Wed, 16 September 2009 Education, Technology, Music News. Classical Almanac, Pop Music History. Todd and Andy express an opinion about decisions made in NABBA. Have a listen! Comments[1] |
Enjoyed the 'cast, gents.
Interesting comments about NABBA; if indeed the contest format change is true, it would be a bit of a step back in time when the only requirement for bands was that they fill a certain number of minutes - the test piece and anything else they liked. A march and a hymn tune were occasionally used; if I remember correctly a few bands even managed to work in three additional, short selections. However, at that time there was no *requirement* that there be a hymn-like selection and a march, that's simply what many bands did. BBC was one of the first groups to actually pick a piece that was more difficult than the test piece, and it was a strategy that served us well for many years.
I'm not sure I disagree with the format change itself as much as the fact that the change is so radical. If I can use a sports analogy, one of the reasons I like baseball is that it is so consistent; you almost never have changes to the actual rules from year to year. Example: the distance between home and first base is exactly right, an infielder has to turn the play perfectly or the runner is safe...and there are many plays each game decided by an eyelash. This and other details keep baseball, in my mind, a "mature" sport that - even if you don't like it - is admirable for its consistency. Now with NABBA, we lose consistency simply because the rules of competition seem to change in large ways every few years or so. Does this help to keep bands on their toes? Perhaps, but I also wonder if it might generate some unease about the competition itself among bands...perhaps fewer will attend contest this year, which to me would nnegatively impact the continued development of bbrass banding here in the U.S. Or, as one of you opined, perhaps more bands would be encouraged to compete at the next level - I have no idea, but I do believe it is a potential risk for the NABBA board. Obviously they have good reasons to make these changes; only time will tell if they are embraced by the membership and bands at large.
Thanks again, gentlemen, for an entertaining show.
G.Zonders
Interesting comments about NABBA; if indeed the contest format change is true, it would be a bit of a step back in time when the only requirement for bands was that they fill a certain number of minutes - the test piece and anything else they liked. A march and a hymn tune were occasionally used; if I remember correctly a few bands even managed to work in three additional, short selections. However, at that time there was no *requirement* that there be a hymn-like selection and a march, that's simply what many bands did. BBC was one of the first groups to actually pick a piece that was more difficult than the test piece, and it was a strategy that served us well for many years.
I'm not sure I disagree with the format change itself as much as the fact that the change is so radical. If I can use a sports analogy, one of the reasons I like baseball is that it is so consistent; you almost never have changes to the actual rules from year to year. Example: the distance between home and first base is exactly right, an infielder has to turn the play perfectly or the runner is safe...and there are many plays each game decided by an eyelash. This and other details keep baseball, in my mind, a "mature" sport that - even if you don't like it - is admirable for its consistency. Now with NABBA, we lose consistency simply because the rules of competition seem to change in large ways every few years or so. Does this help to keep bands on their toes? Perhaps, but I also wonder if it might generate some unease about the competition itself among bands...perhaps fewer will attend contest this year, which to me would nnegatively impact the continued development of bbrass banding here in the U.S. Or, as one of you opined, perhaps more bands would be encouraged to compete at the next level - I have no idea, but I do believe it is a potential risk for the NABBA board. Obviously they have good reasons to make these changes; only time will tell if they are embraced by the membership and bands at large.
Thanks again, gentlemen, for an entertaining show.
G.Zonders
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