Letter published in The Conductor magazine, Spring 2004.
May I begin by apologising for not writing in 2003 to express how much I enjoyed my first Convention. Over that weekend I learned a great deal about conducting and related issues and, above all, I found it inspiring. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the 2004 Convention.
My principal reason for attending the Convention was to learn more about conducting/band training and other matters that would enable me to become a better conductor. My secondary reason for attending is more of a social one. My second objective was certainly achieved; I met some interesting people and the venue and food was fantastic. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the final of the Young Conductor's Competition. However, I honestly do not think I learned anything about conducting or band training; instead I got brass band history overload! Please don't get me wrong, I feel that learning about the past is important and interesting, but I thought this was a Conducting Association.
Reference was made at the Convention about how to attract younger and new members. During the weekend I had many discussions with fellow conductors, (mostly after a drink or two!), and what follows are suggestions that we came up with as to how the NABBC might go about improving the attendance.
Following the Young Conductor's Competition, Prof. Dave King mentioned that the finalists did not pick up on tuning or intonation matters. It would have been very educational to see how Dave King might have dealt with tuning in a similar band. I am sure that names like his and Bob Childs, for example, would attract younger and new members to the Convention.
Trying to make the Convention more 'hands-on' and interactive would make it more interesting. What about participants taking along their own instruments and 'having a blow' at some point (I believe this did happen a few years ago), directed by a well known conductor. Equally, a conducting workshop, like last year, when we got the opportunity to conduct a band and receive tips from the top would be very worthwhile.
Dr. Roy Newsome did a great session in 2003 on score reading of some lower section pieces, which I found really useful, interesting, and relevant to me. Perhaps if some items on the agenda were aimed specifically at conductors of mid/lower section bands and their music it might attract more people. Especially as, in general, one might expect to find younger conductors taking lower section and Youth bands.
If we want to attract more members to the Convention the agenda has to be varied, stimulating and appealing. I would be very interested to know other members' views and suggestions.
Maria Fricker
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