I can't remember exactly what he said so I can only paraphrase. None of the things below are direct quotes!
The controversy started when the officials asked the conductors to be on the stage when the results were being given (not usually done), so after much discussion amongst the conductors all but one decided to accept the official's request and sat down on the stage. After giving the results of the A Grade competition were announced, McElligot was invited on stage to make an address to the audience. (This is usually done and the adjudicator doesn't necessarily have to explain his decisions, last year Geoffry Brand thanked Australia for being a good host, and the bands for their efforts, and that's where he left it)
Anyway, McElligot got the microphone, leaned over to look at the line of conductors on the stage and began by saying something like "I suppose these are the so called conductors". Then he went on to say that in the UK contest banding is a bloodsport, and bands think with their 'contest heads' instead of giving only 60% with their 'concert heads'. Then he went on to tell the conductors that their job is not to interprete or shape the music (at this stage one of the conductors have just finished their game of Bull S*** bingo), the major then went on to say that conductors should just recreate what the composer intended as marked on the score. Then he began talking about the bands, by saying that Australian bands are too loud and were awful to listen to. I can't remember what he said but his message was widely interpreted as "To the bands who did well, good on you but all the bands in Australia are just not good enough."
That was basically what he said, a few of the things he said were with sarcasm. When someone's mobile phone rang he had a go at them (which the audience applauded) but he said something like "I can't believe that people here (in Australia) don't turn their mobiles off when listening to contests". So am I right in assuming that mobiles never ring during contests in the UK?
When he finished his address, most of the audience got up and left because they were feeling insulted and humiliated. The officials made a plea to get the audience to stay for the presentation of the Fireman's Helmet, and said something about thanking the officials but most of the audience just wanted to leave.
Those who felt insulted by McElligot aren't just the bands who didn't do well. Members of bands who did very well also share the view that McElligot was a tool. We understand that pommies like sledging us Aussies, but surely it was not appropriate to do it during the conclusion of our National Championships. What makes it even more insulting was that we invited him to be our adjudicator!
It wasn't a one off either. 2 days after the band events were over, McElligot were adjudicating our solo events and he was once again invited to address the audience and the players in the open euphonium section. He begin by saying that on Thursday he started by adjudicating the C Grade Brass section, and "they were... gentle". Then came the A Grade Brass section and "that was just awful" and "the conductors provided all the entertainments on that ocassion". Two days afterwards and he was still having a go at the conductors, when he was addressing euphonium players.
There was further controversey when he was addressing the audience on the adjudication of the Champion of Champions section. He told the audience that unaccompanied soloists, and soloists that didn't play a piece that was written for their instrument were ruled out no matter how good their performance was. I do not wish to make judgement on his adjudication, but for him to tell the audience was down right stupid. This now sets a precedent, and cornet players will now think twice before picking a trumpet piece to play, same with euphonium players and cornet pieces, soprano cornet players and tenor horn pieces.
If anyone wants to tell me off for having a go at Major Ian McElligot on this friendly forum, I would like to remind you that McElligot had a go at me, my band, and my country's banding movement at our own National Championships, an annual national celebration of our passion for banding.
Also, congrats to Mark! :wink:
ted
St Marys Band Club Brass Band :wink:
