In a recent conversation, I was made aware of a rule in some british contests which stipulates that a player can only play one instrument at a contest.
I was wondering about the origin and reason for this rule, as it seems to be aimed squarely against the developing band who may not have a full compliment of players, but who wish to play in contests to develop experience and boost standard.
For example, a band may have a full compliment of brass players, but be missing a percussionist, and may wish to split one of the resting baritone players off to play a 4 bar Glock solo.
Or, a band may not have a sop player, and may require one of the Bb cornets to double for a time..
It's situations such as these which are all too common in the less-glamourous end of the banding world, and if it is illegal, then it can prevent a developing band from participating in standard-and-prestige-building contests, thus not helping them develop at all.
This situation also comes in when faced with wishing to push the band sound by using alternative balances - such as 2 flugels, or 5 trombones, or 7 percussionists.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to what was the reasoning behind this rule.
I was wondering about the origin and reason for this rule, as it seems to be aimed squarely against the developing band who may not have a full compliment of players, but who wish to play in contests to develop experience and boost standard.
For example, a band may have a full compliment of brass players, but be missing a percussionist, and may wish to split one of the resting baritone players off to play a 4 bar Glock solo.
Or, a band may not have a sop player, and may require one of the Bb cornets to double for a time..
It's situations such as these which are all too common in the less-glamourous end of the banding world, and if it is illegal, then it can prevent a developing band from participating in standard-and-prestige-building contests, thus not helping them develop at all.
This situation also comes in when faced with wishing to push the band sound by using alternative balances - such as 2 flugels, or 5 trombones, or 7 percussionists.
Anyway, I'm just curious as to what was the reasoning behind this rule.