The 2010 Lower Section National Finals sponsored by Geneva Instruments.
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Fourth Section
Sunday 26th September
Test Piece: 'Royal Mile Suite' — Alan Fernie
Draw: 8.30am
Commence: 9.30am
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Jim Davies
Comments: Malcolm Wood
4BR thoughts
What a Scottish marathon. This was over 7 hours and we haven't had the result yet.
It was an enjoyable contest despite the fact that the piece was one that came out on top the vast majority of the time. Trying to get consistency over 4 movements was the key today and we think we had to wait until the very last band to get it.
Besses Boys for us closely followed by Market Rasen, Worsborough, Hazel Grove, Langholm and Downton making up the top six. Our dark horse is Upper Rhondda.
1. Besses Boys
2. Market Rasen
3. Worsborough
4. Hazel Grove
5. Langholm
6. Downton
Dork horse: Upper Rhondda
Band 20. Besses Boys, Jamie Holt, North West
Lots of quality on show.
So much to admire — Shaped so well by MD.
This is so musical — Really good show.
Overall: The best saved till last.
Star Player(s): The whole band (No analogy just on word — Quality)
Band 20. Trentham, Mike Caveney, Midlands
Lots to admire from the opening but things get unsettled as the music unfolds.
Cornet shines and the music speaks even though here are some uncomfortable moments.
A steady closing section allows quality to come through.
overall: A valiant performance but with some testing moments.
Solo Player: Solo Cornet — Tim Foxley (Like an fine scottish novel full of unique character)
Band 19. Downton, Roland Wright, West of England
Opening impresses but tuning problems creep in.
Has moments of strong playing contrasting with uncertainties.
The final section opens leisurely but powers to a good close.
Overall: An interesting performance that had a little of everything.
Star Player: Euphonium — Ben Bennett (A distinctive as a Scottish £20 Note!)
Band 18. Seindorf Crwbin, Michael Thorne, Wales
Good opening , tight and 'tasty'.
The gritty Scottish feel continues through the central figures.
A slow and forceful outer movement just has a hard edge but closes well.
Overall: Lots of promise but could get the adjudcators pens working later on!
Star player: Soprano Cornet — Bleddyn Roberts (Playing with that good strong 'tasty' haggis flavour than a mild welsh rarebit!)
Band 17. Worsbrough Brass, John Hodgkinson, Yorkshire
Bold and purposeful with full on dynamics.
Some nice style and detail carries the music forward but perhaps just a touch nervous.
Lots of quality hallmark the music to its fine close.
Overall: Good quality performance in places that may get rewarded.
Star player: Solo cornet — Amy Litherland (Played like a fine Edinburgh silver hallmark)
Band 16. Hatherleigh Silver Band, David Hayward, West of England
Decent opening but with big dynamic.
Careful and understated to continue.
Steady and efffective music both tempo and dynamically to close.
Overall: Promised plenty but the middle sections just may be the weak spot.
Star player: Euphonium — Cary Brock (As forthright as a Great Highland Bagpipe)
Band 15. Rushden Town, John Hudson, Midlands
Bold opening that pushed the dynamic.
It takes time to settle in the middle section.
Reach their best in an enjoyable final section.
Overall: The middle section may prove costly today.
Star Player: Solo Cornet — Peter Vine (As proud as Princes Street)
Band 14. Amersham, Paul Fisher, London and Southern Counties
Just takes time to settle.
Band dig deep but the performance does have it troubled side.
Cautious work continues and sees the work reach a climax.
Overall: The piece stretched the band today. Not quite at the top of thie game.
Star Player: Euphonium — Decian Goodhall (Stalwart performance like a fine Highland gamer!)
Band 13. NASUWT Riverside Concert Brass, John Bell, North of England
Purposeful opening has character but just the odd moment.
Tuning catches but it settles and unfolds quite well.
It lifts being bold and committed to the full to close.
Overall: Totally committed from chair 1 to chair 29
Star Player(s): Each and every player (Worthy of a place in the Edinburgh Festival)
Band 12. Farnworth and Walkden, Peter Ashey, North West
Bold dynamics but colourful opening.
Good control helps the music breathe with some style.
Nice lower end and built to a detailed close.
Overall: A good one that may feature.
Star Player: Percussion — Michael Deakin and team (A cultured as Holyrood Park grounds)
Band 11. Stape Silver, Tabby Clegg, North of England
Bold and purposeful to open.
Some cautious playing makes things sound nervous.
Confidence grows and the piece moves well to a good conclusion.
Overall: MD laid the foundations just those nervous moments.
Star Player: Solo Cornet — Lauren Breckon (Tone as warm as an Edinburgh Wollen Mill stole)
Halfway Point
At the halfway point in the contest its been an enjoyable day, but a long one so far as the bands have battled to overcome a tricky test piece. It's been good fun though and some of the efforts have been great.
Our three picks so far though:
1. Market Rasen
2. Hazel Graove
3. Langholm
Band 10. Dumfries Town, Peter Heyes, Scotland
A solid start and confident cornet work supports.
Nice tempo and clear solo lines esp. solo cornet.
Just some unease in closing out but a decent show.
Overall: Three good movements and just that third movement wavering may cost.
Star Player: Solo Horn — Darren Green (A tone like dusky malt whisky)
Band 9. LGB Brass, Ian Stewart, London and Southern Counties
Takes off at pace but the later calm and effective style is captured.
Odd moments unsettle but rep and back row contribute well.
Effective percussion supports a confidnt ending.
overall: Peaks and troughs
Star Player — Solo Cornets (esp. 3rd Man Down — Ian Hobbs) -Milked his part like an Aberdeen Angus!
Band 8. Langholm Town, Alan Fernie, Scotland
Not too bad to open and things are well shaped.
Solo lines are not too bad.
A vivid and forthright execution to end.
Overall: Although a touch scrappy in places, which could cost, the style was well presented.
Star Player: Euphonium — Michael Turk (As traditional a sound as Cranachan!)
Band 7. Market Rasen RPC, Alan Needham, Midlands
Confident opening but dynamics are strong.
Ensemble work is a credit to all.
A touch more Rome than Edinburgh but again well played.
Overall: A quality show
Star Player: Solo cornet — Smain Mokrane (As flavoursome an Arbroath Smokie!)
Band 6. Upper Rhondda, Nigel Seaman, Wales
MD kept it simple and tidy. Just a few moments rob the quality.
Nice musical flow and again cornet shines.
Euph joins the party and all seems to catch the mood.
Overall: A good one that deserves reward. Good sound and style.
Star Player: Solo Cornet — Hollie Horsell (Proud playing in that Celtic mood)
Band 5. Shipston Town, Howard Gibbs, Midlands
Cautious to open but nice sounds fill the hall.
Nice approach to follow and cornet commands the stage.
Continues in a steady manner to a good close.
Overall: Not too bad but just odd moments when it didn't quite gel.
Star Player: Soprano Cornet — Paul Lay (oiled his valves with a bit of Glenfiddich?)
Band 4. Battle Town, Jon Penton, London and Southern Counties
Decent opening but a few moments do detract.
Valiant and brave playing helped with good cornet playing.
Steady march style but again just odd moments catch the band out.
Overall: Some good solid stuff in places.
Star player: Soprano Cornet — Dean Pelling (Wore a cocky tamoshanter!)
Band 3. Test Valley Brass, Steve Large, West of England
Decent opening and generally well managed.
A few blips but nothing too serious.
Things get a touch 'nervy' and a shame it became a bit uneven.
Rounds out well with caution applied to tempo.
Overall: Not too bad but it didn't quite click in all movements.
Star player: Principal cornet (Made a good stand from the castle battlements)
Band 2. Dinnington Colliery, Jonathan Beatty, Yorkshire
Nice opening with good dynamics. Some lively playing.
Careful but plenty to admire in the playing.
Steady opening and this continues. Fine close.
Overall: Very persuasive performance. Some tuning moments though may cost.
Star player: Euphonium — Jess Marshall (Strode up the Royal Mile with a swagger)
Band 1. Hazel Grove, Nigel Beasley, North West
Very good confident start. Lots of detailand real majesty on show.
Nice and steady. Cornet does well and its nicely shaped.
'Scottish' snap style is effective. Tiny blips but it recovers well. Nice playing again before a positive close.
Overall: Very good marker — most consistent performance
Star player: Solo cornet — Philip Heywood (a nice touch of Drambuie in the playing)
