The repertoire available to brass bands is varied and plentiful; from arrangements of musicals to classics, and hymn tunes to marches; but the writing of a test piece for brass band contests is something quite different.

A test piece needs to include elements on which the skills of the musical director and each player can be assessed. It will often refer to a location or event and needs to tell some sort of story. The musical interpretation and overall performance will be marked, as will the band’s technical ability. By definition, it must difficult and challenging.

In 1980, the New Zealand Brass Band Association commissioned Gareth Wood to write such a piece for their championship contest and so Hinemoa was born, based upon a 300 year old Maori legend. The beautiful Hinemoa lives on the shores of Rotorua Lake with her family, but Tutanekai lives on Mokoia Island, 4 kilometres across the lake. Having fallen in love, they are kept apart by their families who disapprove of their relationship, so every evening he tells her of his love by playing his flute from his island home while she listens across the water. After hearing his serenades, she swims out to be with him and of course, they live happily ever after. Even today the legend lives on in New Zealand and traditional Maori weddings are often conducted on Mokoia Island.

Hinemoa was the chosen test piece performed by The Godalming Band at the Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association contest in Hove on April 6^th. Translated into music, the story is passed around the different instruments of the band and the plaintive call of Tutanekai is often heard from the solo cornet (David Sargeant), while the intensity of love comes from the beautiful flugel line, played with true feeling by Keith Rowling. Much of the music is ethereal and the listeners hear the water swirling around Hinemoa as she swims out to the island in the evening mist; this is portrayed by the euphonium section with a sextuplet running motif over the sonorous sounds of the bass section as they depict the dangers of the deep waters. The story of these young lovers is set against the turmoil of their families trying to keep them apart and the music is full of discordant and argumentative phrases. The traditional Maori tribal influence is then demonstrated by the addition of intensely dramatic percussion, somewhat reminiscent of a Hakka.

This 11minute masterpiece is rarely performed; not only because it calls for consummate control and direction from the conductor, but possibly because the entire piece appears to rest upon the skills of two percussionists as they battle against each other. Proficiency on timpani, bass drum, tom-tom are essential and an incredible accuracy of timing is paramount throughout. Two highly competent percussionists are needed and Godalming band boasts two such players, Tom Archer and Paul Taylor. From the opening and closing sections, mysteriously labelled Chorale, through to the internal workings of the piece, they seem to be at odds with all the other players but the effect is stunning when played well; and The Godalming Band played extremely well.

As it is celebrating its 70^th birthday this year, it is particularly fitting that the band were declared as winners of their section in this gruelling contest. They received a first for the test piece, a first for the conducting skills of David Wright and another first for their flugel horn soloist, Keith Rowling. To represent their town of Godalming is considered a privilege and they bring back their three cups with much deserved pride in their achievements. Well done!

Mike Alliston