British Open, National Finals in RAH or Brass in Concert

[stephenmrry]

Hi all

I have decided i want to attend one more band contest before the end of the year. Now the problem i have is picking just one. British Open has all top bands and having just been to the Europeans in Birmingham i know the hall is fantastic. Throw on top of that a Downie piece that looks likely to be a stunning contest.

But then what happens we get sparke for top section, King in the box and a selection of bands that you wont find at any contest in the world. Add to that the RAH and u have another fantastic contest.

Then there is BIC. I have seen the 2006 dvd and would love to see it. U have the reps from Austria and Norway as well as an impressive line up of bands and it looks likely to be the most entertaining weekend of music all year.

Now i would love to go to all three and will do in years to come but maybe if people could share there views and maybe tell me about there experiences of these contests (both good and bad) and what the weekend events include to help me decide.

[DublinBass]

If you have never been to BIC...I would opt for that.

[stephenmrry]

I might just clarify that i have been to none of these and i think my lack of experience is causing me to get confused. I might also add im studuing music at third level so from an educational point of view also what might help!!

[Baritonedeaf]

Brass In Concert I would have said - If you went to The Europeans, it might be good to see the top bands performing entertainment programmes.

[PeterBale]

Something else you may wish to consider are the various fringe activites surrounding the main events: I believe the Brass on Sunday concert this year features the National Youth Brass Band, Black Dyke and Grimethorpe.

Grimethorpe and Eikanger take the stage on the Saturday before Brass in Concert.

Full details don't seem to be around yet about the Nationals weekend, but Philip Biggs always arranges a full programme at Regent Hall on the Friday, and Enfield have Steven Mead as guest soloist this year.

[Ruthless]

Hmm.... Pete.... me thinks you have just made Stephens decision even harder

How do you choose between these great weekends - not just the event itself?

[simonbassbone]

Depend on what you want to get ftom the event, and what you like.
If you want to hear the best bands in the UK tackle a new piece then go to the Open. If you'd prefer a selection of bands giving top class concerts then BIC. If you like the tradition and culmination of the (mainland) UK contesting season go to the Nationals.

All 3 should provide a great day out.

Have fun.

[Anno Draconis]

From my (limited) experience, the best playing will probably be at the Open - I don't mean that the playing isn't superb at all three, just that the way bands are selected for the Open seems to produce the best possible line-up on a regular basis and it's seen by some as even tougher to win than the National. It seems somehow to bring that extra spine-tingling 10% out of the very best bands.

[weenie]

RAH. Great atmosphere, good bands and who can argue with the venue itself!!

[PeterBale]

RAH. Great atmosphere, good bands and who can argue with the venue itself!!

I'd say that the atmosphere can be alright, the bands are usually reasonable, but the facilities leave a lot to be desired when compared with somewhere like Symphony Hall.

[stephenmrry]

i can relate to the symphony hall i thought that was an excellent venue cause really u had everything close by hotels, food joints and it is a terrific hall. Has anyone seen the study score for the downie piece and what does it look by just looking at it. Is it another st Magnus?

[PeterBale]

There are definitely similarities with St Magnus, particularly as regards unison lines played at speed. No extremes of range called for, although first trombone and the euphoniums need to have secure top registers. Several fairly exposed solos, including the bass trombone part, who starts off one of the sections on his own, and a short duet between the BBb basses and soprano.

[Jacob Larsen]

Wish I was living in the UK... Then I would go to all the contests.. Well we have arranged a tour for the menbers of Århus Brass Band to RAH Nationals this year We are 6-8 from the band so come and say hallo . I was there in 1998 - it was fantastic... Looking forward hering "Music For Battle Creek"... Is a study score ready yet ?????

JVL

[PeterBale]

Wish I was living in the UK... Then I would go to all the contests.. Well we have arranged a tour for the menbers of Århus Brass Band to RAH Nationals this year We are 6-8 from the band so come and say hallo . I was there in 1998 - it was fantastic... Looking forward hering "Music For Battle Creek"... Is a study score ready yet ?????

JVL

It is available now:

See here:

http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/show...24&postcount=2

[persins]

Well, I normally end up going to the Nationals as it is closer to me and easy to get to.
More importantly, it is easier to get home when absolutely hammered at the end of the day!