Post by souter on Apr 1, 2006 8:27:49 GMT
From today 1/4/05 4BR
Bands back on prime time television!!
Frank Renton to host 'Best of Brass?' return as brass bands get set for audiences of millions.
For the first time in over 25 years, brass banding is set to gain national primetime television coverage following the news that a leading production company has confirmed that a new brass band television programme is set to hit our screens in October.
Provisionally entitled “Best of Brass?” it will be hosted by Frank Renton, who has been set the task to build a championship section brass band in just four weeks to enter and then win a national brass band contest by the end of the year.
Best of Brass?
"Frank will be allowed to hire and fire players as he feels fit in his bid to produce a band that is capable of winning a brass band contest at the very highest level in under one month"
~ 4BR
During the four week period, Frank will be allowed to hire and fire players as he feels fit in his bid to produce a band that is capable of winning a brass band contest at the very highest level in under one month. All of this will be played out on a Wednesday and Friday night at 9.00pm on prime time television with huge audiences expected to see the tears and tantrums, the egos and the egg all over players faces.
Amazing team of principals
An amazing team of principal players has already been signed up with Roger Webster to lead the cornets, David Thornton the euphoniums and baritones, Brett Baker the trombones, Lesley Howie the horns and Phil Green to head the bass section. A leading percussionist will be signed up in the near future.
3 hour rehearsals
They will all be subject to two 3 hour rehearsals each week in the run up to the contest. Television crews will follow each section and players in turn as they struggle with Frank Renton’s desire for success, before the audience will vote for the two weakest sections to go into Frank’s’ ‘Committee Room’ to be told which players from either section will get the boot live on television.
Frank Renton told 4BR: “This is one of the most important events to happen to the brass banding movement in the last 30 years or more. People will be able to see how a brass band is run and how it can perform when under the greatest pressure and with the desire to win at all costs. I can’t wait to start the hiring and firing of players – it will make Alan Sugar seem like a boy scout leader.”
Roger Webster
Meanwhile Roger Webster was unfazed by the prospect of his cornet section team having to face the music so to speak and the real prospect of being fired on live television. “This is a fantastic idea and can only be good for banding. Being put under this type of pressure of being fired or voted out of a band is something new to me.”
David Thornton
David Thornton also looked forward to putting his neck on the line too: “I can’t wait for the chance to take part. The audience will be able to see who is the best and who is not putting in the work, so all our reputations are at stake. The producers are giving each of us a make over to appeal to the audience too.”
Brett Baker
Brett Baker was in agreement too: “I want to make sure my section looks and plays the best, so I’m going on a fitness course as well as putting in two hours extra practice a night before the programme begins.”
Leslie Howie
Leslie Howie meanwhile looked forward to the coverage the programme will bring. “With the programme set to go out on prime time television it will mean a huge boost to the profiles of us all. Who will get booted out or who will stay will have us all on the edges of our seats at rehearsals. It’s going to be full of real brass band b*tchiness.”
Phil Green
Phil Green hoped that it would finally give the British public the chance to appreciate the tuba players in brass bands. “Tuba players don’t get much of a spotlight in bands but we have some superb characters who will certainly make a mark with the public with our humour, especially as most of us can’t play a run a minims without help.”
4BR has been informed that the producers are looking for potential players to join Roger, David and the rest of the section principals over the next few weeks.
Potential players required
Producer Avril Torte for the television company All-Pro Reality International Features told 4BR that this was the biggest opportunity for the brass band movement to make a mark on the national consciousness since the film Brassed Off. “This has taken a great deal of behind the scenes negotiations to get the programme to our screens. It is a mix of Alan Sugar and ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘The Weakest Link’ in that Frank will be able to sack the players he feels are not up to the grade, whilst we will hope the huge audience for the show will vote to keep their favourite playing star in the band.”
With the closing date for applications not set until after the National Finals, players can apply by e mail to:thisisacompleteaprilfool.com outlining their playing experience and a photo to see if they look good on television.
Bands back on prime time television!!
Frank Renton to host 'Best of Brass?' return as brass bands get set for audiences of millions.
For the first time in over 25 years, brass banding is set to gain national primetime television coverage following the news that a leading production company has confirmed that a new brass band television programme is set to hit our screens in October.
Provisionally entitled “Best of Brass?” it will be hosted by Frank Renton, who has been set the task to build a championship section brass band in just four weeks to enter and then win a national brass band contest by the end of the year.
Best of Brass?
"Frank will be allowed to hire and fire players as he feels fit in his bid to produce a band that is capable of winning a brass band contest at the very highest level in under one month"
~ 4BR
During the four week period, Frank will be allowed to hire and fire players as he feels fit in his bid to produce a band that is capable of winning a brass band contest at the very highest level in under one month. All of this will be played out on a Wednesday and Friday night at 9.00pm on prime time television with huge audiences expected to see the tears and tantrums, the egos and the egg all over players faces.
Amazing team of principals
An amazing team of principal players has already been signed up with Roger Webster to lead the cornets, David Thornton the euphoniums and baritones, Brett Baker the trombones, Lesley Howie the horns and Phil Green to head the bass section. A leading percussionist will be signed up in the near future.
3 hour rehearsals
They will all be subject to two 3 hour rehearsals each week in the run up to the contest. Television crews will follow each section and players in turn as they struggle with Frank Renton’s desire for success, before the audience will vote for the two weakest sections to go into Frank’s’ ‘Committee Room’ to be told which players from either section will get the boot live on television.
Frank Renton told 4BR: “This is one of the most important events to happen to the brass banding movement in the last 30 years or more. People will be able to see how a brass band is run and how it can perform when under the greatest pressure and with the desire to win at all costs. I can’t wait to start the hiring and firing of players – it will make Alan Sugar seem like a boy scout leader.”
Roger Webster
Meanwhile Roger Webster was unfazed by the prospect of his cornet section team having to face the music so to speak and the real prospect of being fired on live television. “This is a fantastic idea and can only be good for banding. Being put under this type of pressure of being fired or voted out of a band is something new to me.”
David Thornton
David Thornton also looked forward to putting his neck on the line too: “I can’t wait for the chance to take part. The audience will be able to see who is the best and who is not putting in the work, so all our reputations are at stake. The producers are giving each of us a make over to appeal to the audience too.”
Brett Baker
Brett Baker was in agreement too: “I want to make sure my section looks and plays the best, so I’m going on a fitness course as well as putting in two hours extra practice a night before the programme begins.”
Leslie Howie
Leslie Howie meanwhile looked forward to the coverage the programme will bring. “With the programme set to go out on prime time television it will mean a huge boost to the profiles of us all. Who will get booted out or who will stay will have us all on the edges of our seats at rehearsals. It’s going to be full of real brass band b*tchiness.”
Phil Green
Phil Green hoped that it would finally give the British public the chance to appreciate the tuba players in brass bands. “Tuba players don’t get much of a spotlight in bands but we have some superb characters who will certainly make a mark with the public with our humour, especially as most of us can’t play a run a minims without help.”
4BR has been informed that the producers are looking for potential players to join Roger, David and the rest of the section principals over the next few weeks.
Potential players required
Producer Avril Torte for the television company All-Pro Reality International Features told 4BR that this was the biggest opportunity for the brass band movement to make a mark on the national consciousness since the film Brassed Off. “This has taken a great deal of behind the scenes negotiations to get the programme to our screens. It is a mix of Alan Sugar and ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘The Weakest Link’ in that Frank will be able to sack the players he feels are not up to the grade, whilst we will hope the huge audience for the show will vote to keep their favourite playing star in the band.”
With the closing date for applications not set until after the National Finals, players can apply by e mail to:thisisacompleteaprilfool.com outlining their playing experience and a photo to see if they look good on television.
