Over the next week, keep logged on to Simon Dunstan's Bugle Contest Diary for rehearsal by rehearsal updates on the 'B' Band's progress and preparation for the 2007 West of England Bandsman's Festival!
Tuesday 12th June - The Green, Green Grass of Brass
This, the first of three practices this week, started off with the mass exodus of the band room, out on to the daisies and dandelions of the great outdoors, below a cloudless sky, to ‘recreate the Bugle atmosphere’, away from the generous acoustics indoors. Our rousing rendition of William Rimmer’s, ‘Punchinello’ brought out the crowds from the local houses. So with this bustling audience of three, Alan set about the job in hand… and got stuck into the band about not having their music on card yet after weeks and weeks of hassle (since last Monday), as people quickly lashed together tape, manuscript and card to appease the man in the middle. With the music now manhandled together we set to the test piece, Bryan Kelly’s, ‘Divertimento’, last used in the 4th Section 2005 Qualifiers (if anyone is interested).
The band quickly adjusted, after a quiet start, to the difficult conditions with the Senior Band’s new MD, Jeremy Willcock; 2nd Cornet, Marcus Dunstan and 2nd Trombone, Nick Abbott, listening intently to the first run through, before leaving for their own intense practice with Frank Renton at the old band room. The practice continued without major incident, apart from Mica having to run back to the band room to retrieve the correct mute required, blaming the fact apparently Tracey had TOLD her to take that mute. This comment was met with the usual sarcastic ‘of course she did Mesh’. With many members of the band using their skills in swatting flies and playing simultaneously to great effect, the test piece improved rapidly, with the occasional cat call and cheer from the depths of the nearby estates, causing light amusement amongst the ranks. As the night drew in, Pope Jnr. called the practice to an end with all of the percussion and stands being dragged back into the band room and the vast audience, which had swollen to four throughout the evening, pottering back home after an evening of great entertainment and improvement.
Quote of the Evening: Alan Pope to Ashley Williams
“Yes Ashley, one of the movements themes IS of dinosaurs”
Thursday 14th June - The Pope's Rallying Bugle Call
The second, and penultimate, practice of the week started off much the same as on Tuesday. The mass pilgrimage from the band room to the sacred turf of Tuckingmill started as percussion, stands and the rest of the band room were moved out on the lawn, with a surprise flying visit today from senior band percussionist, Jeremy Taylor. This gave the basses and the percussion chance to be given a lesson in walking in a straight line, with some members of the youth band being conscripted into the bass section to add their marching know how, with Dave for once not having the answer, or blaming Russell.
Once this art of walking had been mastered, they joined back in with the rest of the band. With the practice about to begin the weather thought it would be funny to rain a little, not enough to move back indoors, but just enough to get everyone suitably wet. At the second attempt, the practice started with the band in a timid mood as the sound, and improvements from Tuesday, were lost and seemed to be long forgotten amongst the trees and undergrowth. With this apparent, Alan decided to intervene and deliver a clear message that rapid progress must be made else the ‘Magic of the Bugle Contest’ would come and bite us. With this we set about transforming the music, with great effect. The final run-through of the piece was a completely different beast that we had taken out of our cases at the beginning of the practice, with huge progress being made. With that the practice ended, with spirits buoyed for tomorrow nights final push.
Quote 1 of the Evening: Amber Roberts
“Oh, sorry I missed my cue. I thought Jack was gonna cry!”
Quote 2 of the Evening: Alan Pope
“I want all the horns, baris, euphs and trombones to be a lot louder. Except you Dom, we don’t need MORE bass trombone!”
Friday 15th June - The End Nears for the Dinosaurs
Tonight was the final practice of our three night final preparation for the Bugle contest. It was as if the weather knew this was important as the monsoon abated just in time for Alan to rally the troops one more time out onto the hallowed turf of the Tuckingmill Pavilion. Before the practice started, Society Chairman, Marcus Dunstan, weighed in with his praise and encouragement for the impending contest, along with best wishes from the Senior Band!
With our new found form from last night’s performance, Alan was able to generate another ‘thrilling’ story out of the third movement. It had come to the general consensus of the band that the walking bass crotchets at the beginning of the movement, accompanied by a flugel solo, sounded like a scene out of ‘Jurassic Park’. With this, his lightning whit sprung into action as solo members of the band were found their suitable dinosaur equivalents. As a quiet evening of concentration drew to a close, with test piece titivations complete, the practice finished on time (a new record for Alan) with hopes high for tomorrow. As usual at this time, Alan donned the Winston Churchill hypothetical cigar and swagger to deliver his final war speech before tomorrow’s performance. It would have worked even better if he had not had to ask directions to the contest afterwards! This brings an end to my final week’s commentary. If anyone has read this, then you must have a lot of time on your hands, and I envy you deeply. Good luck to the Senior Band from all at the ‘B’ Band, and with that I shall end.
Quote of the Evening: Amber Roberts
“Shouldn’t it be tyrannosaurus Becks?”
Sunday 17th June - 'B' Band Claim Victory at Bugle
Yesterday, following a stylish performance of Bryan Kelly’s ‘Divertimento’, Camborne 'B' Band won the Third Section of the West of England Bandsmen's Festival at Bugle.
Under the direction of Alan Pope, the band were awarded 1st place by adjudicator, Dennis Wilby, with second place going to Hatherleigh Silver Band from Devon. Samuel Eddy, the 'B' Band's Soprano Cornet player, was also awarded 'Best Player of the Third Section'. The band also took part in the traditional march down to the contest in the morning, followed by the Senior Band, and marched back up victorius, after the results, playing 'Punchinello' both times.
Third Section:
Test Piece – Divertimento (Bryan Kelly)
1. Camborne B (Alan Pope) - 183
2. Hatherleigh (Adrian Edwards) - 180
Best Player: Samuel Eddy – Soprano Cornet (Camborne B)
The band wish to thank Alan for the hard work he has put in over the past weeks and also send their congratulations to the Senior Band, who won the Championship Section.
Jeremy Taylor - Website Manager
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