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Fiona Bishop, who was appointed MD of the East Riding of Yorkshire Band in 2022 was successful in reaching the final of the 2023 BBCA conducting competition. To enter Fiona submitted a 10-minute video of herself conducting the East Riding of Yorkshire Band in a James Bond piece, David of the White Rock and The Cossack. The BBCA Exec selection panel chose her to be one of 12 semi-finalists invited to Eccles Town Hall on 17th June 2023. In the semi-final Fiona displayed her conducting prowess rehearsing and conducting the Hammonds Band. Entrants were given a section from either ‘The World Rejoicing’ by Edward Gregson, or ‘Sounds’ by John Golland in which to impress the judges for 15 minutes. Judges Paul Holland and Mareika Gray gave individual feedback to all those taking part and announced the top 6 who would go through to the final later in the day, which included Fiona. A draw took place to see which piece she would be rehearsing and conducting in the final and Fiona was given the Finale from Eric Cree’s arrangement of ‘Suite from West Side Story’. She had 15 minutes to rehearse this with the Eccles Borough Band, and later went on to conduct them whilst being adjudicated in the Gala Concert. Here she relates how invaluable the experience has been and tells you to 'Just go for it! You've still got chance to enter the BBCA's conducting competition, so enter today or email bbca@bbe.org.uk for more information.
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