New BBW edition out now!
February 2017 edition out now, featuring:
THE BBW INTERVIEW – FRENCH FORCE
On the eve of the French National, Christopher Thomas chats to the principal cornet of Paris Opera and Paris Brass Band, Alexis Demailly, about his life, career, new CD and getting his country’s brass bands valued!
RNCM FESTIVAL
James McLeod, Richard Robinson and Malcolm Wood bring coverage of the UK’s serious brass music festival.
PARTY TIME
Christopher Thomas and Steve Jack join the throng at Butlin’s Festival, where the ‘X-Factor’ was ramped up.
BRASS AT THE GUILD
James McLeod latched onto the wise words offered by the adjudicators on the pre-UK Regional test-piece run-outs.
LET'S DEBATE – SOCIAL MEDIA
Unibrass’s Chairman, Andrew Straiton, looks at the impact of the Internet and social media on brass banding.
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO LONDON
LA and La La Land trumpet player - Wayne Bergeron - to hit the UK in Yamaha-promoted London master class and concert.
PRO PRACTICE
Professor Roger Webster considers what motivates us and offers stimulus for making musical leaps.
PRO PLATFORM
David Childs enjoys a Q&A with the new principal trumpet of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Chris Hart.
BBW CASTAWAY
Katrina Marzella delves into eclectic desert island listening of composer, Paul McGhee, who has a bit of a cheat luxury item to assuage his solitude!
YOUNG VOICES
Mark Good meets the 2016 West of Scotland Solo Champion - Rebecca Wilson.
KNOW THE SCORES - SITTING IN JUDGEMENT
On the eve of the UK’s Regional Championships, four of the appointed judges – Sandy Smith, David Hirst, Leigh Baker and John Maines - reveal what where their top marks will go.
UNIBRASS 2017
A new Chairman, a new venue, a new competition category and more satellite youth events – the ongoing momentum of Unibrass 2017, previewed by Nicola Bland.
BRASS EDUCATION AND ‘OPPS’
Fly high with the new Royal Auxiliary Air Force Band and play to your strengths with Trinity College London's new aural and improvisation tests – Nicola Bland brings the detail.
BBW CENTRE BAND
Viennese whirls - a light and airy Hepworth Band waltzes into 2017!
REVIEWS OF THE LATEST CD RELEASES
Of Gods and Kings – the latest substantial recording released by Foden’s Band, reviewed by Nigel Clarke, who also enjoys a Q&A with the band’s conductor – Michael Fowles, plus Paul Cosh waxes lyrical about the new CD, Fantasque from Alexis Demailly, and Simon Cowen discovers the ‘highest quality brass recording’ that he’s ever listened to - Music for Brass – Paul Terracini and Sydney Brass.
NEW MUSIC REVIEWS
All You Need is Love, March – Life Songs and Just Where I am – three new titles from The Salvation Army Eastern Territory USA, surveyed by Daniel Hall, plus Dr. Rodney Newton casts his experienced eye over two new Dan Price titles published by Yewden Music – Starburst and Tydi a Roddaist (Thou Gavest).
CONCERT REVIEWS
The TfO’s inaugural brass band with blockbuster film music on its mind along with reviews of Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick with EYMS and Hendon concerts.
PRODUCTS
Carlton Sykes finds the Odyssey Premiere Eb Tuba outfit a solid entry into the market; the Mike Lovatt Smith-Watkins Trumpet success story, Nicola Bland interviews Cory’s Tom Hutchinson – also Ev-entz’s brass specialist, whilst Wessex Tubas launches new online experience.
BRASS BAND WORLD NEWS
NYBBGB at the Barbican with LSO stars, gastro delights at Allan Withington’s Conductor School and Pageantry clarified.
RANKINGS
February’s Rankings sees some high-risers, including one band that rocked up 132 places, courtesy of its Brass at the Guild contest place…
DIARY DATES
What’s on around the World in February and March, including previews of the first two all-important UK Regional Championships in Blackpool and Huddersfield.
… AND ANOTHER THING
John Barber and cartoonist, Nezzy, contemplate the first rehearsal of the year.
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Andrew Straiton
Carlton Sykes
Christopher Thomas
Daniel Hall
David Childs
David Hirst
Dave Taylor
Gordon Simpson
Ian Clowes - Goldy Solutions
James McLeod
John Barber
Katrina Marzella
Leigh Baker
Lisa Fitzgerald-Lombard
Malcolm Wood
Mark Good
Nezzy
Nicola Bland
Nigel Clarke
Paul Cosh
Peter Bale
Richard Robinson
Professor Roger Webster
Dr. Rodney Newton
Sandy Smith
Simon Cowen
Simon Peters
Steve Jack
ACCESS RIGHT NOW BY SUBSCRIBING TO BBW DIGITAL - THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE - NOW ON SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS - ONLY £30 WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD!
OR SUBCRIBE TO THE PRINTED MAGAZINE DELIVERED BY POST: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)
