2006 Regional Championships - The Adjudicators
28-Feb-2006We don't know what the collective noun for a group of brass band judges are, but there is a whole lot of them in the boxes around the country over the coming weeks.
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. All bands want is consistency and forthright appraisals of their performance good or bad, and this year we hope all of the judges take the opportunity to tell them, and the audience what they really thought. One of the highlights of the Regional Championships last year was Derek Broadbents appraisal of performances he heard in the North East it was immensely satisfying to hear and greatly appreciated by the audience.
Not all the Regions have opted for the two in a box method a pity as it tends to make for more consistent adjudication, even when there are just a handful of bands to judge. Still, we think it is a move in the right direction.
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. They haven't taken on board Alan Morrison's excellent idea just yet, but there is time. They would work in the lower sections especially.
Still, we look forward to seeing and hearing what they have to say come the results around the country.
These are the men to impress then:
James Scott
One of the most respected figures in our movement and still one of the best judges of what a brass band should sound like. Can tell a top band from a duffer from two hundred yards and still has the keenest of ears. He is still wagging as well this time in Scotland so he takes the opportunity to sit in judgement at the toughest assignment of all the top section at Bradford.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire Championship Section
David Read
Our most experienced judge will be seen and heard around the country once more starting with Bradford where he will be in the box with James Scott. He also makes the trip to Wales where he will sit in isolation to hear the Championship Section bands and the Second Section.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire Championship Section
Wales Championship Section
Wales Second Section
Chris Wormald
Nice to see Chris Wormald in the box this year. A talented MD who brings a real sense of professionalism to everything he does.
Adjudicating at:
London and Southern Counties Second Section
London and Southern Counties Fourth Section
Yorkshire Second Section
Alan Fernie
Always a good idea to have the composer in the box now and again especially on a piece he has written. A very talented musician and someone who we are sure will be able to pick out the best from the rest on his piece or any other.
Adjudicating at:
North of England Second Section
North of England Fourth Section
Scotland Fourth Section
John Berryman
Always good to see John Berryman judging and this year he will bring his experience and sense of musicianship to the best bands in the North West. He has the experience and the knowledge so the band shouldn't complain at the outcome.
Adjudicating at:
North West Championship Section
Goff Richards
The composer of the First Section set work will find himself in the box for the Second Section at Blackpool. A good or bad thing? Doesn't matter really as Goff has judged at the highest level and knows any score backwards.
Adjudicating at:
North West Second Section
Alan Hope
One of the most experienced judges in the lower sections brings his talents to the Midlands this year, and he will have a busy weekend end what with the number of bands he will have to listen to. Always a man with something to say, and he usually says it well too.
Adjudicating at:
Midlands Third Section
Midlands Fourth Section
Peter Roberts
The great soprano player will be in the box just the once this year at the Midlands with his great friend Stan Lippeatt. A pity that, as he has a keen ear and strong opinions about what he likes. Perhaps when he ever decides to give up playing we might see more of him as a judge, although that could be a good while away yet judging by the way he is playing.
Adjudicating at:
Midlands Second Section
Barry Thompson
One of the most experienced judges at the lower sections and a man who quietly but effectively goes about his business. Knows what he likes and usually picks the best bands without too much trouble.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire Third Section
Denis Wilby
One of our most experienced men in the box, Denis Wilby will be a busy man this year bringing his keen ear to bear at the West of England, and Yorkshire.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire First Section
West of England Championship Section
West of England First Section
West of England Third Section
Geoffrey Whitham
As always it is a pleasure to see Geoffrey Whitham in the box once more. You can sure he will tell it as it is as well with a nice blend of humour but with a very keen ear to point out exactly why he has placed the bands as he has. He going to be one of the busier judges this year and will have a heavy work load in Torquay, but take the opportunity to catch him if you can.
Adjudicating at:
West of England Championship Section
West of England First Section
West of England Third Section
Midlands Third Section
Midlands Fourth 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 who try to make music - 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.
Adjudicating at:
North of England Championship Section
North West First Section
David Hirst
Another younger face in the box, but one with a great deal of experience both as a player, conductor and band trainer. He should enjoy himself at the Fourth Section in Yorkshire.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire Fourth Section
Stephen Roberts
A welcome return to the box for the composer/arranger/conductor/horn player and general excellent musician. He has done it all really and has strong views about his likes and dislikes in the box something that may cause a few eyebrows to be raised in places. We like that though.
Adjudicating at:
Scotland Championship Section
Scotland First Section
Raymond Tennant
One of the most experienced conductors and band trainers in Scotland, Raymond Tennant has a very keen ear and can pick out the good from the bad and ugly without too many problems. He should enjoy himself in the box with John Maines.
Adjudicating at:
Scotland 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 won't be able to kid with a bit of flannel. 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 and a forward looking intelligent thinker about the future of the judging process.
Adjudicating at:
Scotland Championship Section
Scotland First Section
West of England Second Section
West of England Fourth Section
Yorkshire Fourth Section
David Horsfield
An experienced judge now and one who quietly goes about his business wherever he goes. Has started to make a real mark at the highest level in recent times as well, but still one of the best lower section judges we have.
Adjudicating at:
Midlands Championship Section
Midlands First Section
London and Southern Counties First 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 he tends to get it right more often than not. Judges in both the top and bottom sections this year around the country.
Adjudicating at:
Midlands Championship Section
Midlands First Section
Wales First Section
Wales Fourth Section
Chris Houlding
A real welcome face in the box in Yorskhire with the very talented Mr Houlding conductor, arranger and generally fine player and musician lending his expert ear to the judging process in the Third Section. A fine musician this bloke and one who knows his banding onions for certain.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire - Third 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. Just the one assignment though this year a pity.
Adjudicating at:
Midlands Second 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. He should enjoy himself in Scotland.
Adjudicating at:
Scotland Second Section
Scotland Third Section
Roy Roe
Has been around a long time now and has judged at all levels from Championship to Fourth Section. Neat and tidy in his summing ups and points out the little bits and pieces that lots of MDs think they may have got away with.
Adjudicating at:
North West Third Section.
Nigel Seaman
Nice to see Wales using one of their most talented musicians in the box this year. A superb player, great band trainer and one of the very best readers of a score anywhere you could find.
Adjudicating at:
Wales Third Section
Steve Pritchard Jones
One of the real rising stars of the judging business. Someone who is also making a fine reputation as someone who can pick out the best bands on the day. Had the experience of working at the top level with David Read last year and that must have been a bit of a masterclass.
Adjudicating at:
West of England Second Section
West of England Fourth 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. He should do more.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire Second Section
North West Fourth Section
Colin Hardy
Returns this year after not having an assignment last time out. Has plenty of experience and has used it throughout the sections to good effect. Busy man this year though.
Adjudicating at:
Yorkshire First Section
London and Southern Counties Championship Section
London and Southern Counties Third Section
Scotland Second Section
Scotland Fourth 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 and knows exactly what it will take to make a mark in the prize list.
Adjudicating at:
North of England First Section
North of England Third Section
