Lord Vallance of Tummel, Chairman of the Royal Conservatoire’s Board of Governors, said: “The entire Conservatoire community is immensely grateful to John Wallace for his outstanding leadership of the Conservatoire, which he will continue to provide up until September 2014.  Nearer the time, we will wish to mark John’s retirement as Principal in an appropriate way.”

John Wallace said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at the marvellous Royal Conservatoire of Scotland enormously and intend to maintain our upward momentum over the coming year or so.  My successor will be taking on one of the most stimulating and rewarding jobs in Scotland.”

The Royal Conservatoire’s Board of Governors will shortly begin the process of finding and appointing Professor Wallace’s successor along the lines recommended in the recently drafted proposed Scottish Code of Good HE Governance.

Trombone virtuoso Matthew Gee, principal trombone of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, former student and past member of the award winning Youth Brass 2000 is pleased to accept the honour of presenting the Award to his former teacher Chris Jeans for his 37 years of dedicated championship banding and over 30 years of Youth band service in the UK and Worldwide.

One of the banding world’s most respected and successful trombone players, Chris Jeans recently released his latest CD recording to critical acclaim, whilst as an educator he has been the Brass Co-ordinator and Musical Director of the School Symphonic Wind Band and Brass Band at Leicester Grammar School for more than 20 years. His inspired leadership of Youth Brass 2000 now spans over two decades, leading them to numerous contest and concert successes.

Philip Biggs commented: “Chris is a true legend of brass banding as a player, conductor, mentor and educator. His work with Youth Brass 2000 is nothing short of astonishing and to see the players that Chris has taught, shaped and inspired really says it all. He is the consummate professional and a role model to us all. He was the unanimous candidate for this year’s award.”

The Award will be presented to Chris at the conclusion of the All England Masters International Championship which takes place at the Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering on Sunday 26th May.

Tickets for both the Championship and Gala Concert are available from the Lighthouse Theatre Box Office, telephone 01536 414141.

The Symphonic Brass of London present a concert of virtuosic brass music in memory of Arthur Wilson at St John Smith’s Square on 15 May at 7:30pm. Tickets are £20, £16 and £12 and available from: The Box Office, St John’s Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA By telephone: 020 7222 1061 online: www.sjss.org.uk

The Symphonic Brass of London is a handpicked ensemble of Britain’s very finest brass and percussion players. Their unique combination of excellence and mastery of varied styles has created an extraordinary ensemble whose musical flexibility is second to none. The Symphonic Brass of London is widely celebrated for the impeccable quality of its orchestral sound and the vibrancy, high energy, pure joy and fun of its music-making.

Programme

La Triomphante – Couperin arr. Crees

Girl with the Flaxen Hair – Debussy arr. Mowat

Ritual Fire Dance – De Falla arr. Crees

Alborado del Gracioso – Ravel arr. Purser
* * * Interval * * *
Carmen Suite – Bizet arr. Harvey

The Spanish Dances – Grandos arr. Crees

Intermezzo from La Boda de Luis Alonso – Giminez arr. Crees

This course celebrates the 61st anniversary of the NYBBGB. The values and standards of the NYBBGB remain the same today as they did in 1952 when Dr. Denis Wright founded the band. The highest possible standards are required from all members both musically and non-musically.

The NYBBGB end of course concerts for Easter 2013 are as follows:-

Friday 5th April, 7.30pm – Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare

Saturday 6th April 7.30pm – The Victoria Rooms, Bristol

The programme of music includes; Eric Ball – The Triumph of Peace, Peter Graham – The Essence of Time, Philip Wilby – Paganini Variations, Fantasy on British Sea Songs – arr Gordon Langford, Andy Scott – The World Within, Roberton – All in the April Evening, Alexander Arutiunian – Trumpet Concerto

The section principals for the course are;

Principal Cornet and Leader – Illiam Quane

Soprano Cornet – Jack Wilson

Flugel Horn – William Norman

Tenor Horn – Jonathan Bates

Baritone – Michael Cavanagh

Euphonium – Daniel Morgan and Matthew Fletcher

Tenor Trombone – Christopher Binns

Bass Trombone – Joshua Cirtina

Eb Bass – Joshua Flynn

Bb Bass – Harry Cunningham

Percussion – Francesca Lombardelli

The Colorado Music Educators Association organized a contest for students to compose a sixteen bar melody to be the inspiration for an original wind ensemble piece. Along with Jupiter, the event was sponsored by BandDirector.com. Grammy Nominated composer, Rick DeJonge, was selected as the composer for the piece which was to include the world renowned Boston Brass and the Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band.

Dave Knox from Bandirector.com stated “The Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band proved to be a worthy choice for the world premiere performance of the Banddirector.com Student Commission Project. The band rose to the challenge, rehearsed and performed as true musicians.”

The winner of the melody contest was Jayson Elliott, a junior at Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. Mr. DeJonge presented Jayson with an autographed score of “Song of Light” signed by himself and the members of the Boston Brass just prior to the premiere. “I thought it was a really unique experience and it’s not what I expected. I was impressed with the middle school honor band, I liked the way Mr. DeJonge took the melody and made it into something as stirring as that. The Boston Brass was also wonderful and I never would have expected anything like that. Something as unique and awesome as that performance is just indescribable and unimaginable” said Jayson.

In a letter to Tabor Stamper, President of KHS America, Rick Shaw stated “It is with great appreciation that I thank you and all responsible parties at Jupiter Music Instruments for your commitment to music education. The vision and support of Jupiter is what made a unique event such as the Colorado Student Composition Project a monumental success. This World Premiere is going to be talked about for years to come and has raised the bar for what can be done when creative vision is supported by people with commitment and passion.”

You can see the premiere as well as film of the rehearsal: www.banddirector.com/article/pg-concert-band/colorado-student-commission-project?productguide=534

British Big Band Trumpet Player

It is with deep regret that I report the passing of Derek Watkins, the great British trumpet player, following a lengthy illness bravely borne.

Derek Watkins was widely considered to be the foremost British Big Band trumpet player ever to grace the stage, sharing unequalled status on both sides of the Atlantic. I know at first hand the esteem in which Derek was held by the very finest trumpet players in the USA from East to West  Coast – they regularly told me when I visited the USA how brilliant a trumpet player they thought Derek was. They always wanted to know how he was, showing their great affection for him. In fact, Derek was asked about more than any other British brass player when I travelled to the USA for band conferences and clinics. The great Dizzy Gillespie once said: “When you speak of lead trumpets, Derek is ‘Mr Lead’.”

Derek was born into a brass band family and taught to play the cornet at the age of four by his father and played with the brass band his father conducted, Spring Gardens Brass Band in Reading, of which his grandfather was also conductor and a founder member. He also played with his father’s dance band until he turned professional at the age of 17.

Derek Watkins played for many worldwide artists including Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath, Frank Sinatra and the James Last Orchestra. He also appeared with The Beatles, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, the London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras – and that is just a few from the UK. The list from the USA is equally impressive. Derek played on the soundtrack on every James Bond movie from Dr No to Quantum of Solace and was for fifty years the hottest property around when it came to trumpet playing whether it was on the stand live with the  band, playing with the backing orchestra, on the film track or for the CD. Derek was leader of the lead trumpet.

On a personal note, Derek was a people’’s person – no side, no ego, a fun loving musician who couldn’’t get enough of life, who loved his family. Whenever I saw Derek, whether visiting  the BBC Maida Vale studios in London to listen to him play Lead Trumpet with the BBC Big Band, or at a gig, he would always have a broad smile on his face and be only too ready to tell you a story. Derek was always hugely generous with his praise and encouragement.

Derek was Visiting Professor for trumpet to the Royal Academy of Music, lead trumpet of the BBC Big Band and gave master class clinics at music colleges around the world. He formed an association with Dr Richard Smith, Doctor of Acoustics, at Boosey & Hawkes and together Derek and Richard set up their own manufacturing company, Smith-Watkins Instruments, where they manufactured and supplied both trumpets and cornets.

Derek is survived by his wife Wendy and their children, Sean, Ellie and Sarah.

Philip Biggs

Josiah is a student of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a recent winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Musician of the Year, a composer and an arranger (performing his own brass band arrangement of Chris Brubank’s challenging ‘James Brown in the Twilight Zone’ from the renowned ‘Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra’ as part of his winning programe). Described by the BBC Radio 2 YBMY judges as “A player who encompasses everything good about the bass trombone”, and with such an impressive musical pedigree at just 20 years old, Josiah was an obvious choice as a rising young star who could positively contribute to the development of the trombone range.

Josiah was delighted with the decision and commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen by XO Instruments as its first young clinician. It is an honour to be involved in the development of a new range of professional level brass instruments for one of the country’s foremost musical instrument companies. I’m really looking forward to playing my new trombone and offering assistance in the creation of this new range.”

Nigel Lawless, sales Manager for Korg UK said “To have a player and musician of the quality that Josiah brings to the brand is a real coup for XO Instruments. He is not only a player of the highest quality but brings youth and enthusiasm to the role, just what is needed for a young dynamic brand.”

Commercial Development Manager for SBBA, John Hamilton said “It has been a real joy to bring this partnership to fruition. Josiah is not only a super young talent on trombone but already an accomplished composer and arranger and we also have the privilege of hearing him play when he performs in the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. This alliance has benefits for everyone concerned, XO gets a first class young talent, SBBA continues to create new links in its world-leading youth development programme and Josiah becomes involved in technical development with a global brand. It really is the best of all possible outcomes.”

The contest focused on original 8-10 minute works for college-level brass septet.  All qualifying entries were played and evaluated using a blind audition process by representatives of the workshop coaching staff and other California professional brass musicians. Amateur musicians will perform this year’s contest submissions in a workshop format during the July 2013 Brass Chamber Music Workshop at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif.

“We have once again expanded our library with wonderful music,” said Clements. “I am especially excited by the strong response of composers to our call to create new music for brass ensembles. Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to all the fine composers who submitted works.Please look for a spring announcement of the 2014 contest, which will focus on brass sextets.”

The Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop is held each summer in two one-week sessions. 2013 sessions are scheduled for July 21-July 27 and July 28-August 3. Activities include: daily chamber ensemble rehearsals coached by some of the West Coast’s finest brass musicians; daily performances by participants; brass choir reading sessions; abundant freelance playing time; special-interest sessions on brass-related topics; and spectacular California North Coast scenery.

For further information regarding the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop or the Composition Contest visit http://www.humboldt.edu/brass/  .

Helen is a member of the National Management Committee of BBANZ but will relinquish her role on this committee following her appointment.

Following the 2012 AGM Helen was re-elected to the National Management Committee, having first served for three years from 2002 during which time she was the Assistant Manager of the 2002/03 National Youth bands. She was appointed to be the National Contest Manager, a role she held until 2008.

Helen has two teen-aged children. Georgia plays baritone for Woolston Brass and trombone for many groups at Burnside High School. Cameron is at University and plays guitar in an Indie Post Punk band called Villain. After a three year break from being actively involved in banding (other than taking children to band practices etc) she returned last year to an administration role with Woolston Brass as their marketing manager.

While known mostly for her administration work Helen has also been a brass player having followed in the footsteps of her father (Bob Lee) and grandfather (Bob Lee senior.) Having started as a nine-year-old in the Matamata Band she has also played for Timaru, Addington, Woolston Junior and Sunnybank Brass (Brisbane).

BBANZ President, Evan Sayer said of Helen’s appointment: “The Brass Band Association is fortunate to have found someone of Helen’s experience and skill to take on the role of Executive Officer, which includes management and supervision of National Contests”.