Sunday 16th November
Commenced 9.30am
Adjudicators:
Professor David King, Stephen Roberts (Music)
Andrew Berryman, David Horsfield (Entertainment)
Ian Bousfield (Soloist)
What do we think?
An enjoyable day that varied in standard from start to finish.
Thankfully there was innovation but some still hold on to the distant past.
We could be in for a surprise today with a top three battle between Grimethorpe Colliery, Cory and Whitburn and any one of these three could win and deserve it.
Brighouse and Rastrick, Fairey and Stavanger make up the top 6 after that it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
1. Grimethorpe Colliery (By a hair's breadth from)
2. Whitburn
3. Cory
4. Brighouse and Rastrick
5. Fairey
6. Stavanger
Live comments:
18.00hrs — Draw 12
Desford
Conductor — Nigel Seaman
Saints Fantasy (Trad arr Leigh Baker)
Comedy Tonight (Sondheim arr Sandy Smith
Blessed Assurance (S. Bulla arr Armstrong)
Flugel Soloist — Brian Winter
Arrive Derchi Roma (Reinatto Pascel arr Sandy Smith)
On Bosworth Field (Leigh Baker)
Show Me the Way to Go Home (Irving King arr Sandy Smith)
Comments:
A touch of New Orleans comes to Brum, despite the Black Country singing accents!
Roman comedy night is old as the Coliseum but brushed up nicely, whilst the ‘Assurance’ comes in both flugel and piccolo plans from a bravura soloist.
Roma humour scrapes the bottom the deepest barrel imaginable — the pratt prize winner by a mile! Great old English finisher but humourous ending leaves everyone flat.
Overall:
A real dolly mixture bag this — some great, some old, some average, some embarrassing in turns. Interesting but not always for the right reasons!
17.30hrs — Draw 11
Reg Vardy
Conductor — Allan Ramsay
Hallelujah Parade (Kevin Norbury)
I Bring Thee All — 2nd movement of the Suite To the Chief Musician (Himes)
Charivari (arr John Iveson)
Cornet Soloist – Jim Hayes
Able (William Turkington)
Dies Irae
Comments:
An effective if rather familiar opener is well presented, and it leads into an excellent ensemble piece by Himes. Solo feature is exciting if all rather a little messy.
The ‘Able’ march is a little gem of its type. The Dies Irae from the Vedri ‘Requiem’ was more Dies O’Connor meets Alex Owen! — worthy but lacking in drama, colour and was overlong.
Overall:
Started well and it promised much, but fell away rather badly. It will find itself way off the pace today.
16.40hrs – Draw 10
Cory
Conductor — Dr Robert Childs
Enter the Galaxies (Paul Lovatt Cooper)
The Waltonian (JJ Richards arr Dominic Morrrel)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Louis Prima arr Dan Price)
Sunrise Over Blue Ridge (Dan Price)
The Hot Canary (Paul Nero arr Simon Wood)
Euphonium Soloist — David Childs
An American Tale (Dan Price)
Comments:
Typical PLC opener – all flash, fizz and very effective. It leads to a march which is full of technical flair and red hot pace. The Prima feature is a percussion showcase – from drums to barstools — so slickly played and presented this.
Such an effective sunrise leads to tweety pie on an acid pill, (man in canary suit should be given cyanide pill though! — this was not humourous) — fantastic soloist however. It didn’t seem a difficult finale?
Overall:
Good old U.S. of Wales. Theme and variations expertly played but it just fizzed out perhaps at the close.
15.55hrs – Draw 9
YBS
Conductor – Morgan Griffiths
Goldcrest (James Anderson)
A Time for Peace (Peter Graham)
Cornet Soloist — Iain Culross
Gopak (Khachaturian arr Antrobus)
76 Trombones (Wilson arr Eric Crees)
Sparkling Diamonds (Julie Styne & Leo Robi arr Sandy Smith)
Finale from Symphony No.5 (Shostakovich arr Morgan Griffiths & Richard Rock)
Comments:
Bright and brisk opener is slickly played and fun. It leads to a very tasteful piece of slow melody work, however Gopak needs a touch more Lurpak to liven the pace.
76 Trombones is from 1876 in style and presentation. Unfortunately there a few paste diamonds on show in the jewellers but a bravura finisher rounds things off with nice contrasts.
Overall:
A very traditional and conservative programme that seemed so dated today even though decently played. It will be way off the pace we think.
15.10hrs – Draw 8
Leyland
Conductor — Jason Katiskaris
The Dreaded Groove & Hook (Simon Dobson)
Punchinello (William Rimmer)
It’s a Lovely Day Tomorrow (arr Snell)
Elves Dance (David Popper arr Andrew Duncan)
Baritone Soloist — Katrina Marzella
Aint No Mountain High Enough (Ashford & Simpson arr Andrew Duncan)
Psalm of Praise (James Curnow)
Comments:
A slick and different opener is innovative even if it is on familiar ground today. March doesn’t fall into the swagger trap and the Gershwin is a lovely interlude.
Elvish mischief is lost in acoustic – with only occasional moments of Marzella magic. Mountain may be high but not of Everset musical proportions. A worthy if slightly unspectacular close.
Overall:
Never lived up to its early potential. Good playing throughout but no real moments of musical sparkle.
14.30hrs – Draw 7
Grimethorpe Colliery
Conductor — Michael J Garasi
Fanfare for Rocky (Bill Conti arr C. Sharp)
Sing, Sang, Sung (G Goodwin arr R Mizell)
The Prayer (Carol Bayee Sager & D Frost arr MJ Garasi)
Rolling Thunder (H Fillmore arr Gail Robertson)
McArthur Park (J Webb arr A Catherall)
Comments:
Adrian!!! The Rock rocks – even with the MD in boxing gloves. Louis Prima is so classy and truly swings. Dazzling stuff this – sparkling as the MD’s million dollar smile.
A subtle and tasteful prayer is delivered with aplomb and a thunderous march is whipped though with manic brilliance. An old classic rounds off a truly powerhouse programme.
Overall:
A Transatlantic tour-de-force. Nothing really innovative but an ensemble stamp of sheer class led by P.T. Barnum himself. The star spangled banner is flying in Barnsley!
13.50hrs – Draw 6
Brighouse and Rastrick
Conductor — Alan Morrison
Music for Epcot — Chaos from Reflection of Earth (Greenway arr Leigh Baker)
Jean de Florette (JC Petit arr Leigh Baker)
Euphonium Soloist — Michael Howley
The Thin Red Line (KJ Alford)
A Je Vous Dirai Maman (Mozart arr Leigh Baker)
The Lords Prayer and Main Titles from King of Kings by Rozsa arr Baker
Comments:
A wow factor opener is full of fireworks, and leads to the Stella inspired bit of solo work from Michael Howley which is just a tasty too. Super march percussively enhanced by the march team.
Twinkle, twinkle is such a star turn – this is classic B&R. So slick, funny and also fine music making. Finale is a powerhouse of controlled musicality.
Overall:
So polished this. So much quality about the presentation and the music – the balance between the two is just right. The only question mark is over MD’s all white suite – looks like Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)! This was so assured in every aspect.
Intermission
12.40hrs – Draw 5
Whitburn
Conductor: Steven Mead
Spain (Chick Corea arr Peter Meechan)
Song of the Birds (Traditional Catalan Carol arr Luc Vertommen)
Trombone Soloist — Alex Philip
Journeyman Jigs (Trad Scottish arr Peter Meechan)
Percussion feature
Innuendo (Queen arr Peter Meechan)
Faith (George Michael arr Philip Harper)
Flugel Soloist — Jim Chamberlin
Mansions of the Lord (Nick Glennie Smith arr Luc Vertommen)
Comments:
Cracking Iberian opener – slick , tight and stylish leads into a subtle and classy trombone solo, full of tasteful restraint.
Jiggery-pokery complete with dancing MD is full of spirit and leads to Queen inspired OTT showboating – Freddy would be proud! Lame humour spoils scrappy flugel item though. Finale is as Scottish as haggis, neaps and tatties – and tasty too, despite a bloke playing an octopus under his arm! (bagpipes)
Overall:
Impressive stuff this. The musical content was high class and the presentation well judged too.
The best Celtic invasion since Scotland beat England at Wembley and pulled down the goalposts.
11.55hrs – Draw 4
Fairey
Conductor: Philip Chalk
Chant (arr Phil Lawrence)
Thriller (arr Phil Lawrence)
A Close Walk with Thee (arr Bill Geldard)
Spike Jones `v` William Tell (arr Phil Lawrence)
Send in the Clowns (arr K. Bolton)
Flugel Soloist — Neil Hewson
Witches Sabbath (Berlioz arr Andrew Duncan)
Comments:
A dark witted start – very black humour in fact, leads to head turning Thriller – literally! A Closer Walk has real New Orleans swagger and William Tell is comically chaotic.
No need for visual clowning in flugel solo which wasn’t always secure. Humdinger finish – didn’t need the Paul Daniels trick though with the disappearing woman in the box (Clever though!).
Overall:
Real left field stuff. Inventive and original in thinking and execution. Heavy on the visuals and humour – perhaps over reliant at times when not needed.
An enjoyable if slightly lightweight programme slickly presented.
11.10hrs – Draw 3
Stavanger
Conductor: Allan Withington
Flamenco Theme (Traditional arr Robin Dewhurst)
Jabulani (Shabalala arr Robin Dewhurst)
Bass Trombone Soloist — Ingrid Rosenburg
Reflection (Robin Dewhurst)
Cornet Soloist — Eva Bortne
La Cumparsita (Gerardo Matos Rodriguez arr Robin Dewhurst)
Hunting Wabbits (Gordon Goodwin arr Robin Dewhurst)
Mambo To Go (Robin Dewhurst)
Comments:
Tremendous opener – so slickly played and choreographed. Hop to South Africa and a Bass Trom solo feature, with a sound as deep as a diamond mine – full of 24 carat gems.
Reflection has a few cracks in the mirror then ‘Strictly Come Tango’ is a corker. ‘Brucie’ would love it. A touch harum scarum in the ‘wabbits’ but great old bells and whistles mambo to finish.
Overall:
Yet more original thinking and innovation from the Norwegians, tightly polished and presented – a very modern take on the entertainment format. Too far? Hope not.
10.25hrs – Draw 2
Fodens
Conductor: Garry Cutt
Another Star (Stevie Wonder arr Andy Scott)
Eyes of a Child (Margareta Jalkeus arr Espen Westbye)
The Champions (George Wilcocks)
Salt of the Earth: 2nd Movement (Andy Scott)
Tuba Soloist — Les Neish
Gallop (Shostakovich arr Antrobus)
Finale from Symphony No 4 (Tchaikovsky arr Ashmore)
Comments:
A real eye popper and ear splitting opener. Glyn Williams is Stevie Wonder and his band complete with backing group and guitars! Great stuff, but balance and volume is OTT.
Superb quintet leads to a champion march. Tuba solo from Les Neish is sheer class. Gallop is more of a 100 metre sprint but finale is a tub-thumper of the old school, brilliantly played.
Overall:
Went for real extremes here – both ends of the musical spectrum, very innovative but with an eye on the traditional too.
The question mark is over the opener though, great idea but as balanced as Heather Mills McCartney on a unicycle.
09.30hrs — Draw 1
Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
Conductor: Sandy Smith
Fireball XL 5 Zero (G. Barry Gray arr Sandy Smith)
Russian Dance (Oscar Bohme arr Simon Kerwin)
Cornet Soloist — Robert Westacott
Sleep (Eric Whitacre arr Sandy Smith)
Strawberry Soup (Don Ellis arr Sandy Smith)
The Waltzing Cat (Leroy Anderson arr Sandy Smith)
Danza Orgiastica (Respighi arr Sandy Smith)
Comments:
Cracking start full of real fireball life. Leads into fine rendition of Russian Dance by Rob Westacott. Sleepy heads and projected images of snug home Holmfirth Village – it is atmospheric. The soup course is a little lumpy however!
Great musical cat but humour is as funny as being scragged by its claws. A cracking finish though full of colour and brio.
Overall:
A very well performed programme, inventive if not entirely successful in execution.
Lame humour was dated whilst the tour de force ending was excellent.
