INSTRUMENTS OF THE BAND

The cornet featured in our first newsletter, the basses in our second and now, in this our third newsletter, we bring you;

The Horns

The Flugel Horn

Pitched at B flat, the flugel is like a cornet but the instrument has a larger bore, so the sound produced is darker and more mellow. It is sometimes used for solo work. Its playable range is also lower than the cornet's, so it bridges the gap between the cornets and the tenor horns. There is only one flugel horn player in a band.

The Tenor Horn

This instrument is pitched at E flat. There are usually three horns in a brass band; solo (the highest part), first and second. The solo horn is often used as a secondary soloist instrument and bridges the gap between the cornets/flugel horn and the lower range instruments. The horns are mostly used for harmonies and other accompaniment but they can also provide interesting counter-melodies. Generally they bring a very sweet sound to the middle range of a brass band, attracting the nickname "ladies of the band". Although not widely used for solo work, the Tenor horn has been featured by a number of composers as the solo instrument.

The Baritone

The Baritone (Barry to band members) is the tenor horn's big brother. It is pitched at B flat and shares the same register as the Euphonium (more on this instrument in our next newsletter), though it has a narrower bore and a thinner sound. Some would say it is a much neglected instrument. There are few solos written for it and its chief use is providing inner parts and developing a full set of notes in chords.
There are usually two Baritones in a band, second baritone mostly providing a supportive accompaniment, whilst first baritone has often been described as the most technically demanding of all the parts of a brass band! The Baritone is only found in Brass Bands.

Leyburn Band has managed to take advantage of some very rare and special opportunities to buy various instruments which have come our way but we now have very little money in the instrument fund and we are desperate for replacement tenor horns. A good second-hand horn costs about £1,500. So, if anyone out there can help, please get in touch.

THE TOURNAMENT OF SONG

After problems with illness and snow, it was a great relief to see a full band at the Wensleydale Tournament of Song. Our mini concert started with a rousing rendition of "Army of the Nile”, followed by the haunting melody of "Concerto De Aranjuez" ("Orange Juice" as it is commonly called by Bras banders) This is from Rodrigo’s Guitar Concerto and was made popular with Brass bands in the film "Brassed Off”. We then played "The Best of Bond", featuring some well-known themes from the Bond films. Everyone enjoyed the evening and the Band was rewarded with some very positive comments from the Adjudicator and the award of The Mrs Stelling Cup.

Earlier in the evening the Band was represented in the duet class by Sandy Walker and Gilly Knowles. They came a very creditable equal second with 85 marks. In the Ensemble class, the Band entered four groups playing a wide variety of music. Two of the groups were awarded certificates of commendation. Overall we were very pleased with our performance and now we feel that Leyburn Band can no longer be called a "learner” band. The only way is up!