Discussion Area

19/04/2008 GYBB Evolves
Following the Gloucestershire Youth Band playing at the National Youth Finals at the RNCM Manchester last week I would like to say a big thank you to Steve Legge and all the organisers both here at home, on the residential and at the contest itself. The band itself was a credit to themselves and the county both in playing (getting a Silver Award this year) and their behaviour, having the four days together paid dividends.

We certainly saw a lot of teamwork within the group both on and off the stage. Their internal prize giving was entertaining and showed how they had gelled over their time together.

Hopefully, the players will see what they have achieved and keep up the improvement for the coming years. Any new players to the band need not have any worries about fitting in, as the group has as expected started to evolve into a stable and cohesive unit. The senior members now have a FaceBook area and plan to arrange social events to keep everyone in touch with each other.

With the Youth Training Band (operated by the GBBA) now having its second meeting on Saturday 17 May 08 and a Beginners Group starting on the same day we now have the complete range of brass players accommodated. These groups should ensure an upwards flow of talent and that the opportunity to play at a higher level is available to all.
Mark Windsor

06/02/08 Thanks!
Thanks to the GBBA committee and helpers for arranging an excellent and well run contest last Sunday.
Will be better next time if the Forest of Dean College lighting and sound engineers arrive in time to ensure there is lighting and sound before the first band plays (other than during the opening performance). But I know that that was nothing to do with the GBBA organisation and that I'm sure the venue won't allow that to happen again.
Fantastic to see so many youth bands attending, especially with all the entertainment they put into their programmes.
Well done and looking forward to the test piece contest later this year, and hopefully with more entrants to all the sections.
Thanks
Neil Crowe, Soprano Cornet - Bream Band

08/02/07 Youth Success!
"My sincere thanks to all members of the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band who performed superbly at the GBBA Entertainment contest. We now have a very strong band with over 50 members who will represent the county at this years National Youth Brass Band Festival in April.
Finally, my congratulations to four members of the Training and Youth Band who now represent our county in the National Youth Childrens Brass Band; William Norman, Rhiannon Symonds, Ellie King and Emily Harding. Well done!"
Steven Legge

12/10/06 Gloucestershire Youth Band Weekend
Just a quick line to say what a wonderful weekend was had by almost 100 students at the GYBB and GYTBB weekend. It was a great to listen to both bands rehearse over the two days and then play at the Sunday evening concert. Simone Rebello was an inspiration to all that heard her play and thanks go to Yamaha Musical Instruments for allowing her to take part.
Once again the weekend was superbly organised and managed and thanks should go to all the members of the GBBA Executive Committee and peripatic teachers who gave up their weekend to assist with the teaching.
David Harding

10/10/06 Unregistered Section Rules - Comment 3

I would just like to re-iterate Stuart Jones comments- I have been playing with Parkend Silver Band for the past 35 years, over the years we had a band capable of contesting but as with all brass bands people leave to either move to other bands or completely give up banding, so for the past several years I have had the opportunity of contesting with Bream, Cinderford & Forest of Dean Brass, this is something that I feel honoured to have been able to do but all along I have still remained a committed member of Parkend Band, we would like to attend this years GBBA contest but as Stuart has pointed out due to the ruling for un-registered bands we are having the problem as myself and 2 other members are Registered with Forest of Dean Brass, although I accept that rules must be put in place I do feel that it is being taken a little too far, I myself play principal solo cornet and the other 2 members play tutti solo cornet and solo baritone in Parkend Band but in F.O.D.B I play 2nd Cornet with the other 2 members playing 3rd Cornet and 2nd Baritone, as the positions played in both bands are different I don't see why there should be a problem with us contesting with our own Band (Parkend Silver Band). If however we were playing prime positions in F.O.D.B (e.g the same positions as in Parkend Silver Band) like one band I could mention then I agree that that would be totally unfair, I know a band that plays 3 people in the unregistered band in the same prime positions as they do in higher Section bands this is where all the unfairness of being in the unregistered section comes in and I feel that the GBBA should take a hard long look at the rules and sort them once and for all.

Carole Newman
Parkend Silver Band

10/10/06 Unregistered Section Rules - Comment 2

Further to the comments from Stuart Jones of Berry Hill Band, I feel much the same way. The reason for starting an unregistered section 2 years ago was to give bands the opportunity to attend the contest with borrowed players, who without those borrowed players could not otherwise attend. Berry Hill Band is a typical example of the bands that the GBBA were trying to attract and to assist them in their re-building process.

The new rule means that we will not be able to attend with Lydbrook Training Band either. We have a number of young and older players who are members of the Training Band and attend week in, week out, but are registered with other bands. Without them it is not possible for us to attend. We therefore deny the 15 or so young people under the age of 16 the opportunity of playing at this contest. It seems crazy to me that we have an unregistered section and then put a rule in that says players can only be borrowed from a 4^th Section band. I also agree that the rule has been stretched to the limit in the past (not abused so much), but so what? If bands are to survive this tricky period in our long history we have to do everything in our power to help. It’s not the winning that’s important at our Association contest it’s the taking part. Of course there is a sense of pride - no-one likes to get beaten by their close neighbour, but it’s usually forgotten over a pint or two.

I will urge my hard working colleagues at the GBBA Executive meeting on Sunday, 22^nd October to reconsider this rule, but as the closing date for the contest is 20^th October, there seems little or no room for manoeuvre. I would ask member bands who feel the same way to make sure that Association Secretary, Bill Poulton is aware of your concerns before the meeting.

Robert Morgan
Lydbrook Training Band

08/10/06 Unregistered Section Rules - Comment 1
I am a member of berry hill band and I feel let down by the rules for the non contesting section in you're November contest. Due to our inactivity in recent years some of our members have been helping other higher section bands out in contests, but they remain playing members of our band [about 30 years service each], this rules them out of the contest, this I also know this is the case in other member bands. The idea of having a contest for non contesting bands is a good one but why make rules that excludes them. I do know that the rules have been abused in the past but should bands like ours suffer because of this? What's worse; we borrow players that let us attend the contest, or we cannot compete, possibly ever again?
Stuart Jones
Berry Hill

03/10/06 Date for Annual Contest

I just thought I would like to see if any other bands find the timing of the GBBA Annual Contest, held on the last weekend in November, difficult for them to take part.

As far as my own band is concerned, if we attended, it would leave us only two rehearsals before an important Christmas Concert for Charity on Wednesday 6th December, in the Abbey, followed by two nights, usual sell out concerts in the Roses Theatre, on the 9th and 10th December.

At one time the National Finals were always held in October but now they are not is it possible to consider an October date for 2007 for the GBBA Annual Contest?

The new website gives this chance for all bands and individuals to debate this issue and therefore provide the Committee with some extra information when planning 2007. Of course the November date may be perfect for the majority and I understand and respect that.

Nigel Morgan

Tewkesbury Town Band

14/07/06 "What A Great Day"

Can I take this moment to congratulate everyone involved in putting on the 1st(I hope of many) Annual Forest of Dean Solo, Duet, Quartet and Ensemble contest on the 9^th of July

I think the event was well run and a good time was had by all. The adjudicators did a fine job and the official Pianists deserve a medal for all the running around they had to do to and from the relevant hall.

I would like to especially thank Kristyann Symonds for the hard work she put in to get the event off the ground and also all the backroom staff from Bream Silver Band who helped with the administration and supplying refreshments throughout the day. To see all those youngsters there playing their hearts out bodes a great future to the banding movement in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas. Well Done Everyone.

Martin Musto

10/03/06 Youth Day Success

Hi All
Can I on behalf of my daughter thank everyone involved in running the open day with Nigel Weeks. She thoroughly enjoyed it. The day was well structured and the kids played brilliantly in the evening concert. The only draw back was, that they didn't play more or that the older band could have played as well, food for thought for the next time. Well Done.
Martin Musto

21/02/2006 Revitalise Our Association
Morning all, Just a few comments to get the new discussion page going. First of all, many thanks to Helen and Hadrian for their work in setting up the site. This is a typical example of how young people can help our association. We could really do with some more young blood on our executive committee, so why not come along to the AGM on the 4^th March at Pates School in Cheltenham [see the news page for further details].

Rather then negative comments on other web sites come along and help out. After all it’s your association and your band movement and without the positive input of young people like Helen and Hadrian the future will be bleak.

I look forward to reading and hearing some positive suggestions of how we can revitalise our association.

Robert Morgan.
Secretary Lydbrook Band.