sister is known to be completely opposed to brass bands,
and tried her hardest to prevent him from joining. Hard cheese Judith! :·Þ
Percussion - William went off to Salford Uni to study
on the brass band course.
- Also
at the end of the Summer, our esteemed Musical Director left the employment
of the County Music Service. Whilst continuing his private teaching several
days a week, Mr Mitchell can now be found swinging the Flymo round
on behalf of his brother's gardening business! Please report any sightings
(photos even better if you can get them!) of such activity to me for instant
publication... One unfortunate side-effect of this is that the future format
of Battle Youth Brass is rather up in the air at the moment, as this was a
collaboration between the band and the County Council. A case of "watch
this space" at the time, but for the moment all was unchanged in the
run up to their world premiere performance with Philip Sparke at the
end of November (see the BYB page for
details).
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