News - British Open Rule Change

After several requests over the past few years to introduce borrowed players into the Open we have decided this year to allow one borrowed player. The player must be registered with the appropriate registry according to the rules, and must not be registered with a band in this years contest. We hope this has the approval af all competing bands, please refer to clause 10 & 10a.

News - British Open 2010 date

The date of the 2010 British Open is 4 September. Please note that this date will not clash with the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival at Bridgewater Hall.

Tickets for The Open will be on sale from Symphony Hall from Tuesday 18th May

The Test Piece for the 2010 British Open

‘ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS’

A concerto for brass and percussion by Peter Graham.

In 1676 Sir Isaac Newton wrote in a letter "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

The great scientist meant, of course, that if we wish to create great science we must first acknowledge and exploit the wisdom of our forebears. Our composer argues that in music, too, the statement holds good and that we have several hundred years of the creative work of great men from which to learn.

In the present work we are asked to acknowledge works and performers who have been part of our everyday listening for most of our lives. First in his "Fanfares" he draws our attention, using a theme from the eighth symphony of Anton Bruckner, to the extraordinary sounds of the brass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with its wonderful first trumpet Adolph (Buddy) Herseth. These players, he suggests, provided the foundation for the work of countless brass giants of our day. It is a statement with which few orchestral brass players would argue.

The "Elegy" which follows relates to the USA as the birthplace of jazz. In it are acknowledged two American giants, Miles Davis and Tommy Dorsey. It is no surprise that Flugelhorn and Trombone figure large.

The Finale, a "Fantasie Brillante" pays homage to the Sousa Band of the early 20th century. Herbert Clarke with his cornet, Arthur Pryor with his trombone and Simone Mantia of the euphonium deliver 'snippets' (sadly, they are brief!} from their virtuoso solos. Sousa's highest paid soloist, August Helmecke of the bass drum (who is said to have practised his drum for a half-hour every day even on tour) is not overlooked.

"On The Shoulders Of Giants" was commissioned by the Cory Band and The National Youth Brass Band Of Wales with the help of additional funding from Music Centre Wales.

Bram Gay
May 2010

Parts and scores are available from:-
Gramercy Music (UK)
PO Box 41
Cheadle Hulme
Cheshire SK8 5HF
Tel./Fax: + 44 (0) 161-486 1959
info@gramercymusic.com

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