Klarinet Archive - Posting 000836.txt from 1995/05

From: Luuk van Buul <vanbuul@-----.NL>
Subj: Re: The "Best" Bands
Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 07:07:10 -0400

Laura R Bornhoeft wrote on May, 29:
>
> Concerning Luuk van Buul's latest posting:
>
> I've been curious about a couple of things concerning concert/symphonic
> bands:
> (1) I'm not very well connected as far as names go -- the Phillips band
> doesn't ring a bell -- is it a professional band? Are there many
> non-military professional bands in the U.S., and can someone tell me a
> little about them?

I don't know about the U.S. because the Philips (yes, with one l) Symphonic Band
is based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Originally it consisted of employees of
the Philips Electronics Company. About twenty years ago membership became open
for everyone good enough. When you want to join and there is a vacancy you have
to do an audition first. Our directors (two) are professionals; the (about 80)
musicians in the orchestra are good amateurs (some music students also). Our
first director happens to be the director of the Dutch Royal Military Band
(which is a professional concert band, of course, now on tour in Canada).
We have rehearsal twice a week and about thirty 'activities' a year. This is
considered a lot for amateurs.
'Activities' range from marching at sport events or playing at receptions of the
Management of Philips Electronics to full sized evening concerts.
In March this year we played (and won the first prize) at the International
Competition for Light Music in Sankt Gallen (Switzerland) with a twenty minute
piece in bigband style. Immediately thereafter (April) we did the world premiere
of the Carmina Burana in the approved arrangement for Concert Band with choirs
and soloists. The widow of Carl Orff visited this premiere and she was very
pleased with the arrangement and the performance.

In The Netherlands, especially in the south, are several amateur bands playing
at the European top level. Most orchestras are specialized in classical music
(from Overtures to Mahler Symphonies). However, there are not many who can play
light music as well as classical at the level of the Philips Symphonic Band. ;)

Greetings

Luuk van Buul

vanbuul@-----.nl