THE brass season gets under way with the regional fun contest at the Forest College this Sunday. It's a chance to see bands from around the South West and South Wales performing lighter pieces than in next month's formal regional competition.
The contest, organised by the Gloucestershire Brass Bands Association (GBBA), has attracted 16 bands. The four Forest of Dean bands are Cinderford, Bream Silver, A W Parker (Drybrook) and Forest of Dean Area Youth – the latter performing in a smaller section.
Welsh bands are Ynyshir and Tylorstown in the Rhondda, Corus (Port Talbot), Gwaun-cae-Gurweri – Champion brass bands of Wales 2nd section for 2007 and RAF St Athan.
"Bands will have started their rehearsals for the GBBA Entertainment contest straight after they returned to practice in January," says David Harding, Drybrook's A W Parker Band chairman. "They will also be practicing for the West of England Area Contest in March at the same time.
"Each of the four or five pieces that a band will play will be broken down to ensure that each of the 25 members of the band is able to play their part, and then put back together section by section until it is complete."
Bands' competitive spirit is revealed when the Review asks what pieces Drybrook might be playing.
"We would rather not reveal our programme prior to the contest – it would let other bands know what they were up against," Dave replies cannily.
"Let's just say that our pieces are entertaining and exciting."
For further information, contact Bill Poulton 01594 833899.