New edition of BBW out now!
The July/August edition of Brass Band World magazine is now out and it's full with fantastic features, articles, reviews and interviews from around the globe…
THE BBW INTERVIEW — CARVING HER PLACE IN HISTORY
Kathleen Gaspoz made history when she became Brighouse and Rastrick’s first-ever female principal cornet – Christopher Thomas catches up with the rising cornet star from the Swiss Alps.
VIEW FROM THE BOX
Want to win at Cheltenham…? Then read about what will impress the adjudicators in the ‘box’ at the Cheltenham National Finals on 16 and 17 September - four of the eight appointed judges – Paul Holland, Tom Davoren, Glyn Williams and Stan Lippeatt – tell competitors what they will be listening for...
PRO PRACTICE
Besson Artist, trumpet/cornet extraordinaire, adjudicator and educator, Roger Webster, considers the pros and cons of positive critique versus criticism and the negative impact that the latter can have on players in this month’s Pro Practice.
BBW CASTAWAY
Newly appointed solo horn of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Helen Varley, reveals her desert island listening to Katrina Marzella.
LET'S DEBATE — ‘BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING’
Leading composer, Liz Lane, debates the glass ceiling for women in the music business and uncovers opinion that UK brass banding still lags behind the Continent when it comes to appointing female players, conductors and composers.
PRO PLATFORM
David Childs interviews Christopher Parkes - Principal horn of the Swedish Radio Symphony and John Wilson orchestras, Superbrass and Fine Arts Brass member, Guildhall School of Music and Drama tutor, and former solo tenor horn with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
TRIBUTE
Black Dyke baritone soloist, Katrina Marzella, paints a portrait of her friend - the teacher, composer and arranger, Bruce Fraser, who died in February this year, but whose music and teaching touched the lives of many. In addition, conductor of the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band, Dr. Stephen Cobb, pays tribute to James Williams MBE - the man and musician whose influence touched so many musicians inside and outside The Salvation Army.
SLIDING AROUND GLASGOW
Mark Good reports on Scotland’s four-day festival celebrating the virtues of the trombone.
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
Band has broken up for the summer, but that doesn’t mean letting your musical skills gather dust for two months! Rita Arendz, Les Neish, Ian Clowes and David Childs report from the first summer schools to happen this year in Canada, Switzerland, Holland and the USA
TIPPING POINT FOR UK
Brass Bands England recently appointed a new interim CEO – Andrew Coe. He comes with a ‘big ticket’ CV in international tennis and motor sport, but how realistic are his intentions for the UK brass band community and BBE, which reaches its 50th birthday next year - Nicola Bland finds out.
YOUNG VOICES
Mark Good meets Whitburn’s euphonium star, Scott Kerr.
WILLEBROEK RULE THE WORLD
WMC Kerkrade in Holland takes place every four years and commences with a weekend of brass band contests, including a top section battle for World rule, this time won by Belgium. Johan Jansen reports from the 18th edition, originally founded in 1949 after a high-impact concert in Kerkrade by Carlton Main Frickley.
BBW CENTRE BAND
Valaisia to fly Swiss flag with pride at British Open.
DREAM TEAM AT TULLIS RUSSELL
John Wallace CBE returns to his boyhood band as Principal Musical Director and shares with Nicola Bland his fresh vision for the organisation’s future.
BRASS EDUCATION
Nicola Bland reports on all the latest developments at the Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
NEWS
Butlin’s to rock with high-octane acts, youth and education to shine at Brass in Concert, and Euro 2018 set-work composers revealed.
PREVIEW – FRESH HORIZONS FOR SOPRANO CORNET
Nicola Bland catches up with Cory’s ace soprano, Steve Stewart ahead of the British Open release of his debut solo CD – Over the Horizon.
REVIEWS — CDS
Thomas Dunne reviews BBW’s CD of the Month, Vox, featuring Dutch euphonium star, Robbert Vos, whilst David Thornton reviews ‘some gorgeous playing’ on Joe Cook’s new release, and Chris Thomas takes in DVD and CD Highlights from the European Championships 2017 – ‘a compelling retrospective of a fascinating weekend of music-making.’
CONCERT REVIEWS
James Davis savours ‘world-class’ Foden’s on the Isle of Man, Andrew Baker enjoys Sandy Smith’s ‘innovative’ Tubular Brass show at the RNCM, Alan Jenkins is blown away by musicians from four different Continents at the Black Dyke Festival, and Brenden Wheeler witnessed history in the making as the Queensbury outfit ‘rocked out’ on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.
PRODUCTS
James Andrews gives his verdict on Seán Hooper’s Samba for Schools book, Black Dyke’s Zoe Hancock tells readers why she has switched to the new rose gold bell Bach Stradivarius Flugel Horn, and Alliance soprano mouthpieces are put through their paces by soprano star, Paul Richards.
RANKINGS
New World Champions Willebroek leapfrog Black Dyke and Eikanger to take a podium place in the Brass Stats World Rankings.
DIARY DATES
What's on around the World in August and September.
… AND ANOTHER THING
John Barber and cartoonist, Nezzy, get ready for the new contest season by brushing up on rules of engagement, set by the Co-operative Higher Authority Institute of Narcissistic Stewards Against Warmups (CHAINSAW)!
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)
Front cover image: Courtesy Ian Clowes, Goldy Solutions