The 2010 Lower Section National Finals sponsored by Geneva Instruments.
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Section 1
Saturday 25th September
Test Piece: 'Diversions on a Bass Theme' — George Lloyd
Commence: At the conclusion of Section 2
Adjudicators: David Lancaster and Kevin Wadsworth
Comments by Chris Thomas
The 2010 Lower Section National Finals sponsored by Geneva Instruments.
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Section 1
Saturday 25th September
Test Piece: 'Diversions on a Bass Theme' — George Lloyd
Commence: At the conclusion of Section 2
Adjudicators: David Lancaster and Kevin Wadsworth
4BR thoughts
A tough old contest this — with a piece that tested the bands from start to finish. The first half of the contest was a major disappointment but things improved dramatically after the break.
It's Friary Guildford for us, with the Scots of Bo'ness a hairsbreadth behind (and we mean a very small hair from the smallest short haired of animals in deed).
Bournemouth and Derwent should be in the mix with Freckleton and Barton Town for a top six finish or better. Our dark horse is Wansbeck.
1. Friary Guildford
2. Bo'ness & Carriden
3. Bournemouth
4. Derwent
5. Freckleton
6. Barton
Dark horse: Wansbecks Ashington
18. Wrexham Brass. Wayne Rushton, Wales
Safe opening is well led by bass line but elsewhere it isn't as good with missed entries and some nasty errors. It is finding it hard to gain a sense of forward momentum for us and the increasing error count is hurting their chances of making a real mark.
Improves and gains cohesion but this is too late — a pity as now they are playing with a sense of authority and musical style. Bold close rounds things off.
Overall: Too much of a mixed bag this to make any impression at the right end of the results table today. A bit of a missed chance as it had the potential for sure.
Star Player: Graham Taylor worked hard today to lead by a fine example.
17. Silk Brass, David Holling, North West
An opening of real presence bodes well and the direction from the middle is well controlled. Dynamic contrasts are heard and so too some considerable detail.
The lower band just get over excited when faced with the quaver runs and it rocks all over the place — a real pity as there was such good playing on show before this. Lacks finesse now — all a bit scrabbled in the search of excitement although the conclusion was soundly done.
Overall: Not quite the sum of its parts this — but the parts themselves were pretty good nonetheless.
Star Player: Andrew Ingleby on euph was a rock on which this performance was built.
16. Wansbeck Ashington Colliey, Stephen Malcolm, North of England
Opening lacks rhythmic precision and as a result it does take time to find its feet. Good dynamcis and lyrical flow, but it does lack cohesion in the ensemble at times.
There is a hint of over aggression in some lines that spoils the musical picture and not everything comes off. Its a question of cohesion — or lack of it that is the defining factor with this one. A spirited conclusion ends things well though.
Overall: Could well hold its own today, but more a midfield finisher we think for our money.
Star Player: Dick Stacey — special agent on the soprano!
15. Portishead Town, Ian Dickinson, West of England
Sensible tempo to start but it does rock occassionally. There is something of interest in this playing all the way through. This is good stuff and there is something persuasive about the musical approach.
Just loses momentum at times but there is a neat sense of style. It gets increasingly untidy as we come to a close that just lost its focus.
Overall: A musical one this, just losing its focus as it came into its last quarter. A pity as there was plenty to enjoy.
Star Player: Ruth Boyles on soprano did a very fine job for the band today — a very fine job indeed.
14. Bo'ness and Carriden, Steve Sykes, Scotland
There is a real sense of shape and line about this opening — darkly coloured and balanced too. One of the very few to captured the real mood of the msuic this. Just the odd moment of unease here and there, but the music flows from the middle right to the very edges.
A bit heavy in places but once again we hear such rich tonality. Little tuning issues but the drive towards the climax is so well managed. Lots to admire in this — lots indeed.
Overall: A possible contender this — darker hued than most today but that has an appeal — and it could be the same in the box.
Star Player: Hugh Foster on principal cornet led so well today.
13. Derwent Brass, Keith Leonard, Midlands
Good opening and there is real detail to be heard in a persuasive approach by the MD. There is a nice hint of restraint with this — neatly played with a flow of musicality.
Tuning just grates in the basses but there a fine deep sound on display and good dynamics too.Naet and tidy with a degree of self control that has been absent in too many today. Skillfully managed ending.
Overall: A quality one this — up there with the best today and close to the top perhaps? Highly enjoyable stuff.
Star Player: Dai Roberts on sop — well played boyo bach!
12. Bournemouth Concert Brass, Captain Dave Barringer, West of England
Taut opening has good dynamic contrasts and the changing moods are effective with a front row of real solidity. The music making is top notch stuff with neat trombones and some lovely shaping of even the smallest of phrases.
Basses get stuck in the mud in quaver runs but it recovers so well. Spoke too soon — its gone all a little wizz, bang, fizz and the control is lost. Recovers its poise to return to a majestic close though.
Overall: A performance of real excitement and some passion — just losing its head in a couple of places. It was some ride though and should be well in the mix today.
Star Player: The unknown soldier on bass trom was a top performer today. Bravo Sir!
11. Regent Brass, Alan Duguid, London and Southern Counties
A tidy opening just lacks drive and purpose, but its clean and tidy nonetheless. It does need a bit more oomph though — lots more in fact as it now drags. Some lines are also dynamically misplaced too.
This is a bit of a trade off performance — slow but clean instead of driven but untidy. The method is obvious and calculated, but it is making this a real drag. Ending nearly comes to a full stop.
Overall: You could hear what the MD was trying to do, but perhaps over compensated. It needed more brio, but it might still cause a bit of a surprise.
Star Player: Euphonium Sean Whyte take a well deserved bow. Fine stuff Sir.
10. Barton Town, Richard Evans, North of England
A quality opening is precise and finely shaped. Not everything comes off but the desire to make music is so clearly defined. This is impressive stuff — broadly brushed stroked of course, but what colours.
MD takes risks with dynamics too — not everything comes off but the MD has shown that it is worth it. This is good music making with the lines given breadth and style. Classy ending too — with just that right hint of majesty.
Overall: A very fine one this — no doubt about it. Young Evans may have done it again.
Star Player: Richard Shaw on princiapl cornet was a very classy leader today.
Halfway point
9 bands down, 9 to go in what as been a disappointing contest so far. Are these bands that can master 'Carnival Romain' next year or 'Paganini'?
It's Friary and Freckleton who are a country mile ahead so far with two real quality performances. The rest are some way behind...
9. Pontardulais Town (Burns Pet Nutrition), Paul Jenkins, Wales
Tuning hurts the ear to start — strange that! It's a bit cracky in the cornet section too — not the greatest of starts. Improves and MD brings a nice feel to the music that has flow and shape.
The quiet playing is well handled bu the louder stuff gets a little wild. The error count is mounting even though they are little mistakes. Perc is wayawrd but it recovers its focus to end in a nice flourish.
Overall: Another very uneven one — at times pretty good, but too often it never quite caught the musical mood.
Star Player: James Mcloed on euph more than did his bit for the cause.
8. Egham, Gareth Green, London and Southern Counties
Lacks the clarity required to open and the general impression is one of lack of coherent ensemble. Perhaps they are taking their time to get used to the acoustic — it sounds clumsy.
Improves as we go along, but the sections of the band are not gelling together. Disappointing end to a disappointing performance this.
Overall: Summed up by the last sentence. A decent band not having the best of days. A bit of a puzzler.
Star Player: Andy Barrett on euph can hold his head up high today.
7. Lochgelly, Paul Drury, Scotland
Lochgelly gets a helping hand from the Friary flugel, but its still a scratchy opening that takes time to settle. This is not sounding composed and there are a few nasty moments on show.
MD is working hard here but the band is not responding and this is a real mish mash. It gains control but once again things go awry. A tired band makes it to the close in what has been a struggle.
Overall: A difficult one this for the band — it never settled from the world go.
Star Player: Solo horn Ruth Glen stood out amid some pretty avergae stuff around her.
6. Friary Guildford, Chris King, London and Southern Counties
Not quite perfect to start, but thereafter it is playing of quality — from solo lines and all ensemble. This is playing of confidence and precision and a lovely musical flow.
Detail is not over analytical and we hear a great set of troms. Style and poise and a feeling of control comes through. MD has this one in the palm of his hand. Great close is played with sense of majesty.
Overall: The best so far and a performance that could take a bit of beating.
Star Player: Princiapl cornet player Richard Straker was the pick of a very fine set of performers.
5. Oddfellows Brass, Robert Boulter, Midlands
Starts well but the question rises over the tempo — why the increase? Don't get this at all — its seems a risk. Saying that though it is well played but it just lacks that sense of poise required.
Gets a touch strident in places but we hear a fine sop and that pace is maintained. With the end in sight the band still has something left to press harder on the accelerator too.
Overall: Odd by name and odd by nature, but there was something impressive about this despite the very different take.
Star Player: Soprano player — nameless for us, but a tip top showing.
4. Meltham & Meltham Mills, Robin Morgan, Yorkshire
Well chosen tempo to open and the musical presentstion is good. Edgy troms and the precision isn't good in cornets — a pity. The momentum isn't always consistent and the main trom feature is hidden.
It recovers its poise but despite a decent finish this performance ended on a down beat note.
Overall: One that held promise to start but never quite managed to continue in the same vein.
Star Player: Chris Farrington on euph displayed a cool head and a fair amount of class.
3. Langley, Cliff Parker, Midlands
Good opening but it isn't as smooth as it should be — it sounds lumpy. The dynamic contasts are observed but it still sounds uneven and uncomfortable in cdertain areas.
This is an amalgam of unconnected ideas — nothing seems to work for us with raised dynamics and problems in exposed lines and ensemble. Remains scrappy despite the desire to find the music.
Overall: Not a consistent performance this — just too many errors and it didn't knit together.
Star Player: Percussion — the two ladies of Abbey Sillence and Margaret Perry held things together.
2. Freckleton, Paul Dalton, North West
Impressive opening with excellent rhythmic playing that has precision and a sense of authority. The playing maintains its momentum although some of the ensemble sounds lack focus.
Exposed lines are a tad scratchy, but the overall ensemble is so much better and this is fine stuff all the way to the end.
Overall: A performance that wasn't blemish free but had the hallmarks of quality that should stand it in good stead today.
Star Payer: Solo euphonium Patrick Howard was a classy performer today.
1. Hebden Bridge, Roy Curran, Yorkshire
Neat and tidy opening that sets off at pace. Unfortunately tempo rapidly slows. It is a bit scrappy and the detail gets lost. A bit nervy in the exposed entries but they have some style.
Sop finds it tough but and this preceeds some lose playing in quaver patterns. A bit tired in closing.
Overall: A shaky one that suffered from fluctuation in tempo and issues with precision.
Star Player: Eb tuba — Ian Coleman just the right mustard
Draw
