The Quotable Stephen P Brown

"Stop talking about it and try doing it."

Christmas & Summer Concert British-style Brass Band!

[If you're reading this on Facebook, please go to www.stephenpbrown.com/spbblog.html for all the links to work! And remember to SHARE this post on your wall]

In lieu of a monthly newsletter, I am inviting you to "have your say" regarding one of the most delectable, smooth & brilliant community-based concepts the human soul could ever experience, and consider an idea that has been presented to me several times, particularly in the past few months. Your global/ worldly influence and direct input will ensure the correct, focused, and passionate formation of a British-style Brass Band in Northern NJ.

"What is a British-style Brass Band?" I hear some of you ask.

Brass Bands in the UK and the Commonwealth began in the mines and collieries of the Midlands around 1810, and now consist of 26 specific instruments and players, including three versatile percussionists. All performing members are volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to pursuing a perfect performance, either in community concerts or in regional and national competitions against other bands. Please read this excellent article by Douglas Yeo (trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra) about his experience with a British Brass Band.

It has been suggested that my own experiences playing for several different brass bands in the UK (primarily The Medway Brass Band and Aveley & Newham Brass Band) along with 20+ years training as a conductor, will help develop a new British-style Brass Band in Northern NJ. Alongside the Princeton Brass Band, the Imperial Brass Band, the Atlantic Brass Band, and the ever-growing NABBA, this new ensemble will provide Northern NJ communities (and beyond through CDs & DVDs) with their own creamy* resource for Christmas and Summer concerts.

Please do two things:
1. Answer the five questions in this initial survey, and
2. Encourage as many musicians, community supporters and volunteers as you can to complete the survey, whether or not they live in NJ! You can forward this email, or post the link below in a blog or on Facebook!

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2l1cq9rfzyd22y0/start

Thank you. With sufficient people also excited about this tremendous opportunity, it will not be long before we are able to form, fund and furnish a heart-warming band that many local communities can utilize for a great many reasons!

Please ALSO forward this post to all brass & percussion players, teachers & students in your realm of influence.

Here's a video compilation of a few British-style Brass Bands performing in the Netherlands in 2005:


*as described by Christopher Swann.

Amateur Excellence

I've often been chastized by close friends and colleagues for being a perfectionist, and I've stopped referring to my musical experiences in the UK because they have caused resentment and responses along the lines of: "we're not good enough for you", or "of course the British are so much better than everyone else", or even "you really are mightier than thou." Serious Ouchness. (anyone who can claim to know me well knows how much this hurts).

So rather than share my stories and offer reasons why I like things to be done with our best possible efforts, I just do it. If the results are excellent, Great! If they're not, that's OK too. Yes, I compromise and justify it as 'survival' (!). It's also very interesting to witness so much trendy talk about 'excellence' without any backing commitment to it. I guess one needs to understand what excellence is before one can even attempt to achieve it!

So, I was pleased, VERY pleased to recently come across this article by Douglas Yeo, a US professional musician who witnessed first hand, the kind of musical environment I grew up in. His article has given me confidence and a little satisfaction that I'm OK - I'm alright. The things I worry about are worth worrying about, regardless of what friends & peers often say. Almost beaten to the ground, this article came at the right time to boost my spirits, and I truly look forward to maintaining the pursuit of excellence Douglas himself experienced.


This is one of the brass bands I played for in the UK, The Medway Band. At the back center is my dear friend Mark Andrew, and one of my ex-students, Richard Scarff is now playing for Aveley & Newham - another band I often played with. Good on ya, boys! Keep up the great playing...


I have often felt that the amateur brass band scene in the UK is one of the most intriguing outlets of self-expression that exists, and through it I learned much about dedication, hard work, loyalty, EXCELLENCE, team-work, reliability, presentation, my role amongst others, and society: although fierce enemies on the competition stage, players from different bands will drink beer and laugh together with players from many other bands (usually about conductors, I might add) but all are welcome! The real kick in the teeth? These players engage in these qualities by choice. For Free. At their own will. They're not paid, forced by gov't, or have nothing else to do. Remarkable, endearing, and very convincing.

It's ironic that as I make contacts in the USA brass band world, Doug's name came up as a potential resource! Timing is everything, and I am still convinced nothing is coincidental.

Go on, be a daredevil: don't settle for anything less from yourself. You can accomplish amazing things with the right guidance, so give up any self-centered-ness, and allow perfection to shine through you.