Conducting a Rehearsal
Lynda Nicholson and the St. Helens Youth Band began Saturday morning with a session on rehearsing and organising a Youth Band.
They began by warming up with hymn tunes during which Lynda drew their attention to such areas as breathing together, embouchure, posture and intonation.
After the warm up Lynda got the band to tune up. Her approach reminded me of an orchestra, where each member will tune relative to the oboe. The band tuned up relative to the principal cornet. I felt this might initially prove a challenge for the average lower section band, but over time it would steadily improve their aural skills.
Once warmed up they began to rehearse their set piece for the Premier Section of the Youth Championships, 'Lyonesse' by Simon Dobson. It is a complex piece, containing intricate cross rhythms and time signatures not often seen at this level.
There was a lively debate about the piece and the use of modern music in the brass band world. Should brass bands be playing music with unclear tonal centres, regular dissonances and an absence of traditional Western harmony?
I like the piece and feel that we should consider each piece on its own merits, focusing on what it offers both the band and the audience. After all Edward Gregson was considered modern and fiercely debated in the 1980's, yet by 1992 Roy Newsome wrote of his music in 'Beyond the Bandstand':
"...the youngsters in these bands many of whom by now, must wonder what all the fuss over new music has been about."
Perhaps the answer that we should consider most is the bands. When asked three quarters of them agreed that they liked Lyonesse.
To rehearse the piece Lynda broke it down into its three natural sections. Both the audience and I felt that the band coped admirably with such a technical piece.
Following the rehearsal Lynda was joined by several parents, band members, and others to discus aspects of organising a youth band.
St. Helens explained that they find that developing the social aspects of the band helps to attract the 'Playstation Generation'. It was suggested that residential courses can help to strengthen the camaraderie of the band experience, as can drafting in established musicians.
In closing St. Helens described their fundraising activities. Recent events include concerts, lottery bonus balls, raffles, sponsored carol playing and one off events such as bag packing at the local supermarket. They mentioned support of organisations like Halifax who may agree to match funds raised by a band.
This was a rousing start to the day, an impressive band, interesting debate and I for one learnt something new. Those that missed it, missed out.
Maria Fricker
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