We started the month with arguably the most important event of the brass banding year, Durham Miners’ Gala: a celebration of the mining heritage that unites the world of brass banding. As we marched through Durham City Centre you couldn’t help but notice the importance of this event in celebrating working class history as marches are combined with crowd-pleasing songs. With over 200,000 people attending it was a great start to the month and to the Durham Brass festival. A particular thanks to our guest players travelling from all over the UK to play with us.
Following this fantastic weekend, we set about working in the band room towards cracking Renaissance, the First Section test piece for the Butlins Mineworker Contest in January. Guest conductors including Jonathan Fenwick helped us take a fresh look at the piece as well as ensuring that we were put through our paces. Here is a 30 second read giving you an overview of our challenge:
Renaissance – Peter Graham
A sequel to Shine as the Light
Style? Mysterious to begin with before becoming increasingly technical leading up to a lyrical solo section. Then rhythm is tested with offbeats galore and at some speed. The change of tempo continues right up until the climax with a wall of sound hopefully greeted by rapturous applause.
Who is it hardest for? Varies throughout although possibly basses – offbeats…enough said?!
What makes the piece? As it is not hugely technical it will be musicality that divides the bands on the day and a big task will be for conductors to put their stamp on it.
Butlins Mineworkers Contest will take place on weekend of the 12th-15th January 2018. It promises to be an eventful and inspiring weekend even in the bracing cold weather of Skegness!
One final note – during Durham brass festival I had the pleasure of seeing The Cory band perform. As a bandsman it was great to see a band on top form and it is only a recommendation that watching this calibre of band and learning from them can only make us all better.
See you next month,
Dunston Dragons