Arguably, the success of convention weekends is totally evaluated by the 'feel good factor' with which one returns home. To enhance this, it is essential that the final session is memorable and stimulating. On this occasion the Association selected a 'winner' in the stimulation stakes! The title of the session was "The Music of Local Composers" (in the Harrogate area) with Dr Wilby and the Harrogate Band conducted by David Lancaster.

It is always interesting to hear composers talking about their music. A prominent 'local' composer is Dr Philip Wilby, so it was natural that he should begin the session. He started by referring to his suite The Seasons and the problems that emerged while composing it. Firstly, he quickly dispelled the idea that the work illustrates the seasons as Vivaldi attempted in his work with the same title. As Dr Wilby said, "How can you describe four seasons in three movements?" He then explained that his intention was to describe our emotions as we progress through the seasons and the three movement suite form was suitable for this.

Dr Wilby raised the question of the relationship between the composer and the band during rehearsal and performance. The term he used was 'Symbiosis' between the interdependent features of the creative and performing processes. He said he welcomed thoughts on this because the problem of writing interesting parts for 'second' players is accentuated when writing for lower section bands. Dr Wilby then began to offer a number of solutions! The first example was a demonstration of several qualities of drum roll that feature prominently in this piece. Dr Wilby described these as a 'poetic' way of dealing with what otherwise may be a repetitive sound.

Regarding 'second' parts he highlighted the difficulties of tuning chords in extreme keys that require second and third valve fingering. As an example he gave the tonic chord of G flat major from The Seasons scored for second and third cornets and soprano. The general opinion was that good listening skills were essential in these situations.

The comments made by Dr Wilby reminded me of when I started playing in a band. We survived on a musical diet of Fantasias by J A Greenwood and other similar pieces. We enjoyed them because everyone was playing almost all the time! Dr Wilby displayed a more sophisticated approach to the problem of making music interesting for the less experienced players. But, at no point did he suggest that composers should 'write down' for them. His solutions were musically integrated into the piece and were as essential to the performance as the 'solo' parts, possessing an educational dimension that can be exploited by the conductor.

Dr Wilby then commented on his piece Atlantic, for which he supplied examples from the score. This was written for the Tomra Brass Band, who are based in a shipbuilding community in Norway and draw players from the local population. The piece is arranged as a Concerto Grosso, that is, a work for several solo players, who are surrounded by a larger group who support the musical argument, provide antiphonal musical opportunities, and on occasion overwhelm the solo group in climatic outbursts. It is written for two 'bands', the division in the score being marked by the percussion. Consequently, the visual impact is similar to an orchestral symphonic score. It was explained that the manuscript paper had to be designed before the scoring could be done. It was composed in 2001 and recently used in Norway as a test piece. From the tantalising snippets we heard, this piece promises to become widely popular. This part of the session was concluded by a performance of The Seasons.

Neil Richmond then talked about composers having connections with Harrogate district. Neil is well known locally as a dedicated teacher and conductor. Now retired, he has assisted the Harrogate Band and David Lancaster in researching the topic and arranging the resultant music. The first name raised was that of Ernest Farrar. He studied at Durham and Dresden in the early years of the last century before being appointed organist at Christ Church, Harrogate. He was also active in local orchestras. Regrettably he was killed in World War I. One of his works, Heroic Elegy, written whilst he was serving in the army, had been performed only once. The score was discovered in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and arranged for brass hand by Neil Richmond. The work includes the Agincourt Song, later used by Walton in his music for the film Henry V and shows that, had Farrar survived, he would probably have become an important 20th century composer.

Another local composer was Arthur Wood of Three Dale Dances fame. It seems that he wrote two suites of dances, making Six Dale Dances in all! While in Harrogate he played second flute in the Municipal Orchestra, which apparently was of a commendably high standard.

Perhaps the most famous composer with Harrogate connections is Gerald Finzi. He moved to Harrogate with his family to escape the Zeppelin raids on London in 1915 and studied with Ernest Farrar for a short time. An arrangement of the introduction to his work Dies Natalis was performed. It was originally written for strings; the success of this arrangement by Neil Richmond may encourage someone to arrange his Romance for String Orchestra for brass band.

Then followed an illustrated talk by a member of the Harrogate Band, Gavin Holman, about bands in Harrogate. Music was very important to the commercial health of the town when visitors 'took the waters'. The musical day began at 7.3Oam! Those who have tasted the spring water of Harrogate will readily understand that it is advisable to stay out of doors after doing so! To enhance the promenading experience, professional musicians took to their instruments morning, noon and night (sorry about the pun!) This talk was expertly given and far removed from the normal band history lesson.

The Harrogate Band concluded the afternoon by playing three works. The first of these was Wilfred Heaton's march Tricot Rouge, followed by The Royal Border Bridge from Arthur Butterworth's Three Impressions for Brass, and concluded with a march written by David Lancaster, Dragon Parade, named after a street in Harrogate. David is modest about his music, but this march could well become part of the standard repertoire.

Thank you to everyone who made this memorable afternoon possible. The Harrogate Band played to the high standard we have come to expect, showing musical sensitivity and understanding of the music they performed. A special thank you to Philip Wilby for his contribution, and to Neil Richmond and David Lancaster for sharing with us the results of their research and commitment into a fascinating topic that continues to enrich the whole brass band movement.

Ron Darwin

Harrogate Advertiser, 25 January 2002

An award-winning website has turned members of the Harrogate Band into television stars. Ten Harrogate players and conductor David Lancaster have recently made the big break into media stardom when they performed in an episode of Yorkshire TV's popular Heartbeat programme. The chance came following YTV's perusal of the band's website which has twice won Best Brass Band site on the internet and contains a vast amount of information, accessed by some 250,000 enthusiasts world-wide. The players spent two days on location around Yorkshire, recording a number of pieces and acting a key role in several scenes in the drama.
In addition to this the Harrogate Band was recently filmed during its preparations for the 2001 National Brass Band Championship Finals. The material is to be used in a half-hour series called 'A Grand Night Out' which follows Yorkshire people getting ready for a big event. The crew not only followed preparations for the event but also tracked the progress of two other big events in the band - the wedding of band member Lynne Stockdale, whose father also plays with the band, and the birth of Bethan Illsley, daughter of members Robert and Katie. The production crew worked with the band over several weeks, and travelled with them to the competition. Both films have yet to be broadcast.

---

Harrogate Advertiser, 25 January 2002

Busy Year For Town's Band

2002 will continue for The Harrogate Band with a packed schedule. February sees the band make its debut at the prestigious Durham association contest, a real hotbed of competition, before heading into the studio to cut their latest CD, 'Made in Harrogate'. That recording will predominantly feature music associated with Harrogate or by local composers, and will contribute to the Royal Hall Restoration Fund to which the band has already contributed over £2000.
The early part of the year will also see the band feature in two TV programmes, a YTV documentary about the group, plus a forthcoming episode of 'Heartbeat' which features a number of band members masquerading as the local band throughout the story. March will see the band defend it's title at the North of England Championships, followed in April with defence or their Yorkshire and Humberside title.
The remainder of the year will see the band feature around the county in a wide range of events. Not only will they perform a recital of local music for National conductors association's annual conference, but are also planning two contrasting collaborations - firstly a Gershwin event, the centrepiece of which will be a performance of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with concert pianist, and secondly a groundbreaking rock collaboration with a local group! The band will of course be seen in more traditional guise at indoor and outdoor venues such as Wetherby, Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Leeds - always a hit with local audiences.

---

? 2002

Exciting Year Ahead for The Harrogate Band - From Stars and Stripes to TV Stars!

2002 promises to be an exciting and challenging year for The Harrogate Band, with their first major performance of the year taking place on January 18th at Harrogate's Crown Hotel. The Band plays host to the Concordia University Wind Ensemble from Wisconsin USA in an event which promises to be a musical extravaganza! This 80 piece instrumental ensemble from the university performs sacred and classical music from the standard wind repertoire from such composers as Reed, Hoist, and Copland. The group embarks on a 10-day tour each January, and 2002 sees them travelling to the UK. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Louis A. Menchaca, Director and Professor of Trumpet at Faculty at Concordia University where, since 1992, he has guided all aspects of the Instrumental Music Program. Under his guidance the Wind Ensemble has gained regional, national, and international renown. The Concordia University Wind Ensemble will of course share the stage with reigning North of England Champions The Harrogate Band under the baton of David Lancaster. The performance commences at 7.30 pm in the Crown Hotel Ballroom. Tickets are £5.00 for Adults, £3.00 for Concessions, and available on the door. For further information please contact Sharon on 020 7870 8551.
2002 will continue for The Harrogate Band with a packed schedule. February sees the band make its debut at the prestigious Durham association contest, a real hotbed of competition, before heading into the studio to cut their latest CD, 'Made in Harrogate'. That recording will predominantly feature music associated with Harrogate or by local composers, and will contribute to the Royal Hall Restoration Fund to which the band has already contributed over £2000.
The early part of the year will also see the band feature in two TV programmes, a YTV documentary about the group, plus a forthcoming episode of 'Heartbeat' which features a number of band members masquerading as the local band throughout the story. March will see the band defend it's title at the North of England Championships, followed in April with defence or their Yorkshire and Humberside title.
The remainder of the year will see the band feature around the county in a wide range of events. Not only will they perform a recital of local music for National conductors association's annual conference, but are also planning two contrasting collaborations - firstly a Gershwin event, the centrepiece of which will be a performance of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with concert pianist, and secondly a groundbreaking rock collaboration with a local group! The band will of course be seen in more traditional guise at indoor and outdoor venues such as Wetherby, Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Leeds - always a hit with local audiences.
After making 2001 the most successful in year their 31-year history, with promotion to the 1st division of competition yet still achieving an unprecedented set of four titles, the band are now looking forward and working hard towards making 2002 even more successful!

---

Harrogate Herald, 4th January 2002

Strike up the band

An American wind ensemble will be joining forces with the Harrogate Band to perform a musical extravaganza at the Crown Hotel Ballroom later this month. The well-reputed Concordia University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will deliver meaningful, communicative and expressive music from "Westminster Carol" to "American Salute" on January 18th. As a viable and reputable music ensemble on the Concordia University campus, the group are now well known in the surrounding community and the greater Milwaukee area. This ensemble, described as being committed to a high standard of instrumental performance and literature, has also toured and performed in over 25 states across the USA. A broad range of resources and publishers is enlisted to help the group find music for sacred literature as well as for interpreting the fine secular works in the repertoire. As Professor of Music at the university, Dr Louis A Menchaca will conduct the ensemble, after guiding all aspects of the instrumental music programme since 1992. Dr Menchaca was nominated by his students to Who's Who Among American Teachers, and it is thanks to him the ensemble has gained local, regional and national recognition.
The Harrogate Band will be conducted by David Lancaster in the musical performance on Friday 18th Januaryat 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the door at £5 for adults and £3 concessions.