The Test Piece
At the National Finals all bands in the section will play the same piece, this is known as a 'Set-Test Piece Contest'. Most of the larger contests follow a similar format. Pieces are a choosen by a 'test-piece committee' and they are announced prior to the contest. 'Sinfonietta in 3 movements' is the choosen set-test piece for the 3rd Section National Finals. The composer is a well-respected brass band composer - Gordon Langford.
Gordon Langford was born in Edgware in 1930 under the name 'Gordon Coleman'. Gordon was a student at the Royal Academy which led to an extensive musical career in the Royal Artillery, various jazz bands and more. Gordon Langford is very well known in the brass band world, not only for his orginal works but also as an arranger. Every band library will contain many examples of his music but his works are not just limited to brass bands. Mr Langford has also had much success writing for wind, military bands and orchestras. His music has been featured on my TV programs, particularly in the 1960's, in programs such as 'Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead' (starring the late, great Ronnie Barker), His Orchestrations have been popular in many americian movies including 'Superman II' and 'First Great Train Robbery'
Sinfonietta in 3 movements is an interesting choice for the National Finals with all the elements of a good test piece. The piece features the need for tight ensemble playing, particularly in the final movement. The second movement, with it's slow and lyrical playing will give the chance for the winning band to shine through
The piece has been used extensively in the world of contesting in the UK and beyond from the National Finals to own choice competitions. Sinfonietta was a popular choice in the 1980's where David King had his first conducting successes with Swinton Concert Brass. In 1983 The Tyldesley Band took top honours in the 3rd Section at the Pontins Championships. Sinfonietta was a popular choice in the 80's for Pontins as it was re-used shortly after in 1985 where this time the winners were Boarshurst B Band. In 1983 our friends over the Atlanic followed suite using Sinfonietta at the North American Brass Band Championships in the Championship Section won by Smoky Mountain British Brass Band. 1986 saw the piece feature again with Guildhall Junior Band at Pontins but in the Youth Section A. In the 1990's the piece was first used for the National Brass Band Championships (3rd Section) during 1996. The trophy was taken home by Yeovil Town Band. The piece has been popular since with use at the 1998 National Youth Brass Band Championships (won by St Helens Youth Band), the 1999 Netherlands Brass Band Championships (Division 4) (won by De Nije Bazn, Britsum), 2002 WBBA (Poole) (2nd Section) won by Phoenix Brass Crewkerne and more recently in 2005 at the Norweign Brass Band Championships where it was used as an Own Choice Piece by Manger Old Star Brass who took the runner up spot.
With a decade since the piece featured in the 3rd Section National Finals Gordon Langford's 'Sinfonietta in 3 Movements' will show it can stand the test of time and provide an excellent contest for the band's and audience alike.
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