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Thoughts from the Chair

“The object of BASBWE shall be to advance the status of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles
in the United Kingdom, and the education of the general public”.

Yes… Summer is here… and many bands It’s rare that we hear of opera and wind Talking of bands across borders, in June
have been out and about braving the UV bands. There are arrangements of some we had the second outing of ECWO
to entertain, promote, educate, fund raise, standard operatic repertoire fashioned for (European Competition for Wind Orchestras)
play… because they can.... in parks, band wind band but rarely for complete theatrical this time in Brussels hosted by the Belgium
stands ( those still standing ) promenades, presentation and original opera written for amateur music association VLAMO.
streets, city centres, school fetes, town voices and wind ensemble rarer still.
halls, churches, memorials, celebrations etc This competition goes from strength to
etc etc… across the country… across the I was lucky enough to have been present strength building relationships with bands
world… thousands of bands… bands across at the RNCM for the first performance of and banding organisations across Europe.
borders visiting, country to country sharing, Adam Gorb’s Opera “Pathway to Heaven” The participating bands are by invitation
exploring musical, cultural and social for voices and wind ensemble, Libretto by (Birmingham Symphonic Winds under their
possibilities. Ben Kaye, conducted by Mark Heron. It is conductor Keith Allen were our UK
a staggering achievement on many levels representatives). This is not just a competition
A very heartening communal trait being with the instrumental, vocal and narrative but a sharing of musical experiences and
reported is the engagement of bands with invention hanging in the head for days opinion with round table discussions and
their local communities, not just with afterwards. It’s a landmark piece, not just opportunities for individuals and
concerts but creative contact through in Operatic terms but an opera with wind representatives of participating countries to
festivals, schools, collaborative workshops ensemble accompaniment, again, as Adam share and develop ideas together.
for kids and adults often with support to has done in the past, he and librettist Ben
local music hubs, drama groups, dance Kaye take us on a rollercoaster journey via My question continues to be “Who Benefits
groups, choirs and much else besides. One a subject we think we know in a manner from these competitions?” We have bands
such band is the Sandwich Band… they’re that’s unexpected, surprising, and very coming together who perform, bow, wait
here with us in this edition of WINDS. moving the conclusion of which is not tilt the end of the day to get there
dark despair but the exemplification of the adjudication and go home, til the next
Take a look at what they’re up to… and strength of the human spirit. Don’t take time. The time and efforts put in are
please let us know what you are doing in my word for it, have a read of the article enclosed in the competition hall. With
your area… .send us your stories, pictures, and enjoy the performance via the link: ECWO we have ostensibly the very best
anecdotes, opinions so we can pass them vimeo.com/278668161/554864453c bands from the participating countries.
on. We’re looking for as many ambassador (the supportive materials are reproduced Performances, as expected, have been
bands as we can shake a baton at. here by kind permission of the composer) phenomenal.

However, their expertise could be shared
with local community bands in rehearsal
workshops shared while they await the
delivery of adjudication. It would only take
two bands out of the ten/twelve bands to
take that on. A big rehearsal with a local
band would do so much for the esteem of
all concerned. These and other ideas are
being developed for future ECWO events.

There are performances in the streets
and surrounding areas at both Utrecht (1st
ECWO 2016) and Brussels (2nd ECWO 2018).

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