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Cornwall Easter Course |
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The Easter Course of The Cornwall Youth Brass Band this year marks the 50th Anniversary of their first Residential Course in 1959. The Trustees of the Band are holding a Reunion Supper during the Course on Saturday 11th April and are keen to contact as many of the Musicians as possible who were on the original Course to come along and revive their memories of the occasion. They will also be welcome at the end of course Gala Concert at St Michael’s Church, Newquay at 7pm on Monday 13th April.
It was in 1955, encouraged by Mr W Pearson, the County Music Advisor, that the idea of a County Youth Brass Band was born, the first in the United Kingdom. The object was to build up a large body of young players into a balanced band, which would encourage musicians throughout the County to come together to enjoy the challenge of music that they might not encounter in their parent bands. Initially there were two Bands the main one being restricted in numbers to the contest combination of 25 players, which was conducted by Fred Roberts, then Conductor of Camborne Town. The other was a training Band, which was Conducted by Frank Moore of St Agnes and whose members could advance to the main Band as they gained experience.
The first Solo Cornet was John Berryman and the first Soprano Rodney Richards and on Trombone was Goff Richards, who remembers being taken by his father to the rehearsals which were held in different towns around the County. In 1958 it was decided to place the Band under the umbrella of The Cornwall Brass Band Association, which had also been founded in 1955. A meeting was held at The Red Lion Hotel in Truro, when officials from the Band, Association and Music Service gathered along with Dr Denis Wright OBE, who had founded The National Youth Brass Band in 1952, and who had been invited to advise on the way forward. All present were very keen to see the Band progress and Dr Wright obviously harnessed and guided their enthusiasm as it was decided to hold a Residential Course for the first time the following year, with Dr Wright as Guest Conductor. This was held in August 1959, when 62 young players from 15 Cornish Bands camped at Porthpean near St Austell and worked for four days in a large Marquee, under the Baton of Dr Wright.
As well as a Concert, a Drumhead Service was held at The Poltair Recreation Ground at the end of the Course. Dr Wright expressed himself well satisfied with the musical aspects of the Course but not with the facilities. In a letter to The Chairman, Reg Trudgian he said, "I am not convinced that an outdoor camp and serious music making go well together". His remarks obviously made an impact as this was the first and only time that the Band camped out. Courses have continued ever since with a wide range of Guest Conductors and are now held twice yearly in Truro.
The Secretary of the Band, Phillip Hunt, will be delighted to hear from any of the Musicians on that original Course or from anyone who has information about them. He can be contacted on 01752 843919 or E Mail, brassmanpgh@uwclub.net |