Guernsey Concert Brass The Director's Cut

The Director's Cut

Simon Says:

BOOK REVIEW:-

Black Dyke - An Inside Story - John H Clay

John Clay was one of the youngest ever accepted playing members of Black Dyke Mills Band (as they were called in those days). During his 15 year tenure with the most successful brass band in the world, he covered every cornet position within this band's elite set-up, including Principal Solo Cornet. His last 8 years with the band were spent on the Flugel seat.

Guernsey Concert Brass and Clifton & Lightcliffe Band (John is currently MD) have performed together twice recently, which is how I learned of the existence of this recently published book, and I did offer to read and review it, (though John still made me pay for it.....typical Yorkshireman).

Black Dyke Mills Band moulded my young music career, either listening to their wonderful recordings, or attending live concerts and contests, and John was a member of the band during this developement, which shows he is much older than me.

However, what do we have here..........we have a definitive record of the greatest brass band that has currently existed in terms of contest results.

John's research through the archives of this great band is astounding and he has found records of trips to contests, tours of the USA, what was paid, and even what was eaten for breakfast on these journeys.

There are letters and photographs from eminent players, conductors and professional conductors, all of which draw you in to the unique history of this incredible family of musicians.

I would recommend this book (inclusive with a DVD) to any brass band person, or Black Dyke follower, who enjoys a historical journey which includes mentions of Black Dyke's main adversaries (yes they have had them), and the bad times in the band's history, (they've had them also).

To purchase a copy of this book, which should appeal to all brass band followers, not just Black Dyke supporters, the cost is £30, including a DVD, and is available from:-

John Clay, 260 Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe, Halifax, West Yorks, HX3 8TY.

OR you can telephone your order to John - 01422 - 201875.

OR you can pass your details through this website, and we will forward your details to John for him to contact you.

__________________________________________________

I today learned (Saturday 7th April), of the death of an ex-army buddy of mine, we studied together at Kneller Hall.

His name, George Rodger, aged 47.

He is the second member of my class to pass away at an early age, the other member was Geoff Bright who succombed to an inoperable brain tumour in October 1999, he was, give or take a few days, 40 years of age.

We were a class of 13 members drawn from all different units of the army because of our musical and administrative skills to be trained and moulded into conductors...the name of our class was the "Ralph Vaughan Williams" class of 88.

Mostly we were a close-knit team and good friends, you had to be to get through the 3 years of intense pressure.

Why am I writing this, as it has nothing to do with the Guernsey Concert Brass......just basically so they are either remembered, or even known about through visiting this site.

Having suffered cancer myself, it just brings it home how lucky we are to have had the beauty of music in our lives........for however long or short they may be.

R.I.P. Geoff and George.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s not the mouthpiece; it’s how you blow it!

Why do we put ourselves through the rigours of being a musician?

The pressure, rehearsals and everything else that goes with putting together a performance.

I think the answer to this question, (certainly for me), is the feeling you get at the end of what you know to be a good performance. The reaction from the crowd.

I think every band member would say the same thing, especially the feeling they got after our performance at Uppermill Civic Hall during the Whit weekend this year.

We were second on in a concert which also featurerd the Armagh Old Boys Band, and in the second half, Lana Clough's Frankfurter Band.

I chose to put on a programme of film and TV music, (apart from our contest march, The Triumph of Right), and I could tell that the audience were enjoying our performance, they even laughed at my jokes, which is a fair indication of their enjoyment.

The concert was running about 20 minutes late due to us and Armagh over-running, so I told the audience I was not going to play one of the chosen pieces.......they were having none of it, and in the end, we performed our full programme.

At the end of our set, the concert was running about half-hour over, so I thanked the audience and prepared to leave the stage along with the band.

Would they let us leave.......? NO, they wanted more, and would not let us go until we gave them another number, so I asked the audience what they would like, and they chose to hear a second rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean.

The applause did not end until every last member of the band had left the hall............

The feeling was amazing, and I think that every member of the band felt the same.....the elation.....that buzz........

The band still talk about that ovation......even now.

Phil Beckwith and his Champion Brass team made all of the arrangements, and even given his size, the audience were not feared of the wrath and repeurcussions from his endless running about looking at his watch.

Sorry for the over-run Phil and Helen.

I think that is why we go through the rigours of being a musician.

Simon J Applegate LDBBA
Musical Director - Guernsey Concert Brass


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During his 15 year tenure with the most successful brass band in the world, he covered every cornet position within this band's elite set-up, including Principal Solo Cornet. His last 8 years with the band were spent on the Flugel seat. Guernsey Concert Brass and Clifton & Lightcliffe Band (John is currently MD) have performed together twice recently, which is how I learned of the existence of this recently published book, and I did offer to read and review it, (though John still made me pay for it.....typical Yorkshireman). Black Dyke Mills Band moulded my young music career, either listening to their wonderful recordings, or attending live concerts and contests, and John was a member of the band during this developement, which shows he is much older than me. However, what do we have here..........we have a definitive record of the greatest brass band that has currently existed in terms of contest results. John's research through the archives of this great band is astounding and he has found records of trips to contests, tours of the USA, what was paid, and even what was eaten for breakfast on these journeys. There are letters and photographs from eminent players, conductors and professional conductors, all of which draw you in to the unique history of this incredible family of musicians. I would recommend this book (inclusive with a DVD) to any brass band person, or Black Dyke follower, who enjoys a historical journey which includes mentions of Black Dyke's main adversaries (yes they have had them), and the bad times in the band's history, (they've had them also). To purchase a copy of this book, which should appeal to all brass band followers, not just Black Dyke supporters, the cost is £30, including a DVD, and is available from:- John Clay, 260 Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe, Halifax, West Yorks, HX3 8TY. OR you can telephone your order to John - 01422 - 201875. OR you can pass your details through this website, and we will forward your details to John for him to contact you. __________________________________________________ I today learned (Saturday 7th April), of the death of an ex-army buddy of mine, we studied together at Kneller Hall. His name, George Rodger, aged 47. He is the second member of my class to pass away at an early age, the other member was Geoff Bright who succombed to an inoperable brain tumour in October 1999, he was, give or take a few days, 40 years of age. We were a class of 13 members drawn from all different units of the army because of our musical and administrative skills to be trained and moulded into conductors...the name of our class was the "Ralph Vaughan Williams" class of 88. Mostly we were a close-knit team and good friends, you had to be to get through the 3 years of intense pressure. Why am I writing this, as it has nothing to do with the Guernsey Concert Brass......just basically so they are either remembered, or even known about through visiting this site. Having suffered cancer myself, it just brings it home how lucky we are to have had the beauty of music in our lives........for however long or short they may be. R.I.P. Geoff and George. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It’s not the mouthpiece; it’s how you blow it! Why do we put ourselves through the rigours of being a musician? The pressure, rehearsals and everything else that goes with putting together a performance. I think the answer to this question, (certainly for me), is the feeling you get at the end of what you know to be a good performance. The reaction from the crowd. I think every band member would say the same thing, especially the feeling they got after our performance at Uppermill Civic Hall during the Whit weekend this year. We were second on in a concert which also featurerd the Armagh Old Boys Band, and in the second half, Lana Clough's Frankfurter Band. I chose to put on a programme of film and TV music, (apart from our contest march, The Triumph of Right), and I could tell that the audience were enjoying our performance, they even laughed at my jokes, which is a fair indication of their enjoyment. The concert was running about 20 minutes late due to us and Armagh over-running, so I told the audience I was not going to play one of the chosen pieces.......they were having none of it, and in the end, we performed our full programme. At the end of our set, the concert was running about half-hour over, so I thanked the audience and prepared to leave the stage along with the band. Would they let us leave.......? NO, they wanted more, and would not let us go until we gave them another number, so I asked the audience what they would like, and they chose to hear a second rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean. The applause did not end until every last member of the band had left the hall............ The feeling was amazing, and I think that every member of the band felt the same.....the elation.....that buzz........ The band still talk about that ovation......even now. Phil Beckwith and his Champion Brass team made all of the arrangements, and even given his size, the audience were not feared of the wrath and repeurcussions from his endless running about looking at his watch. Sorry for the over-run Phil and Helen. I think that is why we go through the rigours of being a musician. Simon J Applegate LDBBA Musical Director - Guernsey Concert Brass