LITTLE ROCK NABBA CONTEST 2003 - by Ralph P. Hotz

This year's NABBA competition in Little Rock will be remembered as one of the greatest "get together and happenings" ever. On Thursday April 10, prior to the official beginning of the annual event, Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band performed for NABBA members who were in town early and for sponsors of the event. This Entertainment/Championship band is maybe the finest band of this type in the world today. They are very much in demand all over the world and proudly exhibit their wonderful grasp of the entertainment concert.

Grimethorpe played the full gamut of music at this pre-contest concert. Included were purely entertaining pieces topped off with "Variations on an Enigma." While playing absolutely superbly, the band retained a terrific sense of humor. During the concert one of the Eb bass players, Shaun Crowther, every so often would appear coming from the back of the band, walk to the front of the stage, expecting to be the next soloist to perform, only to have conductor Gary Cutt send him back to his section. Toward the end of the Gala Concert Shaun was finally allowed to play as featured soloist. By this time everyone had gotten an opportunity to become familiar and recognize Shaun. Chants of "Shaun! Shaun!" filled the auditorium before and after he played. His playing was superb as was every soloist from the band. Gary Cutt, an extremely talented conductor, took care of all the commentary during the concert. His humor and control of this famous extroverted band, which he describes as a "wild lot," was something to behold. The band "hangs together," whether it's playing a concert together or partying together. This was exhibited as the lads of Grimethorpe were seen along with the rest of us at the local pubs into the wee hours of every morning.

On Friday afternoon, April 11, the three-ring circus, which is the solo and ensemble competition, was held on the second floor of the host hotel, the Double Tree, Little Rock. All afternoon one was able to listen to adult and youth performances in the solo and ensemble competition. I spent the afternoon as announcer of the Adult Slow Melody Competition for instruments from the tenor horn down through tuba. Ron Waiksnorris, conductor of the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, was the judge for this section. As I had performed the announcing duties for this section last year in Cincinnati, I was able to hear the improvement in our NABBA musicians just from last year to this year. There were outstanding players on all the instruments in this category, with Linda Yeo, bass trombone and Sara Albert, tenor trombone coming in first and second respectively. All of the soloists were good, with some being as good as it gets. After this portion of the competition was complete, I was able to attend one of the technical solos, where good friend, Dean Psarakis, solo cornetist with Brass Band of Central Florida, performed the "Carnival of Venice." Following his performance, I was able to hear the last group of the ensemble competition. This group was a ten-piece group from NABBA's newest Championship level band, Chicago Brass Band. This group was one of the winning ensemble groups, performing an arrangement by Christopher Mowat of the "Brandenburg Concerto #3." In the ensemble competition, a conductor is not allowed and the Chicago Players from the Chicago Brass Band exhibited outstanding ensemble playing.

On Saturday, the competition for the different sections of bands was held. I was assisting the Controller, John de Salme, at the venue for the Challenge and Championship sections. Judges for these two sections were: Brian Burdick of the Salvation Army, Jim Kurnow, renowned composer, and Ray Farr, who is one of brass bandings most prolific composers and arrangers. Ray Farr also conducts in the UK, and at one time was the conductor of the Grimethorpe Band. The set test piece in the Challenge Section was a new composition, commissioned by NABBA, composed by Kevin Norbury, "Spirit of Adventure." Although difficult, "Spirit of Adventure" was handled and interpreted very well by the Challenge Section Champion, Spires Brass Band/John Slezak. In second place was the New England Brass Band conducted by Doug Yeo, bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony. Both bands gave splendid performances.

The excitement built as the afternoon began with the first draw to play, the new band, Chicago Brass Band. I attended the first concert of this band in Chicago last November as an invited guest and I think the band has a wonderful future. Music Director Colin Holman has already put his championship stamp on this newly assembled band. Many long time members of NABBA are members of this band. Principal Cornet, Amy Nelson, solo cornet, Laura Clark and her husband, Soprano Guy Clark, are well-known around the NABBA Competition in years past. Amy Nelson seems to win either the slow melody competition or the technical competition every year. She continued this year by winning the Adult Technical Competition. Guy Clark was outstanding in his debut as the band's soprano player. Guy, in the past, has performed as either Principal or solo cornet for the Chicago Band or formally served those posts with past champion band, Illinois Brass Band.

The next band that impressed me was the eventual second place finisher, and now American Champion, Brass Band of Central Florida, Mike Garasi conductor. This band has only been in existence for four years, but already is competing at the highest level. Winners of this year's NABBA Championship were the superb Stevanger Brass Band from Norway. This band gave an absolutely "lights out" performance, and the attending audience, made up of other bands' persons and fortunate locals, were treated to a superb performance by undoubtedly one of the finest bands in the world. So, the 2003 NABBA Championship Banner will reside in Norway for the next year. It is rumored that a top Australian band is planning on attending next year's competition. Our Champion Section bands are beginning to have to step up to performance pressure from the top bands in the world.

The grand finale of this year's competition was the awards presentation to the winners of all sections and phases of the competition, and the Gala Concert by the Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band. Again Grimethorpe performed in the style of an entertainment competition, but they also included the Philip Wilby composition, "Paganinni Variations." Three new arrangements, by the band's resident composer/arranger and solo horn, Sandy Smith, also were played. Sandy has been a close friend and mentor of mine for the last 5 or 6 years and it was a treat to hear his newest arrangements, and also to hear him play the Barbra Streisand piece for solo tenor horn, "Evergreen." Different soloists were drawn from the band and performed in fine style and fashion. All the principals, solo cornet, Richard Marshal, Jonathan Beatty, first trombone, Michael Dodd, euphonium, soprano cornet, Nigel Fielding, Eb bass, Shaun Crowther and Bb bass, Dean Morley performed "stand up" solos during one or both of the concerts. One of the most entertaining pieces was a piece arranged by Sandy Smith that featured both Michael Dodd and Shaun Hudson performing a euphonium duet while dressed and acting as Laurel and Hardy. The two of them matched playing styles and every nuance.

Of course no NABBA competition can be held without its round of parties and "hangs," either held formally or informally, at the local pubs or in hotel rooms. These are organized by the different bands, and the NABBA host, Solid Brass Band of Little Rock, put on the formal reception. Many of the participants at the annual NABBA Contest see each other only once a year, and there are gatherings of old and new friends held formally and informally continuously throughout the weekend.

Leading the participation at all the different pubs, bars and hotel rooms this year was America's best, both at partying and playing, United States Champion, Brass Band of Central Florida. It was only by threat of police intervention that the last known party, hosted by Chicago Brass Band, was broken up in the not so wee hours of the Sunday morning. As usual many a hang over and much lack of sleep was the result. The Grimethorpe Band found that they have some very serious competition from our bands in North America when it comes to enjoying one's self.

Next year's NABBA Competition will be held in Charleston, West Virginia. Featured at that competition will be a 1st NABBA Gala Band, which will be comprised of the best of the best brass players America has to offer. Participation will be limited to NABBA members, and will be selected and notified at a later date. Contact Robin or me over the web at the NABBA web page, www.nabba.org, or via our email address of your interest in recommending outstanding individuals from your band.

Robin Weatherall: tenorhorn@sbcglobal.net

Ralph Hotz: tenorhornsolo@aol.com

We intend to attempt to only have one band member chosen from each band. We also will also try to enlist participation of outstanding players who do not belong to a participating and competing band. It would be wonderful to have a every band represented in this Gala band, but of course this is not practical. The band will rehearse for two days immediately prior to next year's contest.

NABBA is at a great point with our lower section bands now playing test pieces that would have, and have been, test pieces for the Championship Section in years past. Our top bands are now able to compete with the best the world has to offer. Brass Band of Central Florida scored not very far below Stevanger Brass Band of Norway.

Next year's competition in Charleston, West Virginia, will hopefully find Illinois Brass Band and Brass Band of Columbus, both past year's co-champions, competing again.

The NABBA Board faced many challenges over the past six months or so, and has come out stronger and very much ready to lead the organization to much success during the rest of this year and on into 2004. Make plans now to attend next year's contest.

Ralph P. Hotz
NABBA Board of Directors
181 Birch St.
Broomfield, CO 80020-1444
303 464-8640
 

NABBA REFLECTIONS 2003 - Douglas Yeo

By now, NEBB members are home, back to work and school, and our time in Little Rock is part of the rich history of the band. Pat and I arrived home very late last night and with some time to think about what happened over the last weekend, I wanted to share some of my thoughts with all of you.

When the band board began discussion going to NABBA in Little Rock, we knew it would be a positive experience for us. NABBA XIX in Washington DC two years ago showed us that the benefits of working hard on a concentrated repertoire and then being with many other players from other bands reaped great benefits. Knowing that the Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal Band would be the "guest" band and would give the gala cncert at NABBA XXI was an added incentive for us to go this year.

And I think we're all glad we did.

What a weekend we had! I think it's fair to say that each of us had one of the best weekends of banding we have ever had. That even goes for [solo cornet] John Appleby and he's had MANY wonderful weekends of banding in HIS life!! The performances by Grimethorpe (can anyone count exactly how many there were - it seems they were playing ALL the time!) were just wonderful. Musically satisfying, entertaining, and on such a high level of musicianship. What an inspiration. And the Stavanger Band's performance in the contest - well, I hardly know what to say. Hearing and seeing them was one of the most remarkable and thrilling musical experiences of my life - not just in brass banding, but in all of music I've ever heard. It will take some time for me to fully process what that really meant to me, it is such a strong impression.

The room with CDs, music and instruments made all of our wallets a little thinner. It was wonderful to look around and see grey NEBB shirts everywhere - talking with other players, and also heading out for meals together and other social activities. NABBA XXI was a time which brought all of us in the NEBB much closer both musically AND personally. The weekend was very well organized by Solid Brass and having everything so close together made things work very smoothly. The beautiful weather was a huge bonus as well (it made me think that we actually have hope for a spring this year in New England).

But with all of these good things, when in years to come we look back at NABBA XXI, it will be our performance in the contest which will stand out as a singular memory. As it was at NABBA XIX, we gave a performance which represented a defining moment for our band in its rich and ever growing history.

We worked hard on difficult music for many weeks. The level of concentration needed to perform "Spirit of Adventure" well was extremely high. And when it came to the time to deliver, you all delivered. Everyone was alert and ready to give their very best. And all of you did. Ensemble, pitch, dynamics, musicality - all were there consistent with who we are and the performance was one of the best I have ever heard the NEBB give. [Principal cornet] Terry Everson's solo playing on "I'd Rather Have Jesus" was simply beautiful - and there were many wet eyes in the audience AND the band after that, including mine.

Solo playing throughout the band, whether a long solo by [principal euphonium] Leif, Reslow or smaller solos by [principal horn] Izzy Tappan, [euphonium] John Procter, [E flat tuba] Bill Conant, [soprno cornet] Stan Whitlock and many others, or bits of chamber music such as the opening to "I'd Rather Have Jesus" were all there - solid and very musical. Our back row cornets and horns came through on the pyramid in "Spirit" (Thank you!) and I was very pleased with the performance of all four of our pieces.

When we walked off stage, we all knew we had given the best performance we could have at this moment in time in the band's history and development. While there was a slight sting of disappointment when the results were announced and we did not win the section, we did win second place, I think we need to keep in mind some important things which will give us some perspective.

The judges were all excellent, men of integrity and with great experience in banding. But even if judges are good, you don't always agree with the judging. It will take some time for me to listen more carefully to the judge's tapes of our performance (they all speak into a cassette recorder during the performance in addition to their written comments), and a CD of our performance will arrive in a few weeks. One judge scored ushigher than all other bands in our section, the other twogave us a more mixed score. But that is really beside the point.

What IS important is that given who we are, we gave the best we could give at that moment in time. When a judge makes a comment that this or that could have been better, that is no surprise, because we knew before we played it that it could have been better - but that we are giving the best we can. And while we are always looking to improve, we have strengths and limitations like any group. What is important to judge is how we played in reference to who we are. The judge's comments can help us, too, to identify things which we still need to work on to give our performances even greater polish. That can lead us to other things, including playing even more interesting (and in turn, more difficult) repertoire, and making everything we play - from a hymn tune to a test piece - achieve even greater musical heights which will be even more satisfying to each of us.

We are not a competitive band by nature. NABBA is a contest, but we are not a band which has weeks of extra rehearsals, and which is constantly moving personnel around to get a band together which has, as its primary goal all season long, to win a contest. We're a group of players who love to play together. We give concerts where our audiences appreciate our efforts; our recordings sell well because people want to take us home with them. We have things that other bands which compete in higher sections can only dream of - we actually have FUN when we play. All the time. And that is what makes the NEBB such a unique ensemble. That is not to say we don't take our work seriously. But there is a balance to be found between complacency and pushing forward. We will continue to move the weights on the scales to fine tune that balance based on the players we have in the band at any given time and th collective desire to do different things. I spoke with many directors at NABBA, and heard many bands play. I know that what we have in the NEBB is something which is quite unique. We didn't go to NABBA to win - we went to learn, interact, have fun, and give a performance of which we knew we could be proud. We accomplished all of those things. And our future holds even more for us - more at even a higher level in many ways.

As important as all of the achievements of the NEBB at NABBA, and the inspiring performances we heard from other bands, I want to say how grateful I am for the outpouring of collegial support we saw from among us, supporting [solo cornet players]Stephanie Watts, Dennis Caron and [Prairie Brass Band and sometime NEBB bass trombonist] Linda Yeo in their playing at the solo competitions. It was great to have some of our members in the solo contest - and I hope if we go to NABBA again we will see more (and also some ensembles). I know Stephanie and Dennis learned a lot in the preparation process, and that they could see so many grey shirts supporting them was a very special thing. Linda, too, appreciated the support of the NEBB, and when Stephanie [third place, adult high instrument techhnical solo] and Linda [first place, adult low instrument slow melody solo] were called up to receive their awards, I found myself very emotional at the outpouring of love that was being sent their way by the entire NEBB. Thank you for this.

We also said goodbye to one of our members, [first trombonist] Linda Millenbach. Linda has been with us for two years, contributing so much to the trombone section. The nature of the NEBB is that people come and go from time to time, but I know all of you join me in wishing Linda, Steve and Max the very best in their move to Philadelphia. Our band has been richer for the people who have played in it for many years, and we will certainly miss having Linda among us.

The trophy which we received Saturday night sits on a hutch in our living room for the moment (what we actually DO with the trophy is something we'll have to talk about!). The trophy says several things, each of which have important implications.

First there are the words, "NABBA XXI". For 21 years NABBA has been running a contest. That we have gone to it twice puts us solidly in part of the history of the North American brass band movement. We went with the goal of learning and enjoying and improving ourselves. We did all that and much more. NABBA is richer for having had us participate, and we are richer for having worked to get there.

Then there are the words, "Challenge Class." We're not a championship section band. We are comfortable being ourselves. Always working to improve, but not having airs that we are something we are not. We are happy working with the players we have - we are not (like so many bands) cutthroat by nature, walking over the feelings of hard working players who get pushed away because their playing is not as good as someone who might want to join the group. No, we work with who we have in the group, patiently prodding ourselves and each other to improve little by littlewhile bringing in good, new people when we have a vacancy.

The trophy then has the date, "April 12, 2003." Dates are part of history. We can look back at many dates which are defining moments for the NEBB is its already growing history. April 12, 2003 will be remembered as a day where we saw a culmination of a lot of hard work on our part and we also raised the boat we know as the NEBB as we set new standards for ourselves. On that date, we were also inspired by wonderful performances by other bands, and those memories are now part of us, inspiring, awing, and helping us in ways we really haven't been able to fully understand.

Next is the location of the contest, "Little Rock, AR." Those words have incredible meaning for us. Look what it took for us to get there! Huge sacrifices were involved. Many of the band members had to take time off from work. We all had to pay for our transportation. The band treasury, which has funds which are there as a result of the concerts we give and the recordings we sell, paid out a great deal for lodging and other expenses. Izzy spent countless hours on organization, fixing hotel snafus and much, much more. [Second trombonist] Ken Griffin and [pecussionist] Rick Castillo spent 4 days in the van driving thousands of miles to get our large instruments and equipment safely back and forth from Arkansas. The NEBB went further west and south than it has ever been in its history. Little Rock may not have been a jumping, happening place, but it will always be remembered by me as a symbol of incredibly hard work and sacrifice by many individuals. And best of all, this was all done with "a merry heart," cheerfully sacrificing as individuals so the NEBB as a whole could participate in this memorable weekend.

Finally, the trophy says, "SECOND." Everybody likes to win. But you don't always get what you want. There may come a day when the NEBB goes to a contest and comes home with a first place banner. If that happens, it won't be because we made bringing home the banner most important, but because the work we do has led us there. We have untapped potential in the NEBB. I think this weekend has shown all of us that our accomplishments are significant, but we can also rise to a still higher level of playing with the personnel we have. We know the good things we did but we each (including me) know the things which we can improve. "Continuous improvement" is a wonderful concept which, when caught by all 31 people in the band, will lead us to even more new and exciting performances and opportunities.

The NEBB is still a young group. It has been around since 1988 - not very long in the history of musical organizations. My tenure with the band has been only five years long. Look where we have come in that time! And dream with me about where we could go in future years. Little by little we push ahead. New repertoire looms in our future. Discussions with the board and the whole band about the kind of music we want to play, what kind of concerts we want to give, what music to record, what trips to take, and much more, lie ahead. Be thinking about all of this, because your thoughts on this will determine where the NEBB goes from here.

Whether or not we return to NABBA in 2004 (or any year) is a question for another day. I think the concensus thusfar is that the experience in Little Rock was so positive that we would like to return to NABBA. But we will have time to make that decision. What we have before us today is some time to reflect on what we did this past weekend, in the weeks leading up to Little Rock, and in the years past. At our next rehearsal on April 28, we will begin working on William Gordon's, "Fortress." Another challenge! But I think we're all up to it.

Thank you all for your work and support, for your selfless giving of the band, and for your positive spirit. All of that has brought us to where we are today. Onward, and upward, and know that there are more exciting times ahead for each of us thanks to your hard work, devotion and sacrifice. I am very grateful to be the conductor of such a group of people.

-Doug Yeo