Phoenix Players involved with Brass in Concert 2009, Gateshead
John Woods, Solo Euphonium of Phoenix Brass, was once again heavily involved in the organising of the 2009 Brass in Concert band contest in held in Gateshead on the 14th and 15th November.
As Business Solutions Manager for the Shaw Trust, John Woods was the companies representative throughout the two day festival which included Brass and percussion workshops and concourse concert, aimed primarily at young people and those new to brass playing, Taster sessions in the foyer of the Sage, a concert by Youth Brass 2000 from Leicestershire, the Gala Concert and the main competition on Sunday.
John hosted the Taster sessions supported by a small team of brass trainers with a focus on encouraging young people and visitors “to have a go” on a brass instrument. This formula has already produced a number of true progressions by visitors to the Taster sessions at previous Brass in Concert Taster Sessions. This year Barry and Sue Flint from Lancashire took part in the workshops and concourse concert. 2 years ago they attended the taster sessions and had a go at blowing for the very first time and were inspired to take up lessons. Furthermore Sue who is a primary school teacher has set up a school band at Crawshawbooth Primary, Rawtenstall Lancashire and has formed working relationships with 3 local bands. They were joined by 75 other participants in the workshops with tutors and their conductor Professor Nicholas Childs from the winning band of National Championships of Great Britain -Black Dyke who also performed in the Gala Concert.
On Sunday twelve bands performed a 23 minute entertainment programme and were adjudicated on quality of playing, entertainment value and contribution of soloists - the whole day spanned 11 hours of music making. Both the Gala Concert and competition played to capacity audiences.
Shaw Trust Employment Services representatives, Mary Freeman and Caroline Dryden from the Gateshead Office, hosted a stand in the Sage foyer, welcoming visitors to the Sage from throughout the country and Europe. They were joined by John McKinstray from Middlesbrough who has recently started a new project “Digital Champions” in the North East that is aimed at musicians and especially to those who teach with participants attending a series of workshops on various digital topics like video, animation, imaging, digital story telling, digital audio, digital music.
Overall winners of the competition were the Fodens band from Cheshire with last years winners Cory placed 3rd-. John presented the Shaw Trust trophy for the best soprano cornet player to Kevin Crockford of Grimethorpe Colliery Band (well known through the film “Brassed Off”).
Highlights of the weekend will be broadcast on ‘Listen to the Band’ on BBC Radio 2, hosted by Frank Renton who was compere for the weekend. The whole event was also recorded for CD & DVD releases planned for 2010.
Released On 23rd Nov 2009
