You can get all the latest reports and updates on the first day of The Yorkshire Areas by going to 4BarsRest.  Iwan did a very fine job of keeping everyone up to date via Twitter.  Here is the photo of Lindley he posted: (Steve and Me playing the 2nd mvt. of the Holst-this is the … Continue reading “No joy in Mudville” or “Can you believe we drew #1 for the fourth time in row?!!!!”

Hi Everyone, Today is the first day of The Yorkshire Area Championships.  All four sections play this weekend in Bradford.  Lindley's final rehearsal was last night at the band room and today B&R will finish up their preparations.  In Lindley we have had a strong 2-weeks and the band has improved immensely. Whether or not … Continue reading Time to put up or shut up!

Contesting is stressful for lots of folks.  Things in the Lindley band room are quite tense.  On Sunday Paul (guest conductor for The Area) "pinned us to our seats". It was a strong tongue lashing but by all accounts, apparently it wasn't all that bad.  One band member started crying.  My guess is they were … Continue reading Getting serious

Hi All, Sorry about the posting gaps. Contesting preparation can be busy work. On Wednesday, Tom (owner of the music shop Octave Above) called to say my new York leadpipe had ARRIVED!!!  And Lindley band member Paul Harrison reminded me London Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet Rod Franks was in town for a master class at … Continue reading A very, very good day

It has been a very interesting week here in the UK. The girls are on Half-Term Break and both bands are working hard on contest music. The schedule has been very full and very fun. Some of you may recall Kate has taken up the cornet and that I have helped out a bit with … Continue reading Contesting, rehearsals, and “Its OK to act like a brass player” (a long post)

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Being lucky enough to play in 2 bands here, I have been working on the Area test pieces for both.  In March I'll actually do the contest with Lindley and just listen to B&R. The benefits of doing both are many.  Beyond the stretching effects on my playing, I am also able to work with … Continue reading The challenge of the test

Looked all over the Web for a live video feed of the Super Bowl. Guess where I found one? Yup, BBC. And they even have a button you can push if you want to learn the rules of the game. I'm still looking for the "Rugby and/or Cricket Rules" button....... Hope you all enjoyed the … Continue reading BBC Rocks!!! (Update 2:47AM)

So with Kate adding the cornet to her violin interests, Hannah's daily violin practicing (and participation in 2 new groups here), and my nearly constant trumpet and cornet playing, you would think we have enough music going on in the flat. You would be wrong. Now Sarah, who joined the church choir when we arrived, … Continue reading Getting the music bug

So after telling myself for months (years really) that the problems with pitch and clarity on my Besson Prestige were my chops and not practicing enough, I'm finally getting the horn fixed.  Next week I'll have a new leadpipe put on.  The B&R guys directed me to An Octave Above on the other side of … Continue reading Getting the horn fixed