News

Welcome!
Welcome to the GBBA's website. Please look around and find out more about how the GBBA is working to promote brass bands in the local area. Some members of the Executive Committee can also represent your band on the national committee's as well, so please take the time to support our work. If you have any ideas of how the GBBA could continue promoting brass music then we will be pleased to hear your suggestions and may be able to put them in place. Enjoy our website...!

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GBBA Entertainment Contest 2009
The GBBA Annual Entertainment Contest will be held on Sunday 8th February 2009 at the RFDC, Berry Hill in the Forest of Dean. The entry for can be downloaded from the Entertainment Contest page where you will also find further details about the event. We are very pleased to welcome Richard Evans as Adjudicator for the day. The closing date for entries is 19th December 2008 or sooner if the maximum number of bands permitted for the Contest is received so get your entry in now to avoid disappointment!

GBBA is looking for feedback
The Executive Committee is committed to providing the best opportunities and support for brass bands in the county that we can. In order to continue doing this we are asking members to let us know what they think we are doing well and what could be improved or added in the future. The questionnaire has been sent to all member bands for consideration. If you have not been asked for your thoughts then speak to your committee or print off another copy from here (Questionnaire 2008). We hope that you can provide us with some constructive comments to keep brass bands thriving in the county.

Local young Trombone player makes the Finals!
Following the preliminary rounds, Rhiannon Symonds has been selected to go forward to the Regional Final of the 'Texaco Young Musician of Wales 2009' competition. Rhiannon saw off competition from over a hundred entrants all up to the age of 20 and at just 11 she is the youngest person in the competition. To impress the judges Rhiannon played the 1st movement of the Grongahl Trombone Concerto and Jan Sandstrom's Sang For Lotta. For the next round she will add Peter Kneale's Blue John to her programme. The final will be held on Sunday 16th November 2008 at the RWCMD.

Results of the Annual Own Choice Contest
A great day was had by all who attended the GBBA Annual Own Choice Contest on Sunday 19th October 2008. The adjudicator for the day was Derek Broadbent and these were his results:

Section D - Youth/Training and Un-registered bands

Gold Award	Lydbrook Training (R. Morgan MBE)
Gold Award	Usk Youth (J. Jones)
Silver Award	Cinderford Academy (C. Lewis)
Bronze Award	City of Bristol Training (S. Ellis)

The special award to the best instrumentalist in this section went to the Euphonium player from Usk Youth.
The youngest player of the day was Rebecca Jessop at 7 years old and a member of Cinderford Academy.
The Band of the day with the most players under the age of 14 years of age went to City of Bristol Training who had 13 members in this category.

The special award to the best instrumentalist in this section went to the Euphonium player from Bream Silver.
The John Jones Memorial Trophy for the best Trombone section also went to Bream Silver.

The special award to the best instrumentalist in this section went to the Soprano player from Pillowell Silver.

The special award to the best instrumentalist in this section went to the Solo Cornet player from Cinderford Band.
Cinderford also took home trophies for the Best Bass Section of the day and the Cornet player of the day.
Lydbrook were awarded additional trophies for the Best Horn Section of the Day, the Best Percussion Section of the Day, the Best Flugel Horn player of the day, the best Euphonium player of the day and the Best Instrumentalist of the Day.

Annual Own Choice Contest
The GBBA Annual Own Choice Contest will be held on Sunday 19th October 2008 at The Forest Theatre, Royal Forest of Dean College, Coleford, Glos. The esteemed adjudicator for the day will be Derek Broadbent and we are pleased to welcome back David Hayward as the Compere. Bands will be competing in four sections, starting at 1pm. The details are as follows:

Refreshments will be available in the cafeteria and the bar will be open in the Bistro from 2pm until 6.30pm.
Admission will be £5 Adults, £4 Concessions, Children under 7 years free of charge (when accompanied by an adult).

National Children's Band of Great Britain - what the players had to say...!
Ben Stratford: Well… what can I really say about the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain? Apart from how fantastic it is! It’s a unique opportunity for young, talented musicians to have fun with some of G.B’s greatest brass players. This year I had Katrina Marzella as a tutor for the Baritones and Euphonium. I was very pleased with my self for obtaining Principal Baritone position. The audition part of it was what I thought to be the most nerve-racking experience, the only anxious part of the course. But then I was rewarded greatly to have the seat. The hospitality they offered us was really welcoming, I had my own room. The food was filling and delicious, they made sure you ate every meal and you had a lot of choice. The rehearsals where intense! If you had played it wrong Dr. Childs made sure you played it right. That and the sectionals where fun, but tough. At the recreational times you had a lot of choice of what you did: Swimming, Tennis, Football and Rounders. When it was raining on the first day we had a Beatle Drive, which is a written game where you roll a dice. Once all the pieces were at concert standard it was the day of the concert! The travelling to the Artrix centre took only 20 minutes and when we were there we had to get ourselves geared up ready for the last rehearsal. The rehearsal went amazingly well. Then we all had ‘Down-Time’ and a bottle of water. Then concert time was here! The concert was a massive success Joseph Cook was outstanding! Sadly Percussion obtained ‘Section of the Week’, but that was the only down moment of the week!

Young talent in the County
Five of Gloucestershire's finest young players are currently enjoying a week of playing under the direction of Nicholas Childs at the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain. The five players are William Norman (Cornet, Tewkesbury Town), Emily Harding (Cornet, Drybrook), Elly King (Flugel, Avonbank (Evesham)), Ben Stratford (Baritone, Parkend & Forest of Dean Brass) and Rhiannon Symonds (Trombone, Lydbrook). The week concludes with a public concert on Saturday 2nd August at The Artrix in Bromsgrove at 2.30pm. Congratulations go to all five talented players. It is hoped that they will write a review of the week to be published shortly.

Annual Own Choice Contest: Download Your Entry Form Now!
The GBBA Annual Own Choice Contest will be held on Sunday 19th October at the Royal Forest of Dean College [RFDC], Coleford. The adjudicator for the day will be Derek Broadbent. The Contest is open to all brass bands, including un-registered bands. Each band is required to play an own choice test piece and march. More details and an entry form can be downloaded by below. The closing date for applications is Friday 29th August 2008.
Download Entry Form

Internationally acclaimed Welsh Male Choir to perform at The Whitminster Inn, A38, On: Saturday 6th September 2008
The Port Talbot Cymic Male Choir will be performing at the Whitminster Inn for one night only. The Cymric as they are affectionately known is one of the oldest choirs in Wales having been established in 1911. They have an enviable reputation for the quality of their passionate and fun performances. The choir has had the privilege of appearing at The Royal Albert Hall in London in the presence of the Queen and HRH Prince Phillip. The Queen expressed her delight and subsequently invited the Choristers to perform at Balmoral Castle. The interest in choirs have growing considerably over the years, no longer just confined to churches, Choirs can be seen gracing our TV screens on reality TV shows to major sporting events. With over 25,000 registered choirs throughout the country and at least half a million members singing in choirs, it is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. The Port Talbot Cymic Male Choir has a broad repertoire, and the evening will consist of two sets, one formal covering timeless classics such as Ave Marisa, Danny Boy and Nessun Dorma, hymns and music from the musicals. Set two an informal set where choristers gather around the piano and invite audience participation for a sing-a-long of cockney favorites such as Pack Up Your Troubles, We’ll Meet Again and Roll Out The Barrell. Speaking of their forthcoming appearance, John McColdrick owner of The Whitminster said “We are delighted to welcome to Gloucester the Port Talbot Cymic Male Choir, forget watching Last Choir Standing, these guys are one of the best in the country, and will not disappoint. A feast for all music lovers!”

The concert will be supported by Cheltenham Silver Band

On Monday 9th July 2008 twenty-five young brass, woodwind and percussion players aged 8 to 13, from the Forest of Dean and the surrounding areas set out from Coleford to Birmingham to participate in the world's largest youth music festival, the National Festival of Music Youth, held at the prestigious Symphony Hall. There was lots of excitement and anticipation on the journey which intensified upon arrival at the awe-inspiring venue. It is simply MASSIVE! All the participants were given purple wrist-bands allowing them access to the hall so we decided to go in and just "have a look" at how large it really is before we went on stage. Thankfully, seeing the size of Symphony Hall didn't scare the players off and we took to the stage at around 5.15pm.

The Infants and Juniors day (which is what we took part in) is very diverse and has groups ranging from samba bands, percussion ensembles, gamelan, massed choirs, jazz bands right through to traditional orchestras and wind bands. Our performance followed a gamelan group, a "stomp- style" percussion ensemble and choir! The FODAJWB played their hearts out and were committed right from the off. We were probably the smallest group at the festival but we certainly didn't sound it as the dramatic opening to "West Side Story" showed. Everyone played their absolute best and came off stage very happy, if exhausted! Although we were not rewarded with an "Outstanding Performance" or "Highly Commended" award, performing on such a magnificent stage and being invited to the National Festival in our first year was reward enough for these talented and dedicated young musicians.

Following on from the excellent Forest of Dean Area Junior Wind Band performance earlier in the week, Thursday 10th July saw thirty-two of the Forest of Dean's best young brass and percussion players, plus their avid supporters, board a coach to Symphony Hall, Birmingham to participate in the National Brass Band Festival of Music for Youth. FODAYBB were 1 of only 9 bands invited to perform in the music centre's category at the festival and were in very good company with the top four youth bands in the country also in their category. The band played three pieces for their 12 minute set, Legend by Francis Clifford, Kid Shifter by Simon Wyld (soloist Rhiannon Symonds) and African Funk by Alan Fernie. It was an amazing experience and one not to be forgotten!

"The bus was absolutely packed on the way up to Symphony Hall and the noise was just incredible. Everyone was so excited," principal trombonist Rhiannon Symonds explains. "When we got there, we all went inside the hall to have a look at it before we played. We looked up and could see at least 5 tiers but when we got on stage we could see at least 2 more on top! We were the smallest band participating and from back-stage the band on before us, Youth Brass 2000, sounded huge, so we knew we had to play well and not be scared, although my heart felt like it was going to explode it was beating so fast! When we started the first piece, Legend, and realised our sound was huge too in Symphony Hall we started to relax. Matthew, our Principal Cornet player, had lots of solo work in the first piece and was great. That gave us all confidence and Ella, our Flugel player, played the opening of the second movement of Legend beautifully and everyone followed her lead. I had been very nervous about my solo because the composer of the piece, Simon Wyld, was conducting one of the other bands in our category and I was worried what he might think about the way I played it. Lots of his band members were sitting right in the front rows too which didn't help! Thankfully, when the band started the introduction, which they played really well, those nerves just seemed to disappear and I had a great time - thanks guys! African Funk, our final piece, was just the icing on the cake. Jamie, our kit player, and the other percussionists were brilliant and set a great tempo. We all remembered our choreography and the feeling when we got towards the end and were all standing up facing the audience playing was something I'll never ever forget!"

"Performing at Symphony Hall is special but performing at Symphony Hall with your friends is just priceless!"

The 3rd Forest of Dean Annual Solo, Duet and Quartet contest took place on Sunday 6th July 2008, at Lakers School, Coleford, attracting over 170 entries from as far afield as Aberystwyth and Hampshire. The adjudicators were Mr Brett Baker and Mr Alan R Bourne. The official accompanist was Mr John Metcalfe.

The adjudicators commented on an extremely high standard of solo playing across the sections when announcing the results and shared many useful and insightful comments with the competitors to assist them on their musical journey. Special thanks must go to the to the small but very dedicated team of helpers who gave their time so willingly to make the contest such a resounding success!

The results of the 2008 contest can be found by clicking here!

BLAST OFF! Event - another success!
On Saturday 17th May 2008, over 70 young players came together to enjoy an afternoon of making music in a brass band as the Gloucestershire Training and Junior Bands met from 1pm until 6pm. This was the first time that the Junior Band had ever met and it was a huge success. Conducted by Helen Walters, the Band was open to players up to approximately Grade 2 standard. They rehearsed several pieces including Marching Marines (arr Gary Young), Dance of the Polar Bear (Helen Walters), Shaker Song (arr Gary Young) and Rainbow Rock (Helen Walters). The Training Band also met at the same time with their conductor Justin Lewis. This Band is open to players from Grade 3 to 5 standard and is the link to the Youth Band (Grade 6+). The Band enjoyed an afternoon of intense rehearsals playing pieces such as Mission Impossible (arr Terry Kenny), Handbags & Gladrags (arr Alan Fernie) and Jamaica (Timothy Travis). The course culminated in a fantastic concert by both bands of the pieces that they had been rehearsing during the afternoon which was a real highlight for many of the young players who took part.

Forest of Dean Annual Solo & Ensemble Competition

A note from the organiser:

I am pleased to announce that the adjudicators for the 3rd Annual Forest of Dean Solo, Duet, Quartet and Ensemble Championship to be held at Lakers School, Berry Hill, Nr Coleford, Glos on Sunday 6th July 2008 are Mr. Brett Baker (Principal Trombone, Black Dyke Band) and Mr. Alan R Bourne (RAF St Athan).

Following a number of enquiries regarding the ensemble class I can confirm that the maximum number of competitors in any one ensemble is 18 including percussion. A 5 piece drum kit with cymbals will also be provided but you will need to provide your own music stands and any other equipment you may need. With regard to the quartet classes I can also confirm that individuals may perform with a maximum of two different quartets but it doesn't matter if they play twice in the one class or in two different classes. The same also goes for duets. If you need to use the official accompanist please add £2.50 per person per class and enclose your piano parts with tempos and any cuts clearly marked with your entry.
Finally, can I please draw everyone's attention to the venue details - the competition will be held at LAKERS SCHOOL not Coleford Community Centre as originally advertised.
I look forward to receiving your entries and hope you have a successful and rewarding day.

Kristyann Symonds, Contest Organiser

Blast Off! Event to be held this weekend!
As advertised, the Gloucestershire Youth Training and Junior Bands will be meeting for an afternoon of musical fun on Saturday 17th May 2008. Places are still available if you contact Helen Walters at gbbaonline@googlemail.com asap. The event provides the opportunity for all young people to enjoy playing in a youth brass band for an afternoon.

NATIONAL FESTIVAL INVITE FOR GLOUCESTERSHIRE MUSIC GROUPS

Members of the Forest of Dean Area Bands are celebrating this week after learning that two of the three ensembles that represented Gloucestershire Music for the first time ever at the Regional Festival in Cwmbran have been invited to perform at the

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH 2008

at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in July!

Up first, will be the Forest of Dean Area Junior Wind Band who will participate in the Infants and Junior's day on Monday 7th July. The members of this dynamic young band, who are all under 14, played Chris North's Medieval Suite to a very high standard at the Regional Festival and are looking forward to performing it again (even better!) on Symphony Hall's magnificent stage.

Also representing Gloucestershire Music [GM] will be the Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band, directed by Kristyann Symonds. The band is delighted to have been selected as 1 of only 9 brass bands in the whole of the UK to participate in the music centre category at the Brass Band Festival which will take place on Thursday 10th July. FODAYBB was created in September 2007 to help pave the way for the Forest of Dean Area Wind Band's brass section and other young brass players in the area into the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band, the Gloucestershire Youth Training Brass Band and local brass bands. The band's stunning debut at the regional festival certainly caught the adjudicator's eyes and ears and even had them clapping their hands along with the rest of the audience to Alan Fernie's African Funk!

GM's third ensemble at this year's regional event, the experienced Forest of Dean Area Wind Band, also played extremely well and were desperately unlucky to have missed out this time round as the standard of Wind Bands at the Regional Festival was so extra-ordinarily high. Maybe next year........

GBBA AGM
Don't forget that the GBBA AGM will be held on Sunday 27th April in Drybrook Bandroom at 10:30am. Anyone who is interested in Brass Bands in Gloucestershire should come along and offer your thoughts. All are welcome - make sure your band is represented!

FODAYBB Festival Successes
Members of the recently formed Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band are celebrating after an rewarding day of solo and ensemble performances at the highly regarded Herefordshire Festival for Music, Dance, Speech & Drama. The youngsters, aged 10 - 18, competed in a variety of classes such as Slow Melody, Air and Variations, Jazz and Ensemble and returned home to the Forest of Dean with a staggering 11 Gold, 8 Silver and 4 Bronze medals and the coveted Victoria College Rose Bowl which was awarded to the band's ensemble "Seofon Brass".

The adjudicator, Mr James Stretton, remarked how he was "blown away" with the quality of playing by Seofon Brass - particularly the multi-instrumentalists who he had seen performing earlier in the day on different instruments. The members of this talented group are Matthew Hurst, Ella Warsop, Sam Davis, Sam Pierce, Francis Ruck, Rhiannon Symonds, Lori Warsop and percussionist Jamie Frost.

Mr Stretton was also most impressed at the quality of the solo playing on show throughout the day - none more so than the band's principal trombonist 10 year old Rhiannon Symonds who he awarded a "nominal" 95 marks out of 100 for her beautiful controlled rendition of Jan Sandstrom's Sang Till Lotta. The members of the Forest of Dean Area Youth Brass Band would like to thank Mr Stretton for his informative and helpful comments regarding stage presence, controlling nerves, improving intonation, making the voices in your head go away whilst performing (Matt!!) and such like, and the organisers of the Festival for a well run event.

You can hear the band and some of their soloist's in concert this Saturday (26th April) along with the Forest of Dean Area Wind Band, Forest of Dean Area Jazz Band and the Gloucestershire Youth Wind Orchestra at Dene Magna School, Mitcheldean, Glos from 7.00pm. (Pay on the door)

If you fancy playing in a solo competition yourself then don't forget that the Forest of Dean Annual Solo Contest will take place on Sunday 6th July 2008 at Lakers School, Berry Hill. Run by Kristyann Symonds, the event offers a number of different classes for the young, and not so young (!), to enjoy the opportunity to perform as soloists or in small groups. A full list of classes / details can be downloaded here and click here for an entry form.

Blast Off! Youth Event
The GBBA is pleased to continue its association with Gloucestershire Music and announce the next Youth Event for all school age brass and percussion players from Grades 1 to 6. The Gloucestershire Youth Training Brass Band will be meeting on Saturday 17th May 2008 at Chosen Hill School for an afternoon workshop with their conductor Justin Lewis. Also meeting for the first time on this afternoon will be the Gloucestershire Youth Junior Brass Band. This Band is open to players from Grades 1 to 3 and the Training Band for Grades 3 to 6. Player who are Grade 6 and above can then audition to be a part of the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band. Bands and students should be receiving more details of the course shortly and further details can be obtained by emailing gbbaonline@googlemail.com .

GBBA Encourages Bands to Complete National Survey
Please read the article below which was published in the British Bandsman and ensure someone in your band responds to it:

DCMS to support voluntary arts
In a positive move for voluntary arts groups such as brass bands, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched its first ever National Survey, which could help such groups receive more support and help to encourage more people to be involved. The survey is of amateur arts groups across England, and groups of voluntary and amateur participants from all artistic walks of life are being encouraged to participate by going to www.artsurvey.org.uk and completing a short online questionnaire before 29th February 2008. Commenting on the survey, Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge, said "The arts are a really important part of so many people's lives. Taking part in local voluntary arts groups is rewarding, fascinating and fun. This survey is the first step to connect with those involved. Over 70 percent of people in England take part in artistic activities in all their many and varied forms but, for too long, local arts groups have not been fully recognised as an important part of our thriving arts scene. This survey will try to map voluntary and amateur arts groups and look at how they are supported and how more people could be encouraged to get involved." The results of the survey will be published in the summer. To take part, log on to www.artsurvey.org.uk .

The survey asks some detailed questions such as audience figures, how many engagements your band completes each year and questions regarding band finances etc. so it will be helpful if you have these to hand before you start.

It is essential that bands complete this survey if we want to ensure that we are recognised at national level and to encourage more support and funding to be directed towards our activities.

Youth / Training Bands
Does your band have a youth or training band? Don't forget to advertise this opportunity to players, potential players and parents on our dedicated Youth Bands page.

Forest of Dean Annual Solo Contest
The Forest of Dean Annual Solo Contest will take place on Sunday 6th July 2008 at Lakers School, Berry Hill. Run by Kristyann Symonds, the event offers a number of different classes for the young, and not so young (!), to enjoy the opportunity to perform as soloists or in small groups. A full list of classes / details can be downloaded here and click here for an entry form.

Entertainment Contest
On Sunday 3rd February 15 bands competed at the GBBA Entertainment Contest. It was an enjoyable day of music and fun as crowds packed the auditorium to listen to the bands entertaining programmes. A full set of results can be found on the Entertainment Contest page.

Happy New Year to you all! We hope it is another enjoyable year of brass playing!

Open rehearsal with Dr Robert Childs, RWCMD Brass Band and GYBB
On Friday 15th February there will be an open event involving the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band, the Royal Welsh College of Music Brass Band, their conductor Dr Robert Childs and John Packer Musical Instruments. Dr Robert Childs and the RWCMD Brass Band will be visiting Gloucestershire to work with the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band and an open rehearsal will be held from 2pm - 4pm for anyone who wishes to attend to watch the bands and Dr Rober Childs in action. John Packer Musical Instruments will also be present with a trade stand of their new line of instruments and to present a talk on 'what makes a good brass instrument'. The event will be held at Tewkesbury School. The GYBB will then be playing a joint concert with the Polysteel Band on the following evening at the Bacon Theatre.

Entertainment Contest 2008
16 bands have entered the GBBA annual Entertainment Contest to be held on 3rd February 2008 at the RFDC, Berry Hill. Seven bands have entered Section 2 for un-registered, training and youth bands and nine have entered Section 1 for nationally graded bands. A full list of competing bands can be found on the Entertainment Contest page.

GYBB CD release
The Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band has released its first ever CD. Titled "Mission Accomplished" the cd includes many of the youth bands favourite pieces from their repertoire such as African Funk, Patterns, Slaidburn and A Little Prayer. The CD will be available at all GBBA events or directly from Gloucestershire Music priced at £8.

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