Brass Bands on the Record

Anne Crookston on adjudicating, 30 years since that Nationals victory and her desire to see more women rising to the top | episode 4

Who’d be an adjudicator? It’s a demanding and some might say, thankless task, but it’s a vital role. An adjudicator’s decisions can bring elation or desolation and a judge’s comments can make or break someone’s confidence.

Anne Crookston is relishing her role as an adjudicator, in normal times regularly travelling far and wide to run the rule over some of the best bands around. She has the experience to back it up; a career steeped in education, and a performer who played at the highest level for decades before channelling her energy into conducting – all of which she discusses in this podcast, as well as a certain victory at the National Brass Band Championships 30 years ago.

Tuba virtuoso Ross Knight on life as an orchestral musician in Switzerland - and how brass bands helped him get there | episode 3

Tuba virtuoso Ross Knight chats to British Bandsman editor Mark Good about life with the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande and how the orchestra is adapting to life in lockdown.

Ross, a former winner of the former BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award, now run by BrassPass, reflects on how his grounding in brass bands has helped shape the musician he has become. He discusses life with the Carnoustie and District Youth Brass Band and fond memories at the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, learning under the likes of Richard Evans, Craig Anderson and Les Neish.

Ross, who retains real affection for the brass band world, also discusses ways banding might be able to change for the better.

Russell Gray on driving up conducting standards, the highs, not-so-highs and how it all began | episode 2

British Bandsman editor Mark Good hears from renowned conductor Russell Gray. From growing up in the once-famous Clydebank Burgh Band to performing with Black Dyke and conducting bands to victory all over the world, Russell enjoys a glowing reputation as a performer and conductor.

Russell discusses his new conducting manual, The Messanoic Method, and the need to drive up standards in brass band conducting. He also reflects on his conducting highlights to date and reveals the real reason he first picked up the baton as a youngster.

Sandy Smith on 'lost' test-pieces and the need to restructure | episode 1

British Bandsman editor Mark Good hears from Sandy Smith following Sandy's appointment to the panel which selects music for the Regionals and National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Sandy speaks candidly about 'lost' test-pieces, works which have fallen off the radar of contest organisers - and the need for them to return.

With the dust having settled on the 2020 Regionals, Sandy reflects on what he heard, offers his views on the gap between the Championship and First Section and says the time has come for change.