Brass Bands on the Record

Chris Bradley on his lockdown album, becoming a Besson artist and his fascinating musical life | episode 14

Celebrated cornetist, conductor and educator Chris Bradley joins Mark Good as he prepares to release a new album of music, all recorded at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more than 15 years, the newly-crowned Besson artist has impressed audiences far and wide with his performances as principal cornet player with Whitburn Band, enjoying no shortage of success – but his links with the band go back much further, as he explains.

Chris also reflects on his musical upbringing, from a young lad in Clydebank trying to get to grips with the trumpet, to performing with Scotland’s finest bands and orchestras.

That, and he picks a very tasty Piece of the Podcast.

Gary Curtin on his debut solo album, his musical journey and getting on his bike | episode 13

After a delay brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Foden's Band's principal euphonium player Gary Curtin is finally celebrating the launch of his solo album, Éire Time, which features some stunning playing from soloist and band.

Gary chats about the new release and speaks about what life has been like over the past few months, from embracing technology to welcoming a very special addition to the family. He also reflects on his musical journey to date, from being handed a baritone as a youngster in Cork to performing with the likes of Black Dyke, Fairey, Foden’s and Wingates.

There's also a fantastically-catchy (and somewhat cheesy) Piece of the Podcast.

But first, what does it feel like to see that new solo album hitting the shelves?

 

Steven Mead on life during the pandemic, creativity shining through the darkness, his musical life and fishing | episode 12

Globetrotting euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead discusses the importance of people continuing to play and maintain hope during the ongoing pandemic. He also reflects on his early musical life, from being handed a cornet in the Salvation Army, telling his careers advisor at school he wanted to play the euphonium and glory years at Desford Colliery Band.

Steven examines the standard of euphonium playing today, discusses his hopes for a more criteria-based adjudication system and chats about reconnecting with his fishing rods.

All that, and a cracking Piece of the Podcast.

Brass Bands England's Kenny Crookston and Alex Parker on COVID and the Brass Band Conference | episode 11

Look around the international banding community and you’ll see huge variations in what bands are and aren’tallowed to do as they follow guidance relating to the COVID-19 pandemic from their respective governments.

Even across the UK, the picture is pretty mixed. There’s a feeling among some bands in England of taking one step forward and two steps back. Some had started to rehearse in bigger numbers again, only for the ‘rule of six’ to plunge this activity into doubt.

Brass Bands England has been offering support and guidance to member bands throughout the pandemic so who better to speak to than the organisation’s partnership and development manager, Alex Parker, who’s been right across the issue, and someone who is no stranger to the pages of British Bandsman, these days for being in them and once upon a time, for writing them, BBE CEO, Kenny Crookston.

Later, they’ll look ahead to BBE’s upcoming Brass Band Conference, which this year takes place online. But first a question to Alex Parker: just what are bands in England allowed to do?

Sarah Groarke-Booth on being an actor and musician, conducting standards and ensuring women have opportunities | episode 10

From conducting to the cobbles of Coronation Street and appearing in theatre, actor and musician Sarah Groarke-Booth has enjoyed a diverse and fascinating career.

Since taking over at Rainford Band almost a year ago, she has enjoyed a fantastic start, including a podium place at the North West Regionals.

Sarah reflects on her conducting career, discusses treating a score like a script and charts her path from studying music to acting and going full circle. She also discusses the importance of giving more women the opportunities to embrace positions of leadership in the brass band world and gives an honest view of the standards of conducting and adjudicating.

Stein Skorpholm on Norway and COVID-19, compering with confidence and the rise and rise of Norwegian banding | episode 9

Stein Skorpholm will be a familiar face to many as a host of the European Brass Band Championship. In fact, he also fronts the Norwegian Nationals and a wide range of other musical and cultural events, so he’s someone with his finger on the pulse of all things banding in Norway.

Stein discusses being practically born into banding, his early musical experiences and the transformative effect of hearing Black Dyke for the first time in his youth.

He also reflects on the rise and rise of the Norwegian brass band scene, picks a mouth-watering Piece of the Podcast and singles out a couple of his European Championship highlights.

To begin, Stein offers an insight into how Norway is charting its own path through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ian Porthouse on leading Tredegar to new heights, thinking outside the box - and having lunch with Bill Nighy | episode 8

Since returning to Tredegar Town Band in 2008, Ian has guided the Welsh band to new heights, enjoying considerable contesting success.

Under Ian, Tredegar hasn’t been afraid to think outside the box, from its involvement in the ballet Dark Arteries to recording for TV and film. From getting the thumbs up on Britain’s Got Talent to having lunch with actor Bill Nighy, Ian shares some of his fond memories with the band down the years.

He also looks back on some major musical influences, discusses conducting appointments in Austria and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland – and explains why he doesn’t tend to use a baton. But first, Ian’s reflections on life in lockdown.

Lode Violet on his flourishing career, comparing the Belgian and UK band scenes and life in lockdown | episode 7

Still in his mid-twenties, Lode Violet has been around for some time; in fact, he’s already held the principal cornet chair in Brass Band Willebroek for around nine years.  

From studying with his dad to performing at the British Open, the holiday in France that ignited his desire to compose and his Piece of the Podcast, Lode provides a fascinating glimpse into his musical life.

Lode also lifts the lid on life in lockdown in Belgium. 

Edward Gregson on bands' obsession with contesting, redressing the balance and the Ivors Awards | episode 6

Over the past 50 years, the composer Edward Gregson has made a huge contribution to the brass band repertoire. Although his works for band only account for around 25 per cent of his compositions, it’s a world about which Edward has always been very passionate.

Edward also feels the time has come for brass bands to think seriously about what they want to be. Coming up, he chats about what he calls ‘the obsession with contesting’ and how it’s time to rebalance our thinking in order to ensure that bands can rightly be taken seriously in the wider musical world.

Edward began by giving his reaction to the news that the brass and wind band category has been omitted in the latest call for submissions from the Ivors Composer Awards.

Siobhan Bates on four years at Black Dyke, winning BrassPass Young Brass Award and sticking with the tenor horn | episode 5

She might only be in her early 20s but Siobhan Bates has already established herself with one of the most famous names in banding, and is celebrating four years in the principal horn seat at Black Dyke.

From her highlights with Dyke to winning the BrassPass Young Brass Award after nearly missing out and why she stuck with the tenor horn despite pressure to move elsewhere, you’ll hear it all in this podcast.