national brass band club . first I must express my thanks for the Christmas cards , calendars , diaries etc , sent to me by well-wishers throughout the brass band movement . those thoughts are greatly appreciated , and I would like this to serve as my grateful acknowledgement , as it is impossible for me to write to everyone individually . may you all have a very happy , prosperous , and successful new year in the cause of brass banding . on Monday December 19 , I was honoured to welcome the arrival in this country of Mr Herbert Hazelman of the American bandmasters association , and leader of the Greensboro high School band , North Carolina . he came over on a fleeting visit to study British brass bands and their methods . at the invitation of Harry Mortimer I took him along to the B.B.C studios where he spent several hours listening to recordings of some of our top brass bands , and to say he was amazed at the tone and execution is putting it mildly . he admitted that what he heard was far in advance of anything they had in America . they have no brass bands of our instrumentation in America . nearly all their bands , and they have a great many , are brass and wood-wind . even their brass instruments are entirely different to ours , and as he puts it himself , being American , they have to have everything larger than anybody else , thus , larger instruments with larger bores . their musical education , however , is far in advance of anything we have here . music is a compulsory subject in schools and is paid for through the taxpayer . there appears to be much we can learn from each other . he attended an executive meeting of the club in the evening , which had been specially put back a week for his benefit , and was delighted to make the acquaintance of the members at a well-attended meeting , to whom he gave a most absorbing and interesting r&amp;eacute;sum&amp;eacute; of the methods and activities of American bands , particularly school bands . he hopes to bring his band over to this country in the near future so that brass bandsmen may have the opportunity of hearing and studying their style of playing . Dr Denis Wright entertained him on the following day Tuesday for a further session on brass bands . we hope to hear more of this meeting between our two countries . we are indebted to Mr Gurney Doe , Secretary of the national association of brass band conductors , who was instrumental in bringing to our notice the proposed visit of Mr Hazelman which enabled us to make direct contact with him as far back as last September . have you made your new year &apos;s resolution yet ? if you are not a member of the national brass band club , we hope that one of your resolutions will be to join our ranks , and so help us in furthering the welfare of brass bands , as well as deriving some benefits for yourself . remember that the club is a member of the national music council of Great Britain and is also affiliated to the standing conference of amateur music . for particulars of membership write to our membership secretary , Mr H Hoole , 9 Kingston House East , Princes Gate , London , S.W.7 . A J Molinari , Hon general secretary . our district correspondents write - northern . by Semper Idem . recently , I received an invitation to attend the annual dinner of cargo fleet band which , unfortunately , I was unable to accept . I understand they had a grand evening . as a band they are in good form and eager to improve on their splendid record . Crookhall Colliery band , our area champions by their win at the C.I.S.W.O contest , have definitely proved themselves the band of 1960 , for this district . after winning the D.H area contest for three successive years they struck a lean patch but have stormed back to the top . next to the champions I would choose Easington Colliery and Wallsend Shipyard . Easington , runners up in the D.H area contest and C.I.S.W.O and winners of the Durham league championships have an impressive record which was enhanced by winning 2nd place at Newcastle corporation contest for the 2nd successive year . Wallsend Shipyard who were 3rd in the D.H area won the May day contest at the City Hall and also the Newcastle corporation contest . another band with a fine record in 1960 is Cowpen and Crofton Colliery . they have an impressive array of prizes and will be welcome competitors in the championship section this year . I had the pleasure of attending South Shields S.A on the occasion of their Marshall festival . Newcastle Temple band and Sunderland Citadel songsters rendered some of Bandmaster Marshall &apos;s finest pieces . unfortunately , the acoustics of the very large hall rather marred the performances but on the whole there was some good playing and singing . the Temple band were well served by horns and trombones and I was very impressed with South Shields central band ( J Strike ) . small , but compact , they gave a nice rendering of the march , neath the flag . Captain Dean Goffin was the chairman . Yorkshire . by Daleswoman . congratulations to our two Yorkshire bands launching the B.B.C competition northern brass on Friday , January 6 . they set a very high standard and I am sure felt rather like a band who had drawn number one in any contest . it was a thrilling experience to be part of the studio audience on this occasion . a special word of congratulation for Yorkshire imperial metals band , ( Mr Harry Tomkins ) and Mr George Hespe their conductor . I am sure everyone will agree that their programme was full of entertainment value . 1961 is the 25th anniversary of the Yorkshire imperial metals band and I understand the occasion is to be celebrated on March 4 at the Griffin Hotel , Leeds . as this is the day following the band &apos;s appearance in the second round of the B.B.C competition it would be fitting if they could make it a double celebration . Mr Fred Spencer , the solo euphoniumist of Brighouse and Rastrick , has just completed twenty five years with the band . although still a very talented player , Mr Spencer has decided to relinquish his position in favour of the solo baritone . Mr Robert Davidson ( junior ) is to replace Mr Spencer . the A.G.M of Brighouse &amp; Rastrick band has been fixed for January 22 . Scotland . by Glenside . the last &apos;phone call I received in 1960 brought the distressing news of the passing of my dear old friend , Willie Macrae , late treasurer of the S.A.B.A and the Edinburgh charities band association , both of which he served for many years until his retirement four or five years ago . he was taken suddenly ill and passed away in Edinburgh royal Infirmary . he was 60 years of age . Willie was a prominent member of Gorebridge and Arniston band . there was a large attendance at the funeral , including the Hon President of the S.A.B.A . our deep sympathy goes to Mrs Macrae . I am informed that two members of Bowhill Colliery band ( horn and brass players ) have joined Barry , Ostlere &amp; Shepherds band . a fine programme of Scottish music was given on the radio by Clydebank Burgh band with Charles Telfer in command . this gave great pleasure to listeners in this part of the country . congratulations to Tony Clucas , cornet soloist , on his brilliant rendering of Allison &apos;s Caledonia . I agree with our editor when he asks for a deeper understanding of Christmas . do we ever give the idea a moment &apos;s thought ? goodwill should always be predominant , but why only at Christmas ? many take the sordid thought that Dicken &apos;s Christmas carol typifies Scroogelike attitude , while others go out just for merry-making and enjoyment , but to me the holy spirit of Christmas should be foremost in the minds of our band members . I am no kill-joy , but would love to see this period of the year treated with more reverence . I have had no news of the Scottish amateur music association course at Forfar during Christmas week . I understand that over 30 pupils attended and studied under Dr Denis Wright . I believe most of them hailed from Fifeshire . I have no doubt that under Dr Wright nothing but success could crown the effort . a golden opportunity is afforded all bands who will be competing at the four championship contests in the Usher Hall , Edinburgh , on February 25 , to replenish their repertoire of music . the bandsman &apos;s own stall will be there offering selections , marches etc and there will be special bargains on sale for that day . Miss Bantin will be there in person ready to give her friendly advice to all who care to take advantage of her visit to the Capitol . according to the rules of the British contesting council , Scottish C.W.S band , having won the championship three times in succession , will not be allowed to take part in the Usher Hall championship in February . this year there will be new Scottish champions who , along with S.C.W.S will represent our country at the London finals . it is hoped that the 2nd and 3rd prize winners will accompany these two bands . I note that most of the Kenneill Colliery band officials have been replaced and there is a new secretary in place of Mrs Kirkwood . I am sorry she has been displaced as she proved herself to be a model scribe . the new secretary is Mr Dean , 62 Avon Place , Bo&apos;ness , West Lothian . north Wales . by Celt . blwyddyn newydd dda I chwi I gyd ( happy new year to you all ) . Ifton silver were out on Christmas eve playing carols to a large audience at the miner &apos;s institute , St Martins , afterwards playing for dancing . on Christmas day they visited the last inn , Hengoed , and made a collection for the band fund . much credit for this effort goes to the Secretary , Mr Aubrey Pugh , who carried the bandsmen and instruments in relays in his own van to save the band &apos;s fund . it is due to his financial and untiring help that the band is continuing to function as they are not supported by any industrial firm . Deiniolen and district ( J E Williams ) played carols in their district during the week before Christmas . the band of 6/7th Batt R.W.F ( T.A ) conducted by W.O.1 J H Hughes , accompanied the carols when the surpliced choirs of Caernarvon joined them on the square on Christmas eve . the Rector of Caernarvon , Rev Canon J H Williams , introduced the hymns and carols . a collection was made for the Church of England blind fund . Llanwrug and district ( W T Davies ) were engaged for a concert at the memorial Hall , Rhosgadfan on December 29 . guest soloists were Miss Menna Pritchard , soprano , and Miss Megan Thomas , harp and Penillion . the band &apos;s soloists were Messrs Derek Lloyd Jones , O T Jones and Gwilym Roberts in a cornet trio , Mr Robert Hughes , euphonium solo , and the conductor played a tubular bell solo accompanied by the band , which was conducted by deputy-conductor O T Jones . the band have a series of concert engagements in the next few weeks . young Trevor Davies , who was seriously injured in January 1960 , is now home from hospital and back in his position with the band . Mr G H Griffiths , popular Secretary of Rhyl silver , was rushed to hospital on Friday before Christmas and is to remain lying very quietly for at least a month . before going into hospital Mr Griffiths has had a bad time during the last four or five years , and during the last two has done nothing but visit hospitals for consultations , etc . Mr Griffiths is very cheerful and praises the staff of the hospital . he would like to thank the several bandsmen up and down the country who have sent good wishes , and especially Mr &amp; Mrs Middleton , and Peter , of Brighouse for their kind wishes . young Peter is a playing member of Brighouse and Rastrick band . we all wish you better health in 1961 , Mr Griffiths , and hope you will soon be home again . if any bandsmen friends who would like to write to Mr G H Griffiths - and I know he will appreciate your letters - the address is : men &apos;s medical ward , H M Stanley Hospital , St Asaph , Flints . 