Congratulations to Kingdom Brass

photo reproduced with permission from the British Bandsman

There were celebrations in Cowdenbeath recently as Fife’s very own Kingdom Brass returned triumphant from the 86th Senior Trophy Contest held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Kingdom is Fife’s only Championship Section band and has competed all over the U.K and Europe in the last few years against some of the world’s best bands.
They won in Blackpool in a section of 20 competing bands from all over the U.K. with a “stirring” and “technically superior” performance of Dr Peter Graham’s testpiece, "Essence of Time".

For all of their hard work and practise they picked up a superb trophy and £600 in prize money to add to the band’s funds and Craig Anderson (of whom the adjudicators said “The conductor is expert in finding right tempo, balance and style”) won the top Conductor prize for his superb interpretation of the testpiece.

The band of 28 players plus their conductor Craig Anderson travelled down to Blackpool on Friday night as the competition commenced at 10am with the draw for playing positions, where they were drawn to play in 6th place out of the 20 bands.

After a brief rehearsal in the morning at a hired club Craig gave the band a last minute run through the music and some final words of advice then they were off to the venue which was the Spanish Hall in the Winter Gardens.

Kingdom were hoping to improve on their 5th place finish of last year and felt confident in their performance despite only having had 3 weeks to prepare the test piece. As it transpired their confidence was not misplaced and the professional adjudicators Mr James Gourlay and Mr Malcolm Brownbill saw “Superb crafting” and “An object lesson in balance” in their performance.

Scotsman, James Gourlay, is a world renowned tuba soloist and a professional conductor who travels the world directing top class bands and orchestras. He teaches in Lyon, Weimar, The Julliard School of Music and the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and he is the Musical Director of Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band of Floral Dance fame.

Malcolm Brownbill is a performer, conductor and adjudicator whose wide musical experience has embraced military bands, orchestras and choirs and has conducted brass bands with prolific success since 1974. He is one of the movement’s most active adjudicators, having officiated at numerous events throughout Europe and the U.K.

Kingdom now holds the exclusive title as the only Scottish band ever to win this coveted title in the 86 year history of the competition.

They now have 4 weeks to prepare for their next contest, which is the West Lothian Challenge.

The reason for the short preparation time for the contest is that the band has only just returned to the U.K. from a tour of Germany where they were hailed as Scotland’s new musical ambassadors on the European scene with sell-out concerts in some of the country’s most prestigious venues.

Kingdom Brass has just completed a whirlwind 5 day tour of Germany playing 4 concerts in 3 regions of the country.

The tour was an unprecedented success culminating in a sell out Grand Gala concert in the palatial Munich Opera House.
The Gala concert displayed the bands versatility, technical ability and musicality. “The entertainment value has yet to be surpassed in Munich” according to the Bavarian Wind Band Association which raved about the band in the German newspapers.
Following the concert, “Sensational” “Inspired Virtuosity” and “a sparkling feast of entertainment” were just some of the comments to be seen in the next day’s press.

They were joined on stage by 2 guest soloists from the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Danny Bonvin (Trombone) playing Bluebells of Scotland was truly fabulous and Guido Segers (Trumpet) playing Ye Banks and Braes was inspired they both fitted perfectly into Kingdom’s Scottish themed second half of the concert.
Both of the guest soloists said they were astounded by the fact that a band consisting of “amateur” players performed with such “technical virtuosity” as well as “superb control throughout”, not having had the opportunity to rehearse the pieces prior to the performance and were sight reading their parts on stage for the concert.

The audience for their part were just astounded by the bands musical mastery and encouraged the band to 3 encores and responded with a standing ovation.
However Kingdom Brass seemed to be taking standing ovations in their stride as they were being treated to them at every concert.

As the first half of the each concert consisted of mainstream music the band wore traditional uniform, but a change to full kilt regalia (for men) and long skirts and tartan sashes (for the ladies) was in order to complement the Scottish music selection and dance band theme including Highland Cathedral accompanied by Guest Piper Mr John Mair in the second half.

After each of the 4 concerts the band were the guests of honour at civic receptions, one of which was attended by the British Consul General to Germany, Sir John Hooper. He commented that Kingdom were one of the finest band’s he had heard and hoped for their speedy return to the German concert circuit.
The first reception was hosted by Visit Scotland to encourage German businesses to consider investing in Scottish enterprise, the other guests being local luminaries from the business and financial sectors of Germany.

The tour was arranged by Mr Bob Ross a musical impresario and director of the world renowned Blechschaden Brass Ensemble.
Bob, who is originally from Dysart in Fife, was a keen brass bandsman prior to his moving to Germany and joining Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. He is now a TV celebrity in his own right in Germany, but has kept a link with his roots via Kingdom Brass’s bass trombonist, retired police officer Bill Sandell.
Bob acted as guest conductor and compere for all of the concerts and had the German audiences eating out of his hand from the moment he stepped on stage in his trademark tartan tailcoat and top hat.

The serious baton was wielded by Mr Craig Anderson from Glasgow, resident conductor of Kingdom Brass and virtuoso freelance tubist often to be seen on our screens performing at The Proms or with the RSNO or BBC Symphony Orchestra or a host of other venerable orchestras and ensembles.
Craig directed the band through the pieces with a mastery and ease that had the audience roaring with approval. His eloquent speech and his wonderful musical interpretations had them captivated and saw Craig signing autographs at the conclusion of the concerts.

The band have already been invited back to carry out an extended tour in Germany next year and to perform a one off concert in Berlin later this year which they are assured will be a sell out.

Kingdom Brass for their part said that the tour was one of their most memorable experiences and cannot wait to return, they would like to extend their thanks Bob Ross and Craig Anderson without whom the tour would not have been possible. And also Zolling Blasorchester from the Black Forest region of Bavaria and Rodenbacher Blasorchester for their support, hospitality and assistance in providing percussion equipment for the tour.

Many new friendships were born out of this tour, says Bob Ross but one old friendship was renewed when Danny Bonvin met John Hamilton one of Kingdom Brass’s 2 Euphonium players after first meeting 24 years ago.
Danny was principal trombonist with the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland and John was principal 1st Baritone with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.

N.Y.B.B.S was hosting a joint summer course with the N.Y.B.B. Switzerland at St.Andrew’s College in Glasgow where by coincidence Danny played Bluebells of Scotland as guest soloist accompanied by the Scottish youth band.
Danny and John struck up a friendship and stayed in touch for a few years afterwards, but time and distance saw them lose touch until they met, amazingly, some 20 years later, in the green room of Munich Opera House.
The two exchanged stories of their exploits in Scotland so many years before and parted with their friendship renewed.

It would seem that the hand of friendship will continue to be extended across the sea between Scotland and Germany on many levels and with bands of the quality of Kingdom Brass acting as ambassadors, our banding future in Germany at least, is indeed assured.

So between taking the German music scene by storm and winning one of the U.K.’s most prestigious titles, it’s looking like 2006 will be a great year for Fife and Scotland’s very own Kingdom Brass.

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