2005 Regional Championships - The adjudicators

4BR casts its eye over the men who will be using their experience to make the decisions this year around the country.

These are then men in the box this year at all eight Regional venues. No women this year (when was the last time a woman was in the box at a Regionals come to think of it?), but a pretty eclectic selection of the experienced, the new and the slightly different.

Nice to see some young faces and a few men who will also be conducting in many of the areas as well. Only two areas have gone out on a limb and gone for two in a box – Scotland and Yorkshire, whilst the rest have gone for the tried and tested of just the one.  It seems the ABBA has taken on board many suggestions of late about the way in which they go about their business, and they should be congratulated for that. The organisation is one that is certainly looking forward and not back now.

All bands want is consistency and forthright appraisals of their performance – good or bad, and this year there are plenty of those types of men who will say it as they hear it instead of making the tired old clichés of thanking everyone and saying everything on the day was fine and rosy.

There has been a move according to senior figures in ABBA towards rewarding the bands who get the basics of brass playing right – full, broad and balanced warm sounds, so lets hope that is seen in the decisions that these fellows make. 

These are the men to impress then:

Geoffrey Whitham

Nice to see Mr Whitham back in the box this year. Lots and lots of experience from the former Hammonds Sauce MD and euphonium star of yesteryear and a great line in humour to go with a very acute ear. Takes no prisoners and will say it as he hears it for certain – which in the North of England, Yorkshire and the North West  is just the way they like it. 

Adjudicating at:

North of England – Championship Section
North of England – First Section
Yorkshire – First Section
North West – Championship Section

Derek Broadbent

Another very experienced judge with plenty of clear and strong views about what he likes. Gives very precise indications to bands about their performances, but also a great deal of encouragement to those especially in the Lower Sections. Another acute ear for the basics being done right and not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the process – again, just as they come to expect in the North and Yorkshire.   

Adjudicating at:

North of England – Second Section
North of England – Fourth Section
Yorkshire – Third Section

Alan Morrison

One of the best younger generation adjudicators around. Full of musicianship, a real understanding of the music played and as a current performer, someone the MDs and players will not be able to pull the wool over his ears.  Gives encouragement where encouragement is due but also gives clear slaps on the wrists for those who haven't done their homework. A good choice to have to the box at any level.

Adjudicating at:

North of England – Third Section
Wales – First section
Wales – Third Section
Wales – Fourth Section

Nigel Boddice

The Scotsman gets the plumb tie of the round – at Yorkshire in the Championship Section, and it is a fine choice, for he brings with him no baggage to the contest (Yorkshire folk are as conspiratorial as any on earth) and is someone with a fine pedigree of brass history to call upon in making his decisions. Adjudicated at all levels in the past including the Europeans, so he shouldn't be fazed about St. George's Hall. Interesting to hear what he thinks then.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Championship Section

David Horsfield

A man with all the experience in the world at St. George's Hall – he played there on this piece with Brighouse way back in 1962, but a man who has forged a pretty good reputation as getting the results right over the years wherever he goes.  Will offer a perfect foil to Nigel Boddice in the cauldron that will be the Championship Section at Bradford and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say about the standard of the home grown talent here come results time.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Championship Section

Malcolm Brownbill

Fast becoming one of the most experienced judges at brass band contests at the highest level, Malcolm Brownbill has served a long apprenticeship and has now been rewarded with some of the plumb jobs at every level in the contesting scene. The bands like his approach and the detailed responses he makes both in writing and from the stage.  A busy man this year around the country, so well worth listening out for what he has to say before he appears at your region. 

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – First Section
Midlands -  Second Section
Midlands – Fourth Section
London and Southern Counties – Second Section
London and Southern Counties – Third Section

Duncan Beckley

Nice to see Duncan Beckley adjudicating this year, but we would like to see him used more regularly as he is a man with bags and bags of experience of knowing just what is required to make bands play well in the Lower Sections. This will mean he will know all the little tricks of the trade as well as all the basics needed to succeed – so you won't be able to pull the musical wool over his ears.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Second Section

John Roberts

Another welcome choice and someone who is starting to make a bit of a name for himself in the box. With all his recent experience in front of a number of bands at different levels he should bring an acute ear to proceedings in Yorkshire, and we hope this will be the start of a few more appearances in the years to come.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Second Section

Stan Lippeatt

Another man with strong, consistent and clear views about what he likes – something the bands appreciate when being judged. Also a man who is not afraid to ruffle a few feathers as well and does make it a policy to tell it as it is, rather than what others think it was. Given a couple of hard tasks this year, but ones which should be grateful for.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Third Section
London and Southern Counties – Fourth Section

John Maines

One of the up and coming faces of adjudicating – John Maines has been around a long time and has served a lengthy apprenticeship. Lots of playing experience at the highest level, and someone who gets to hear more than his fair share of bands week in week out. Is also playing this year which is a bonus and someone who knows his way around the intricacies of judging in the Lower Sections.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Fourth Section
West of England – First Section
West of England – Third Section

Derek Southcott

Not someone who springs up all that often in the box at major contests, but a welcome face nonetheless. Plenty of experience playing wise and teamed up with fellow trombonist John Maines for a stint in Yorkshire.

Adjudicating at:

Yorkshire – Fourth Section

Roy Roe

Roy Roe gets a couple of plumb ties this year in the box, and it will be interesting to hear his opinions on the playing at the Midlands and West of England where he will be judging the Championship Sections. Seen as a safe pair of hands in many quarters, he has been given two of the hardest areas to make his decisions in though as there are no real ‘star' bands in either to make life any easier. .

Adjudicating at:

Midlands – Championship Section
Midlands – First Section
West of England – Championship Section
West of England – Second Section

John Berryman

Always a delight to hear the opinions of John Berryman about brass band playing – especially as he has always been a man who played with such class and conducts with such distinction wherever he goes. He knows all about the basics and how to get them right at all levels, as well as making the most out of limited resources. Bands should listen to what he has to say - because it always makes sense.

Adjudicating at:

Midlands – Third Section
North West – First Section

Bryan Hurdley

A welcome return to the box for someone who has been a bit quiet of late – although that may have something to do with the fact that he globe trots all over the world.  One of the very best band trainers around his experience will be put to the test in the very large Fourth Section at Torquay.  Knows exactly what a bands needs to do though to make an impression though so, he will enjoy the experience we are sure. 

Adjudicating at:

West of England – Fourth Section

David Read

Our most experienced judge will be seen and heard at Scotland and London this year – two very diverse areas of banding. The man who sets the tone in adjudicating terms has been a voice of clear understanding now for many years – and his recent appeals for bands to play with a full, rich, warm  and balanced sound should not be ignored. He rewards those who take the intelligent risks, but penalises those who just go for effect – so a bit of thinking should go into the performances of bands who want to feature.  

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Championship Section
Scotland – First Section
Scotland – Fourth Section
London and Southern Counties – Championship Section
London and Southern Counties – First Section

Steve Pritchard – Jones

One of the real rising stars of the judging business, and a man who has made for himself a fine reputation as someone who can pick out the best bands on the day.  Nice to see him working at the Championship level with the most experienced judge at his side, David Read, and someone who we think bands could well see and hear more of in the future.

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Championship Section
Scotland – First Section

Ian Brownbill

If only he was less busy then bands would surely benefit more from having their performances judges by this fine musician. He has been seen at the highest level in the past few years and has impressed bands with his clear opinions and well though out adjudication remarks. Just the one appearance this year in Scotland, but hopefully more will follow.

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Second Section
Scotland – Fourth Section

Steve Bastable

A very interesting and welcome choice, as Mr Bastable is a young man who has really made a name for himself with the baton on the past few years. Strong opinions and clear thoughts on how he feels the music should be laid out; it is a good choice by the Scots to use someone with fresh ideas such as him in the box with another fine young musician, Ian Brownbill.

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Second Section

Allan Ramsey

Another newish face to the Regional Championship line up, Allan Ramsey is one of the most experienced conductors North of the Border and knows a great deal about the banding scene here. He is also someone with the experience gained from conducting at the Lower Sections throughout his career so he will know exactly what to look out for.

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Third Section 

Andrew Duncan

Continuing with their policy of getting current conductors and MDs to adjudicate at the Scottish Championships, this year Andrew Duncan will appear along side Allan Ramsey in the third Section. Another fine musician with clear and precise thoughts on music making, it is another welcome addition to the judging ranks this year.

Adjudicating at:

Scotland – Third Section

William Relton

One of the movements most experienced judges – the man who has seen it, heard it and judged on it at every major contest in the banding world, this year comes to Wales to cast his ears over the performances in the Principality. Knows exactly what he wants and what he likes, and invariably gets it right, it is also nice to see him looking at detail at the bands in the Third Section.

Adjudicating at:

Wales – Championship Section
Wales – Third Section

C. Brian Buckley

One of the most experienced judges and one who knows more than just about anyone else about the intricacies of the Lower Sections. He has judged just about everywhere at this level and knows exactly what it will take to make a mark in the prize list.  Just the one appearance though in the North West – which is a pity.

Adjudicating at:

North West – Second Section

Maurice Priestley

Another man who has specialised knowledge of the dark arts of how to win over a judge in the Lower Sections, Maurice Priestly will have the task of separating the bands in the Third Section in the North West.  Can't think of anyone better really to make sure that the job is done well.

Adjudicating at:

North West – Third Section 

Roy Sparkes

The final member of the trio of very experienced men in the box in the North West who will judging the bands in the Lower Sections. He has a full house from which to choose from, but his experience will ensure that he gets the choices right. Always a man with some clear and confidence boosting written remarks for the bands as well.

Adjudicating at:

North West - Fourth Section

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