by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 1875-1912

The Adjudicator

Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor recalls his experiences as a judge in the distrustful world of music festivals and brass band contests.

1901

Queen Victoria 1837-1901 to King Edward VII 1901-1910 to King George V 1910-1936

Introduction

‘Don’t you undertake that job at any price!’ was the advice given to composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor when he was first offered the role of judge at an eisteddfod. But he went, and never regretted it. He fell in love with Wales, and was much in demand ever after for choir festivals and brass band competitions across England too. Even so, the work was not for the faint-hearted.

by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 1875-1912

AT one place there were three adjudicators, and on arriving at the hall we found three Punch-and-Judy-like erections set on poles. Into these we three poor men climbed by means of ladders, and then curtains were drawn closely round. As each choir finished a man mounted the ladder, poked his arm through the curtains, and took our folded lists of marks, which were added together on the platform.

But the brass band contest takes the palm. Everybody connected with one seems absolutely unable to trust the judge. I was once adjudicator at a brass band contest, and I had to stay in my room at the hotel, right away from the window, and judge the bands as they played in passing along the street.

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Précis

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who spent much of his time judging music competitions across the country, revealed that organisers would go to extreme lengths to ensure impartiality. One expected him to sit, curtained off, in a custom-made crow’s nest on stilts; another shut him in a hotel room while he listened to the brass bands passing unseen beneath his window.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

In what capacity did Coleridge-Taylor attend these musical contests?

Suggestion

As judge, picking winners and awarding prizes.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Coleridge-Taylor was invited to judge an eisteddfod. Dr Turpin warned him against it. Coleridge-Taylor accepted.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IAdvice. IIAsk. IIIIn spite of.

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