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2003 Spring Brass Band Festival
Senior Cup:
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Saturday May 3rd
Pavilion - Draw 09:30hrs - Commence 10:30hrs
4BR Retrospective and Official Adjudicators
Remarks
It was predicted before the start of the contest
that this would not only be a difficult piece of music to play but
an exciting piece for both the players and the audience to enjoy.
In his remarks prior to the draw Steven Sykes speaking on behalf
of himself and Derek Broadbent commented that this was a piece for
good ensemble playing whilst good soloist expression was what the
piece called for and particularly what they would be listening for
throughout the day. In what turned out to be an absorbing contest
the nineteen participating bands all contributed to a most thrilling
day of music in which there were many good performances.
Band No 1 on stage was Kingdom Brass, conducted
by Archie Hutchison. This band had requested an early draw, and
although they set a pretty good standard of play, there was some
loose playing at times and it got a little rushed towards the end
and this let them down and thirteenth place was about right.
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 2 was BTM conducted by David Stowell. This
on the whole was a good band performance in which the music flowed
well. All the cadenza’s were generally well played although
towards the end of the piece some slight miss pitching in the bass
section and a lack of clarity in the upper cornets perhaps cost
them a place in the top 6. 7th place was again about right.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 3 Newstead Welfare were conducted by Duncan
Beckley. After a very good opening the band carried on with some
very good controlled playing although a few intonation problems
in the basses were noticeable. Generally the music flowed well but
the stance of the trombones towards the end slightly detracted from
the overall sound of the band - but this was a very good band performance
and fifth place was well deserved.
Best Soloist: Trombone
Band No 4 Aldbourne were conducted by Ian Holmes.
This was a band that after a decent opening seemed to lose its way
a little with quite a bit of uncertain playing although the general
band sound was good. Too many individual slips cost this band dear
and 17th place was the decision and we won’t disagree with..
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 5 Hepworth were conducted by Mark Bentham.
It was evident from the beginning that this band was on top of this
piece of music. The playing had conviction and excitement and was
very well controlled with some excellent playing from the bass section.
All the band soloists were on top form and produced a performance
even at this early stage that would take some beating. The audience
reaction to the performance spoke for itself. As it turned out the
band was awarded 3rd place and one we wholeheartedly agreed with.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 6 were Lindley conducted by Neil Jowett.
Again this was another very good musical performance with some very
good playing all round the band. Although there was one or two odd
clipped notes that could have slightly detracted from the performance
they were awarded 6th place - a fair result to us.
Best Soloist: Solo Cornet
Band No 7 were Pemberton Old Wigan conducted by
Gary Cutt. This performance although quite musical was spoilt with
far too many splits and much indecision in their general playing.
The band never really got to grips with the technicalities of the
music and although the general sound of the band was quite good
nineteenth place we could not argue with.
Best Soloist: Trombone
Band No 8 were Newtongrange conducted by Tony Swainson.
Again another performance that had many good moments and the band
had a nice good round sound. Although the cornets at times seemed
to be rushed and a little uncertainty around letter L the band overall
put up a good solid performance. Ninth place was the result from
the adjudicators and us.
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 9 were JAG Coventry conducted by David
Lea. This band performance had many fine moments and the band overall
had a very good sound, but we personally felt it lacked conviction
at times. The cadenza playing was good and the music generally did
flow but we did not feel that it was a top six performance and would
have placed them just outside. 2nd place though was the adjudicator’s
decision and good luck to them in the Grand Shield.
Best Soloist: Euphonium who also was voted best soloist of the day.
Well done.
Band No 10 were Woolley Pritchard conducted by
Wayne Ruston. This like some of the other performance promised much
and it had some nice musical moments but the playing got slightly
wild at times and tuning problems in the lower end of the band spoilt
what could have been a better performance. The band have been through
the mill a bit of late but we thought there were seeds for a bright
future. The back row in particular was perhaps the best of the day
and being placed 11th by the adjudicators was fair enough.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 11 were Staffordshire conducted by David
Maplestone. An uncertain opening that lacked clarity at times got
the band off to a less than convincing start. The playing slowly
recovered from this and at times produced some very good moments.
Overall the playing lacked conviction and 14th place was one they
should be happy with on this performance.
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 12 were Wingates conducted by Roy Curran.
After a good opening to the piece we felt the trombone soloist was
far too harsh and lacked musicality and we also felt that the cornet
playing lacked clarity at times, although there were some very good
bass sounds and the cadenzas were quite good. The playing was at
times very exciting and full of commitment. 8th place was the decision
although we felt 9/10 would have been our choice.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 13 were Laganvale conducted by Ernie Ruddock.
This band gave another performance that promised much but fell away
as the piece went on. The overall sound of the band was good and
it had some good musical moments. Playing 13th is unlucky for some
and it proved to be for this band on the day. The bands position
of 15th was about right.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 14 were Redbridge conducted by Melvin White.
This performance got off to a very good start with some fine playing
all around the band. The cadenzas were very well played and the
overall performance was one of quality, the music never getting
out of control and 4th place was fully deserved.
Best Soloist: Soprano
Band No 15 were United Co-op Crewe conducted by
Jef Sparkes. This was yet again another performance promising much
but again too many split notes and there was not enough clarity
in the cornet runs at letter F. The overall performance at times
lacked detail but nevertheless the band had a very good sound with
some decent cadenza playing and the ending of the piece had conviction
to it. 12th place was a little low for us but not a performance
to challenge the top 6.
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 16 were Camborne conducted Paul Murrell.
This performance to us was one which merited a much higher position
than the 16th place it was given. We felt it was an exciting performance
with good style and although at times the playing was slightly wild
and perhaps lacked in detail. Overall a performance we would have
had challenging the top 6 placings.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 17 were Rothwell Temperance conducted by
David Roberts. This was in our opinion a very worthy winner. Full
of good musical content and the playing had a purpose to it from
beginning to end. The Euphonium player had one or two uncertain
moments but this should not detract from his or the bands overall
performance which captured the mood of the music. A very good band
performance indeed. Well done and 1st Place.
Best Soloist: Flugel
Band No 18 were Ashton under Lyne conducted by
John Maines. Overall this was quite a musical performance but like
quite a few others that had gone before some of the playing lacked
clarity. We felt the Flugel solo although it had a nice style to
it the sound was a little bit forced and some of the accompaniments
were uncertain, nevertheless the overall band sound was quite good,
and 10th place was in our opinion a fair result.
Best Soloist: Euphonium
Band No 19 were Ratby Co-Operatives conducted by
Kevin J Steward. After a decent opening we felt the playing generally
fell away and a lot of intonation problems occurred. The Flugel
solo lacked conviction and some poor entries led to at times a quite
uncertain performance. The band sound was OK although some of the
playing was quite rushed. Not one of the bands better days. 18th
place was the best they could hope for on this performance.
Best Soloist Euphonium
Band No 16 on the programme Stalybridge Old was
a late withdrawal from the contest.
In his summing up of the days playing prior to the results being
announced Derek Broadbent speaking on behalf of himself and Steven
Sykes said it had been a tremendous piece to adjudicate and the
playing had been of a very high standard and they were happy with
their decision.
As for ourselves we felt the adjudicators had got the balance right
apart from one or two positions that rather surprised us. Both adjudicators
are very well respected and we bow to their superior knowledge.
As for us, the Rothwell performance was a good clear winner and
the six soloists of Hepworth Band were outstanding in a very tight
competitive contest. Well done to all the bands concerned.
As for our pre contest predictions we had two who finished in the
top six, Newstead Welfare and Redbridge but on the day in our pre
result prediction we managed to get five out the top six positions
disagreeing only with 2nd place.
The six promoted bands to the Grand Shield should go there with
confidence after what has been a really tremendous Senior Cup.
David Tinker
4BarsRest
83rd Spring Festival – Senior Cup
3rd May 2003 –Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby
Adjudicators Remarks
Rothwell Temperence
Draw 17 – Placing 1
Derek Broadbent
Opening has good conviction. Fine to [A] Stylish Euph and Cornets
well supported by all [B] Nicely contrasted and good balance VII
Again good balance – all detail is heard – just a loose
moment [C] Trom has good conviction with good accompts [D] All hangs
nicely together VV controlled and good build to [E] is made. Onwards
good detail and dynamics ensue. [F] neat and tidy – excellent
to [G] Good contrasting ensembles Quaver lines move with ease
PRESTO – convincing VX good tempo – stylish with fine
rhythm cresc. is first class [J] Effective 159 Bold playing full
of convincing – just a scratchy moment (little matter). [K]
nicely contrasted Basses have good balance 179 tastefully done [L]
So controlled and beautifully shaped Loosely ensemble noise to [M]
fine Euph just a ‘blip’ or two. CADENZA a pity about
the close [N] Lovely chordng – a fine sound to CAD1 first
class sop then. CAD2 Nicely shaped and controlled [O] Fine flugel
Solo nicely supported by all Sop excels [P] Lovely sounds and good
inner detail. Morendo to Allarg, so rich – effective –
Hard luck Sop. [Q] Detail all heard nothing overdone. Allarg. to
[S] nicely done and good full sound ensues – with excellent
detail to [T] - you lead to an exiting and committed close of a
performance with much merit.
A pity about the few little ‘blips’ – but most
enjoyable indeed.
Thank You Very Much.
Steve Sykes
Quite a solid start [A] ‘Theme’ presented well. [B]
flows (just a shade hesitant in b36 – but quickly recovers).
V2 mixes well. Trom solo suitably dramatic and well done. Good intro
[E] 81 – good sop. [F] well organised [G] 1st bar final quaver
not quite together. Quite smooth in melodic line and has good dynamic
expansion. V9 v. effective. [I] a sensible forte. [J] good perc.
159 – solid tempo and neat cornet group. [K] well phrased
1st x not so successful on repeat. Eb tuba sings well. [L] music
has super ‘pacc’ – semi quaver is exact [M] euph
has good tone – but not 100% secure (careful, also, not 9/8
the rhythm) 223 lovely duet. 226 again super [O] Lovely flugel (accomps
are super). Wonderful lead to [P] and dynamic at [P] really works.
Exc’ build at 255, 257 to 260 has good balance. 261 to 266
almost there sop. [Q] semis and glisses effective – long gliss
esp’ so. 299 sop is a hero! [R] electric [S] wide, expensive
sound and style [T] not a quaver detail heard. 337 – super!
Great conclusion.
Jaguar (Coventry)
Draw 9 – Placing 2
Derek Broadbent
Opening nicely controlled – good ensemble fine to [A] Euph
fine Cornets not quite as convincing [B] Nicely contrasted –
all is heard VII Effective and all is heard [C] Trom has good conviction
well supported by – much to commend [D] Some tuning spoils
the cornets but exact playing by all – fine to [E] tempo not
overdone and the Style is just right with a good build to [F] Links
just come off. [G] nicely contrasted – Cornets and Basses
as one - dynamics are well observed. PRESTO again good links –
and all goes well to VX – f yes! Clarity and style good. [J]
good percussion 159 Lacks a bit of clarity – but not conviction
[K] Basses nicely balanced – much to commend here –
179 Don’t lose the 2nd Eb Bass line. [L] nicely shaped all
in control – musically put together [M] Fine Euph –
first-class playing by all CAD So much time much enjoyed [N] Well
controlled lovely chording CAD1 Horn just makes it Bravo sop! CAD2
pity solo cornet just a blip [O] Tasteful flug – in control
– well supported by all – fine to [P] I do hear the
inner detail – lovely musical shapes – this is so well
throughout. Allag – just right - Controlled Sop makes it (just)
[Q] TTom a shade hurried – but you build well to [R] Neat
and tidy – all sits comfortably – Allarg. Fine to [S]
a lovely ensemble sound here and good inner detail/ [T] Gravis in
stature and you build to an exiting and convincing close.
Thank you very much for a performance of merit with much to commend.
Steve Sykes
Great intro and ‘Theme’ is well presented (careful
with crotchet acomps!)
V1 flows well V2 balances well [C] trom plays with drama –
super [D] precise [E] 1st ‘Alla Marcia’ of the day and
super sop. [F] well organised [G] just the smallest lapse in co-ordination
here. V9 links well. [I] great tempo – allows everything to
speak. Just the smallest ‘click’ from 159 – but
quite a solid presentation. [K] tubas paly with width (and are well
sorted for phrasing!) [L] very accurate placement of semiquavers.
[M] euph plays with style. 223 just the tiniest clip. 226 –
again not 100% secure. [O] Really lovely flugel (and muted accomps
are super) [P] really works at this dynamic. 249 super baritone
252 – careful Eb tuba. Great ‘Allargando’ and
Chording 257-260 exc. [Q] intonation Ebtuba/2nd Bari :- Ab/Db. Long
gliss q.effective [R] suitably chaotic! [S] has good width of sound
[T] quaver detail not all clear. 341 low brass final minim not quite
together imn initial attack- but a driving conclusion.
A very well directed performance and well sorted.
Hepworth
Draw 5 – Placing 3
Derek Broadbent
Opening could have been neater [A] all euph notes aren’t
heard – or cornets [B] Effective – Good detail. Confident
flugel VII 3rd cornets a bit scratchy – but all is heard[C]
trom has conviction nicely supported by all – effective to
[D] This is nicely put together – fine to VV and all is in
good style to [E] confident playing ensues [F] links nicely done
to [G] well contrasted here – just the odd ‘blip’
spoils PRESTO this could have been smoother VarX a good ensemble
sound nothing overdone [J] timp a shade loose 159 Cornet ensemble
effective well supported by all Bass a shade untidy before [K] –
onwards quite good balance 181 flows well [L] stylish. Troms could
be neater accomps get too heavy in their mp CADENZA Euph has time
– Thank you [N] spacious indeed as should be CAD1 Nicely negotiated
CAD2 (balance and tuning) – Bravo sop and cornet and flug.
[O] so musical fine flug. Well supported by all. [P] Controlled
I do hear the inner detail Much to commend in this playing. Flug.
A shade uncomfortable Bravo Sop. [Q] Good detail ensues and you
build well to [R] Exiting stuff – nothing really overdone
[S] Bold playing – a good full sound [T] Don’t lose
detail here You make a close of good conviction.
A performance which had much to offer and was much enjoyed spotless
but convincing.
Thank you very much indeed.
Steve Sykes
Dynamic expansions in cors b4+8 could be greater [A] Neat V2 a
little untidy in 3rd cor to start and repeat (isolated quavers in
accomp) not always together. [C] trom is dramatic and has well considered
dynamics V4 not tight on sfzp entries [E] neat [F] well organised
110 – could be smoother in cors. Presto links well [I] has
style (super t.troms) [J] timp lacks clarity. Just the odd ‘click’
in cors form 157 – (but why dim in final bar both times?)
168 early Bb tuba. [K] q. well phrased but balance not always true.
Eb tuba ‘sings’ well [L] quite exact in semiquaver placement
[M] wonderful euph and super style (masculine). B223 effective b226
super [O] wonderful flugel [P] moves well 255 super build here.
257 – chording not intact. Bravo sop [Q] a little untuneful
in low brass sustain chord. Long gliss q. effective 299 well done
sop. [R] has energy [S] has width of sound. Go for it perc! [T]
good build and very dramatic conclusion.
Redbridge
Draw 14 – Placing 4
Derek Broadbent
Compact opening solo corn.II not quite in tune [A] Confident euph
lines ably supported by all. Cornet also [B] flows well. Flug joins
in goos style – nicely put together VII a spot of tuning is
evident but the contrast and control is excellent [C] trom is bold
but not overdone pity about the ‘blip’ to close VIV
this could have been neater VV Good lower lines accel quite good
[E] some wildness spoils but I do hear the general detail [F] Stylish
comes off well [G] another good contrast quaver lines move well
with good balance VARIX well done VX a good f ensemble with good
style and rhythm- this is well throughout [J] Good perc. 159 I don’t
quite hear it all but there is much conviction [K[ lower lines nicely
balanced 179 well shaped fine to [L] In good style all goes well
to [M] Confident Euph – nicely supported by all. CAD well
shaped [N] A warm sound ensues to CAD1 Just a shade uncomfortable
CAD2 Excellent [O] Tasteful flug. soloist accomp nice. Lovely sop
to [P] (and fllug.) [P] I do hear the inner detail this is musical
indeed. Cresc. to morendo just right Allarg. fine! Lovely sounds
ensue Sop first class to close [R] Exiting stuff here forceful but
not overdone Build to [S] is powerful A good full sound ensues [T]
grows in stature and you make for a close of good conviction.
A performance of merit – not blemish free but much to commend
Thank you very much indeed.
Steve Sykes
Really neat to open (just the cor pause bars a little untuneful).
[A] ‘Theme’ quite well presented [B] flows well –2nd
x and is more secure than 1st x V2 well detailed [C] is flamboyant
(just the slight ‘clip’ towards the end) good intro
[E] but careful in b73 (also b81) [F] good fingers! [G] balanced
107 intonation low D’s but recovers V9 joins well [I] is neat
(could use a shade more T.Tom?) [J] good perc. 159- quite solid
in cornets [K] well phrased Eb tuba really ‘sings’ [L]
semi quavers just about fit [M] euph has super tone e.g. stylish
(careful not to drift into 9/8 though) super cadenza bars. 223/226
not 100% secure [O] flugel sings well (just allow a little more
time for the semiquavers) 239 lovely soprano 255 builds really well
261-266 great soprano [Q] semi/glisses effective – but long
sus notes not always tuneful. 285 – great long gliss –
but careful timp! 299 sop! [R] energetic. [S] has good width of
sound and moves forward well. [T] not all quaver detail heard. Snares
a little over the top at times. Big sound to conclude.
© 4BarsRest
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