Test piece: The Torchbearer, Peter Graham
Adjudicators: David Read, David King, Derek Broadbent
Draw: 0830-0900hrs
Commences: 1000hrs

What do we think?

An interesting day of contesting that perhaps never quite caught light. Three big bands in the morning will surely be in the mix, with a couple of others who did themselves proud.

For us though it’s Foden’s by a nose from Cory with Black Dyke a length behind.

Rothwell delivered the goods and should deservedly get a qualification place, whilst Desford should get a mention too. The one band that played well above itself and may well get in the mix is EYMS for us – a great effort.

Dark horses? Redbridge will be pleased with their effort and if the judges are looking for something completely different then Hepworth may well find themselves getting a mention.

1. Foden's
2. Cory
3. Black Dyke
4. Rothwell
5. Desford
6. EYMS

Dark horse: Redbridge & Hepworth

Live comments:

Newstead Brass, Duncan Beckley, 20
Time: 1630hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Poor opening recovers its poise and substance. Var 1 is messy and ragged though, lacking precision and ensemble detail. Ends with decent tuba but pressured euph.

Vars 2-3:
Has the lyrical feel but not the execution in Var 2. Var 3 is better but excitement masks lack of detail and clarity of ensemble. Linking to Var 4 lacks relevance.

Var 4 – Reprise:
More lyrical intent just tarnished by errors. It hangs in there at times – 241 especially. Bravely recovered but it is sounding at its limit. Reprise is well paced but end is underwhelming.

Overall:
One of the many we are afraid that had too many inconsistencies in execution. This will surely cost them – it’s a question of how much?

Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts, 19
Time: c.1610hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Super opening is so compact and confident. Just gets ripe in places but it is in the right place and so secure. Ends with artisan tuba and artistic euph – brovo.

Vars 2-3:
More solid stuff – just in need of some warmth. Good quality stuff just gets a touch over aggressive in Var 3 but the execution is so confident. Tuning in link to Var 4 just grates.

Var 4 – Reprise:
A bit workmanlike but it’s so compact and with few noticeable unforced errors. 241 – comes and goes. Nearly a cracker solo cornet. Tremendous reprise and finale rounds off a real good one!

Overall:
So full of solid virtues this. Just lacking a touch of warmth in places but it was very polished and effective from start to finish. Could well find itself getting a real good mention.

Zone One, Richard Ward, 18
Time: 1553hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Decent opening is solid if a touch bland – it is safe though. Var 1 is scrappy but its there or thereabouts. Closes with artistic tuba and brave cadenza from euph.

Vars 2-3:
Broad and spacious Var 2 still has a nice flow even though not everything comes off. Var 3 is messy though despite the stylish drive and sense of purpose. Link to Var 4 so nearly works.

Var 4 – Reprise:
It’s all in it’s place this – a touch of emotion may help more but the solidity is to be admired. Not bad stuff but 241 – not quite. Cornet ends well and reprise has enough about it to make a mark.

Overall:
A bit bland and dare one say academic, but the execution was solid and there hasn’t been too many of those today.

Tredegar, Ian Porthouse, 17
Time: 1535hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Little clips take gloss off fine opening. More of the same – great sounds but it is clippy. The detail is evident. Solid tuba and decent euph to close.

Vars 2-3:
Lovely lyrical style promises much but we just get those little annoying clips. Var 3 is a cracker though – really razor sharp and fine linking section.

Var 4 – Reprise:
More quality but those clips do not go away. Brave dynamics and so stylish. 241 is nearly perfect. Super solo cornet to close. Reprise is so well shaped and musically so coherent. Huge ending works.

Overall:
Very nearly a corker, but the clips were annoying and costly. A most musical performance blighted by the errors.

Pemberton Old Wigan DW, Mark Bentham, 16
Time: 1515hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Blob to opening leads to nervousness and fragility. Improves and sensible tempo to Var 1 allows for clarity and detail. High clip count though. Closes with solid tuba and top quality euph – one of the best today.

Vars 2-3:
More good playing follows – helped by flowing tempo. Compact and confident this. Not quite top gear in Var 3 but it works. Neat link to Var 4.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Fine solo cornet leads so well. Not everything comes off but there’s much to admire. 241 especially. Well done solo cornet. Reprise to end just tired but it’s rounded off with some aplomb.

Overall:
One that has rather jumped out at us. There was plenty to enjoy in this one both musically and technically. Could surprise a few.

East Yorkshire Motor Services, Jason Katsikaris, 15
Time: 1455hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Beautiful opening bars succumb to nervous enthusiasm. Recovers well but Var 1 is ragged and lacking precise detail. Again it recovers form to close with stoic tuba and purposeful euph who plays with confidence.

Vars 2-3:
Now this is good stuff – just gets a tad ripe but it is played with emotion and clarity. Var 3 – not in the same ball park – exciting but so ragged. At last – a good link to Var 4.

Var 4 – Reprise:
More to enjoy with the stylish approach. 241 – nearly! — and solo cornet cadenza. Reprise is well handled and controlled to emotive if clippy end.

Overall:
An enjoyable rollercoaster of a performance this. The music always won out led by the MD, even if there was a high casualty rate in achieving it.

Flowers, Paul Holland, 14
Time: c,1440

Opening – Var 1:
Nervous opening takes time to settle in style and tuning. Improves – but the error count is high as the desire to blow overpowers style in Var 1. Closes with solid tuba and bravura euph.

Vars 2-3:
Good quality stuff on display now. Classy and defined with lyrical flow. Not so Var 3 – ragged if exciting with poor link to Var 4.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Lovely flow and style from solo cornet but the uneven approach from other lead lines is startling at times. 241 never comes off. Solo cornet is classy to close. Reprise is milked but effective.

Overall:
The strengths and weaknesses were so evident with this poor performance. Never quite the sum of its parts.

Fairey, Philip Chalk, 13
Time: 1420

Opening – Var 1:
Nasty blob heralds nervous opening that really does take time to settle. Var 1 is played with authentic swagger and classy precision. Ends with fine tuba and euph cadenzas.

Vars 2-3:
Lyrical passion is nicely realized but not without noticeable errors. It’s persuasive though and following variation has that swagger again despite some ragged playing. The link doesn’t quite come off before Var 4.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Lovely cornet lead finds support in other lead lines. 241 – nearly! This was very close to being spot on. Unlucky cornet and those little errors are now beginning to hurt. Reprise is handled well.

Overall:
Very nearly a cracker but the error count was high and nasty at times. A pity as there was much to admire with this one.

Camborne Town, Richard Evans, 12
Time: 1400hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Beautiful opening bars – the best of the day. Doesn’t quite stay at this level but it’s solid enough. Var 1 is a mess though – so ragged. Recovers to close with fine tuba and classy euph who really does turn it on.

Vars 2-3:
The music flows but devil plays havoc with the detail and leading lines. Not good at times this. Var 3 is varied too. Good and bad. It’s out of kilter this – nothing rally links well.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Back on track now and lyrical cornet. Gets strained and little things go missing at 241. Fragility continues. Reprise to close is bold but a little too late.

Overall:
One of the many today with too many inconsistencies in execution. The picture was compromised too often to make a telling impression.

Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Russell Gray, 11
Time: 1340hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Little blip to open but unfolds lyrically and with solidity. Var 1 is so ragged though – too fast for comfort. Recovers through stoic bass and purposeful euph to close.

Vars 2-3:
There are costly problems on show through Var 2 – far too many to ignore. Var 3 is edgy but exciting – it cried out for control too – it flies by. A bit of a nothing close.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Extended section of tip-top quality is tarnished by sloppy errors. Some of this was sublime – solo cornet cadenza for instance. Reprise mirrors the performance as a whole. So uneven.

Overall:
A performance of real highs and lows this. The lack of overall consistency will surely cost dearly today. It had the potential but not the execution.

At the halfway point

There is a break at the moment but the contest may already be over. Three top bands have played and played well, but we think it could be Foden’s so far by a hairsbreadth from Cory and then Dyke.

Plenty more to come though, but it’s a close three way call between this trio.

For us though:
1. Fodens
2. Cory
3. Black Dyke
4. Desford
5. Co-op Funeralcare
6. Redbridge

Hepworth (Cookson Homes), Frank Renton, 10
Time: c. 1300

Opening – Var 1:
Some fragile moments to open but it recovers with a lively flowing poise. Spacious Var 1 has detail and clarity that impresses, but the tuba and euph cadenzas although well played lose all momentum.

Vars 2-3:
Very individual style this – milked to high heaven for the best part. A risky approach? It nearly stops by the close. Var 3 has verve and spirit, but we are hearing playing at tempo extremes here and an odd close.

Var 4 – Reprise:
More heart on sleeve stuff – well played but it’s cloying in sentimentality for us. Unlucky solo cornet – nearly perfect. Finale goes through the emotional wringer!

Overall:
A strange one this – so very individualistic in approach. Not to our taste but you never know in the box. Certainly sticks in the mind.

Fodens, Garry Cutt, 9
Time: 1238hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Lovely opening – subtlety and balanced. Var 1 has high tempo swagger and that real ping to the clarity. Cracking playing rounded off by fine tuba and bravura euph – showman playing.

Vars 2-3:
More subtlety – solos and ensemble. Played with real confidence rounded off by classy cornet. Var 3 is wickedly quick – a touch scrappy but the wow factor is there.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Beautiful cornet lead carries lyrical momentum to rest of the band which blossoms at 241. This really is lovely – again by solo cornet. Reprise is glorious – warm and cultured right to the close.

Overall:
Such a classy performance played with such appreciation of the Ball elements from MD and players alike. Fantastic. The leader for us! Could Cutt finally have won the Nationals?

Kirkintilloch, Selmer Simonsen, 8
Time: 1220hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Poor opening bars really do grate but it recovers led by super horn. High tempo Var 1 is full of excitement but is scrappy, lacking clarity of detail. Artisan tuba and euph cadenza close.

Vars 2-3:
Effective stuff in Var 2 edges towards the overwrought and finishes slackly. Var 3 is high octane playing – splendidly exciting.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Lovely lyrical solo cornet lead but tacky ensemble robs the subtle shaping. Bravo solo cornet – classy. The remainder tails off with little consequence for us however.

Overall:
A performance that never quite managed to become the sum of its parts. Riddled with inconsistencies of execution that will surely condemn it to a mid-table finish.

Desford Colliery, James Gourlay, 7
Time: 1200hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Poor opening few bars but it recovers with a classy poise. There is a swagger in the Wayfarer Var 1 despite the unforced errors. Closes with solid tuba and euph cadenzas.

Vars 2-3:
It’s so lyrically inspired but at times strained in execution. Little moments catch the ear with their subtlety but so too the nasty clips as well. Var 3 is a little red raw in places. Sloppy close to movement.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Classy this from solo cornet and band follow suit. Beautifully realised through 241. Unlucky solo cornet – nearly perfect. Super reprise and close though.

Overall:
A high class performance of musical intelligence just blighted by a high clip count that pockmarked the subtle musical patina created by the MD.

Cory, Dr. Robert Childs, 6
Time: 1140hrs

Opening – Var 1:
A tiny hint of fragility to open but it recovers with classy delivery and style. It’s so precise and detailed this and at speed. Classy tuba leads to showcase euph (10 seconds top Eb).

Vars 2-3:
Passionate style in Var 2 is so well shaped and delivered. Var 3 has trademark ensemble, detail and clarity of execution at breakneck speed. Just untidy in final link passage.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Rep lead is very persuasive and this section is so well crafted by soloists and ensemble. True ensemble at 241 too. Solo cornet – nearly perfect but reprise has such a stamp of class. Awesome ending.

Overall:
Will take some beating this. Just the merest moments of fragility but the overall picture was at times stunningly realised.

Black Dyke, Dr. Nicholas Childs, 5
Time: 1117hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Super opening but sop remains muted – clearly not marked and very obvious. It is so clear and precise though. Razor sharp delivery this rounded off by classy tuba and euph (although not quite perfect).

Vars 2-3:
More luscious lyrical playing but the little clips are noticeable – superb solo cornet ending. Var 3 is wickedly fast but precise and detailed. Just the blip or two to close though.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Beautiful cornet lead carries the momentum forward. Why the muted sop line at 241? It is so noticeable and takes the sheen off the sublime ensemble. Bravo solo cornet and leads to stunning ending.

Overall:
An outstanding performance but one with question marks about how the beautiful picture was painted. Has this left the door open?

Redbridge Brass, Jeremy Wise, 4
Time: c.1100hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Pin-point opening has classy sheen despite odd clip. Stylish stuff at Var 1 – not always consistent but played with a touch of élan. Solid tuba and euph features.

Vars 2-3:
Strains at the edges but there is a persuasive shape to the music in Var 2. Var 3 is scrappy and ragged though – very scrappy in some quarters. A pity.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Lovely lyrical feel even if the execution has a matt finish. Fragile moments spoil a little and bland end is a touch underwhelming.

Overall:
A performance that understood the Ball intentions but just lost that initial sheen of real class in execution. Not bad though.

Reg Vardy, Stephen Roberts, 3
Time: c.1040hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Not together to open and it takes time to settle this. The lack of ensemble precision is so obvious despite stylish intent. Fine tuba and bravura euph – another great top Eb – but fly by ending.

Vars 2-3:
A little non descript this – it lacks a touch of emotion and subtlety (bass trom!). Var 3 is a mess – the excitement is raw and has little definition.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Good and bad. Fine solo cornet lead but ensemble is ragged and fragile. Reprise is more of the same right to the end.

Overall:
One of many today we suspect with a miscellany of inconsistencies and missed opportunities. The stamp of a midfield finish.

Northop, Thomas Wyss, 2
Time: 1020hrs

Opening – Var 1:
Blob opening creates unwanted tension throughout first section. Recovers but it’s messy and not balanced in ensemble. Well done tuba and bravo euph – a real lung burster top Eb – but why the speedy exit?

Vars 2-3:
Var 2 has its moments but is fragile. Var 3 is scrappy but exciting. In need of more detailed definition for us.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Tasteful cornet leads lyrical desired but dynamics are approximate and this is fragile. Bravo solo cornet in cadenza. Reprise is tired and inconsistent to close.

Overall:
Decent effort but the ensemble and solo fragilities will cost dearly today we think.

Co-operative Funeralcare, Michael Fowles, 1

Opening – Var 1:
Fine start is solid and confident. Leads to more good playing too. A touch messy in quicker passages but euph does well and tuba in exposed motifs.

Vars 2-3:
More solidity in Var 2 but Var 3 is messy if exciting – just a touch too pacey perhaps. Untidy leads to Var 4.

Var 4 – Reprise:
Classy solo cornet gives fine lead as does euph and flugel. Brave dynamics too with top notch solo cornet cadenza. Just tires in the reprise with noticeable clips.

Overall:
A quality one to start – solid and confident – just tarnished by some noticeable clips.