National Finals, Dundee, 20th September 2003
Test Piece: Call of the Sea (Eric Ball)
Result: 14th out of 21 bands
Draw 16 Downton
We set sail with the captain holding a firm hand on the tempo rudder. It is
clean and tidy, but just lacks the flow that the piece needs to come to life.
Everyone puts their part in, but it sounds like a cruise in the Baltic Sea - a
bit chilly around the gills. It is commendably safe though - an armour plated
hull but we wish they would let themselves go a bit. As we get to the end it
starts to reveal itself and it is good stuff. A fine end as well. Lots to
commend, but it seems the captain and crew were a bit uncertain of taking the
life jackets off. When they did it was excellent.
Star Player: Solo cornet - a real ray of warmth throughout.
Thanks to 4BarsRest
Well the 4BarsRest guys were spot on I guess, it does sound in line with the comments from “the boys in the box”
Still, a straw poll (didn’t ask the MD, of course!) reveals we were happy with 90% of the sounds we were making and only a couple of players were less than totally pleased with their performance – unnecessarily in my view (but I was hiding behind a huge lump of unfamiliar Besson-made metal). We played as a solid team and should be proud of our performance- not just for qualifying. Our performance was tuneful, considered, well prepared and musical in all respects.
On stage nerves were evident – but having been on this “biggest banding stage” once, we must realise that the band does have the potential (at 4th Section level at least) to improve on the result. Well done players, Roland and all who supported us these past months – especially those who travelled to Dundee - and wearily back!
Planes Trains and Automobiles
That’s the musical review over. How was the rest of the trip, I hear you ask. Well I should hear you ask…
Getting there seemed little problem. All methods of travel, except boat, airship, bicycle, tricycle, monocycle, tandem, rickshaw, canoe, horse drawn-sleigh, -cart, -landau, glider, motorcycle (2 stroke), motorcycle (4 stroke), elephant-sleigh, -cart, -landau, barge/canal boat, hang glider, skate board, roller blades, scooter (either powered or non-powered), tractor, digger, dumper, mixer lorry, camel, pig-sleigh, -cart, -landau, speed-boat, ice cream van, bi-plane, hot air balloon, yak-sleigh, -cart, -landau, shank’s pony, cable car, skis, etc; were used to get to Dundee.
Home from Home
On arrival we found our hosts at the Carlton House Hotel, Dalgeish Rd, Dundee (DHS accepted) and the Taychreggan Hotel, West Broughty to be most charming and (initially) very welcoming.
The Carlton was a charming and exclusive place with many exciting attractions and rooms to die in (Sorry I mean die FOR…) the Taychreggan was ok too.
Ensconced, the foot soldiers (no solo cornet/Solo Eupho or MD “were available…”) got on with the business of chowing down at the local curry emporium. The food was great and that married but very cute nurse in the party next door was just so hot! Nurse Madras for me, please!
After the meal the group was led in prayers of thanks giving by the Reverend (3rd Class) Gary Robert^. Following which we all retired to a room to get a good night’s rest/s***ing in (please delete as appropriate.)
Oh Happy Day
Next morning the party mood was broken. Breakfast for many by 0700h, a coach to the practice, one less vestal virgin in the back row, and the momentum was building. Then the panic-scare! The draw was 0830, but some fool had told the draw boys 0900! What’s the time? 0830. Where are the boys? In the wrong place. What do we think? Shucks!
So Bob and a young friend whisk themselves down to the Caird Hall. The friend - a beautiful athlete and former rower for Bishop Wordsworth’s School Christian Union - sprints the last 650 metres to the venue, up 1578 stairs to the balcony draw, lies that the car had broken down en route and that Iran’s secret WMD were in his boxers, so don’t mess with him and collapses in mock stroke mode to gain the sympathy of any of the on looking brass band officialdom. Well thanks to Rolo’s “little April fools gag”, the wheezing and (genuinely frightened!) bandsman was relieved to hear the draw was done – and we were in it!! Hallelujah. (Perhaps it is here that my confession is registered: I was the pratt who told Martin and Streeter the draw was at nine!)
Well the band relaxed a bit, while Roland locked himself in his room – muttering things about “last time I use out of date KY jelly” and the like – second best tantrum of the weekend, that. (Bob was savaged in the worst one – but it made me feel better, eh?).
So we taxied in to Dundee and eventually made it through the twelve holding chambers to register, warm up and have a final leak (or 3). The Hall was good to play in for us – we could hear ourselves well and Rolo deserves much praise for preparing us – he just walks very slowly! Well slower than the average adjudicator any way…
The results were delivered with the usual pomp and circumstance (now that would be andante…), including the overall criticisms of poor standards, slow tempos, tonal and tuning inadequacies and shocking playing by everyone. They did add that the weather was “nice” for the time of year (but not too nice).
Accepting our position 14th was fair enough, the band dispersed to shop, visit the local historic attractions (The “Discovery” is a good trip) and – for a large number – to the local hostelry, Huxters, to begin the long and difficult task of relaxing.
The afternoon became evening and after a further spot of relaxing, with a tart (strawberry in Charlotte’s case), the band sat together for a great meal or local “high tea” which was enjoyed by all. Pete Jung shared an interesting tale of ice cream manufacture in the tird world. Fortunately there were enough speedy maternal hands available to cover infant ears…PC non-PC.
Nights of Light Passion
The bar beckoned. The booze beckoned. Well the evening progressed in fine Downton fashion. It all flowed – and flowed. The merriment was almost universal as anecdotes from Salvation Army days, old flames and great banding moments – from Yorkshire to S Wales, Bournemouth to the Raj were shared with all.
By the end of the day (about 12.30pm) new friendships were cemented and only the landlord at the Taychreggan looked overly grim.
Accident of the day: Danny went for a late walk by the River Tay, and promptly slipped on the wet seaweed, bruising 4 ribs and denting the slipway.
Incident of the day: Emma, always happy to set herself new challenges, thought the drop from Jonny & Jolyon’s room (where the lock in was in full swing) was “on”. Well success! Until she realised that, only being 4ft 11”, the 8ft climb back in the window would be impossible. Eventually a few of the lads missed her and hearing her faint whimpering winched her back in! Nice outfit too, Emm!
Best money spent of the day: Jonny buying the contents of the Carlton House fridge before the above lock-in.
Steredent of the day: I think Jane found some toothpaste, eventually?
Condiment of the day: Gary’s pepper.
Impotent of the Day: None recorded…
Emergency Call Out of the Weekend: As the luggage van (with the “Woodfalls Roadies” and their masseuse ensconced) motored down the A74, the stuttering in the engine was followed by the immortal phrase “I think we might be low on fuel”. Anyway the AA found them, eventually.
Final Equations
Well the weekend will be remembered well by all and further personal recollections are very welcome. Watch this space…
Well done band!! A picture tells a thousand words, and I am sure you will enjoy ours posted around the site more than this report.
Nobby Todd
Notes:
^ This is a lie.
*** = “nor” i.e. snoring, thank you.