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Saturday 9th October
Test Piece: 'Terra Australis' — Martin Ellerby
Draw: 8.30am
Commence: 10.00am

Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, David Read MBE, Dr Chris Davis OBE

Comments by Iwan Fox

4BR Prediction:

You wouldn't want to be a judge today — this is such a close run thing. The usual suspects should be in the mix but there can be case for any of five or six to win today.

For us its Cory to take it by a narrow margin from Black Dyke, with Brighouse, Tredegar, Fairey (Geneva) and Rothwell close on their heels. Any of these bands could well win it.

The race for 7th place is between Foden's, GUS and Redbridge.

1. Cory
2. Black Dyke
3. Brighouse & Rastrick
4. Tredegar
5. Fairey (Geneva)
6. Rothwell Temperance

Result in about 45 mins.

20. Aveley & Newham, Nigel Taken

High paced opening is colourful and well handled in terms of creating the required drama. Little clips and blips spoil the picture which has been neatly created by the MD. Loss of ensemble balance is becoming more apparent however but a nicely shaped Andante and flowing anthem (although why the euph stands is a mystery)follow.

Scrappy errors just blight cadenzas but Andante flows well to lead on to the reprise.

This is scrappy, untidy ensemble playing though — troms are way out at times. Struggles as the final section unfolds and the last few bars really do sound tired and harsh.

Overall: A varied one that just couldn't quite build on the initial promise of the opening. Not bad though today.

19. NUSUWT Riverside, Ian Robinson

Untidy opening is high paced but has too mnay little errors that rob the desire to create the drama. There is much to admire in places, but the error count is mounting and syarting to hurt.

Andante flows with musicality and anthem is well played but again the little rough edges do detract from the overall picture. Cadenzas are variable but the following Andante is well shaped again.

Reprise though is tired and with the stamina waning there is an ever growing error count and losseness in the ensemble. A tired band makes a brave climax and close.

Overall: Not a great one against others today but may just take a few scalps.

18. Black Dyke, Dr Nicholas Childs

Superb opening has detail, drive and so much precision in ensemble. There are little clips and blips bu there is drama and colour too. What great ensemble work is on show at times as we move into a lovely Andante that flows and an anthem that is played with a sense of nobility.

A huge question over the horn dep in the cadenza but the they hang together despite other dep work being evident. Lovely Andante section follows with such classy musicality on display.

Reprise is played with such bravura brilliance that it is hard to find any fault. What ensemble clarity is on disaply and the ending is delivered with an absolute sense of finality.

Overall: An immensely satisfying performance of the very highest class. Had its odd moment but it was hard to find real fault on this. Some playing.

17. Reg Vardy, Ray Farr

High paced opning is scrappy but highly effective and exciting for sure. Generous dynamics create dramatic impression but at the expense of clarity as perc dominates.

Andante flows and lyrical treatment of anthem is very nicely done indeed. More quality follows too, but cadenzas vary in quality of execution and ensemble becomes loose after this.

There is a distinct loss of momentum in the reprise and as stamina wanes so does the quality — there is so much loose ensemble playing on view. Bold close gives a thumping climax — but a little too late.

Overall: Too much varience for us today in terms of execution to be in the mix but it should hold it own.

(Apologies for not uploading this performance. Our mistake — Editor)

16. Leyland, Philip Harper

What a powerful opening — full of drama and vibrant life but the volume does dilute the clrity in the ensemble detail. Perc is overpowering too often for us, despite the band clearly putting in the work.

Nicely shaped Andante but anthem is not balanced — the horn dominates for us. This leads breathlessly to the cadenzas, which are OK — but a little on the edge at times. More quality but once more its adrenalin led playing and some of the little idiosyncracies don't quite come off.

Reprise is more power driven playing — great drama but the detail is secondary. A pity as despite a rousing finish this ached for a little more control.

Overall: One that had its moments — but the desire to make a power driven mark through vlume and not detail may cost it. A slightly odd one this.

14.24

15. Brighouse & Rastrick, Professor David King

A controlled, detailed brilliance to this — and dynamically accurate too. Very classy playing despite the odd blip and clip with a coherent musical picture created.

Andante is so well shaped and the anthem is played at a near perfect pace. Again — the control of all aspects of the performance is so clearly defined.

Cadenzas wobble in places and we wonder why troms have to stand. Reprise is so well handled but the clip count is starting to be noticeable despite the drive to the close. A fine ending too. What a classy show.

Overall: A very fine performance this so coherent and techncially secure. Should be in the mix today.

14. Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts

Huge opening is on the limit and a little above at times, but it is full of the drama required for certain. Non nonsense stuff that is dynamically generous but very effective.

Andante is not quite as impressive but anthem is so well done and the security on show is of a high quality. Elastic close though does detract. Cadenzas are generally well played but do ahve the odd wobble.

Reprise is well played despite the occassional nasty clip. It stays on the egde right to a thumping close.

Overall: A performance of real solid contesting virtues. Not the most subtle but highly effective and impressive and one that should feature highly for us today.

14.07

13. Flowers, Paul Holland

Powerful opening is dynamically (even opening bass drum entry) and lacks real detail, but it does have the sense of drive and excitement. Grows in stature but the lack of precision is noticeable.

Andante is solid and secure and so too following anthem. A little non descript in places and cadenzas are varied (and subbed). Uneven this but recovers well.

Reprise is brash and harsh despite the high drama level. Stamina wanes and so does the quality, but it retains its form to a thumping close.

Overall: A workmanlike performance of no great highs or lows but the lack of subtlty was a real drawback.

13.48

12. Whitburn, Frank Renton

A deliberately placed opening is bold and bravura but lacks pace and detail to impose drama. You sense the intent but the high error count does detract.

Andante is musically shaped and elastic in flow but the errors are hurting this. Anthem is lovely music, but the ensemble fragilities are clear cut.

Cadenzas work — just but the following Andante never flows. Reprise sounds tired despite some fine indivdual efforts. Climax and close and thumping but a little too late to really impress.

Overall: A very uneven one from the Scots — far too error prone today to make a mark for us.

11. Foden's, Allan Withington

Superb opening has all the resquired drive but there are noticeable errors and it takes time to really find its true focus. There are some sublime moments but also unforced errors that detract too.

Andante is finely shaped and so to the drive to the cadenzas, which are not totally secure. It rocks somewhat in places but recovers.

Reprise is well handled but once again it has an error count that detracts. Certainly exciting and riven but not always precide. Rousing closes and thumping end though.

Overall: Certainly a very high class performance but not quite there in the mix for us today.

4BR Halfway opinion:

No band nailed their colours to the mast until Cory and they lead for us. Tredegar and Fairey are a little way behind with a battle for the other places perhaps led by Redbridge.

1. Cory
2. Tredegar
3. Fairey (Geneva)

12.44

10. Cory, Dr Robert Childs

Trademark stuff — so full of detail, drive and purpose. It's very bold playing — a very vibrant picture is being created. This is so dramatic — breathtaking at times.

Andante flows with emotion and following anthem too. This is playing of the highest quality and drive into cadenzas is gripping. Little blips do not detract before before and after their delivery. Superb Andante.

Reprise is played with such clarity, drive and detail once more. Great playing right to hammer driven close.

Overall: A superb performance — no doubt about it. Left little to chance and delivered in spades. Tremendous playing that will take some beating today only by something very special.

12.23

9. Redbridge, Jeremy Wise

Purposeful opening has the required drive and sense of vibrant excitement but it lacks real inner detail and control in places. Lyrical Andante is so musically shaped but little ensemble fragilities just take sheen off lovely anthem.

Solid run through to cadenzas which are played with authority and following Andante is also solidly delivered with growing nobility.

Reprise has a sense of growth and despite the odd blip there is much to admire. Just loses that clarity of detail towards close but a fine ending.

Overall: A good one this — safe and solid and just lacking that extra cutting edge. Should more than hold its own today we think.

8. Desford Colliery, Garry Cutt

Super start is full of vibrancy and clear security topped by wicked sop. This has the hallmarks of Mr Cutt all over it — so well presented with such solidity. Impressive playing this through sweet Andante and noble anthem.

More quality to follow too although the cadenzas are a little uneven in execution. Recovers so well, but the troms are out of tune and it has lost focus here.

Reprise has quality but not that cutting edge of the opening. High class stuff but a little tired despite a rousing approach and final thumping close.

Overall: Very nearly an absolute pearler but still a very high class account that just faded after the cadenzas.

11.47

7. Co-operative Funeralcare, Michael Fowles

A big, bold start is full of vibrant excitement but the real inner detail and dynamic balances are generously proportioned. Andante is flowing but again the need for dynamic contrast is evident despite admirable solidity to the anthem.

More solid virtues are displayed but cadenzas are very varied in execution and the following sections are messy and untuneful.

Recovers well and there is much to enjoy in the build to final climaxes. Breathless close is untidy though.

Overall: A varied package that had its moments, but the major fault lines were evident throughout.

6. Fairey (Geneva), Russell Gray

Boldly coloured opening is classy and defined, but not without its clips. A fine sense of style is apparent and the Andante is so musically shaped as is the emotive anthem.

Cadenzas have a few wobbles but are stylish, whilst the following lyrical section is drawn for all its worth.

Not every thing quite comes off, but this is high quality playing. MD takes risks with elasticity at times but the bold picture is retained right to the close.

Overall: A very lyrically inspired musical picture, that took risks. A persuasive high class account if not error free.

11.09

5. Tredegar, Ian Porthouse

Superb start is full of detail, balance and precision — so classy this. Lovely flow to the Andante and again it is detail that is heard. Anthem is played with such musical shape.

Little clips are heard but the overall picture is so well presented. Cadenzas have the odd little wobble, but emerge with style.

Reprise is high class playing with such control and precision again. What a close — troms are awesome. Brilliantly bravura stuff.

Overall: A different league. Small clips may make the difference though — they were noticeable, but overall a very classy performance that will take some spiking.

10.53

4. Virtuosi GUS, John Berryman

Bold opening is forceful and exciting, but dynamics seem generous right from opening bass drum. This is adrenaline packed — a bit scrappy but effective.

Andante flows and anthem is again boldly coloured and balanced. Cadenzas are very well handled though and this moves well. We still question the dynamics, but it solid stuff.

Tuning grates at times and stamina issues appear, but this is bravura playing that just gets out of control in breathless close.

Overall: A bold one this — at times very bold and a tad brash. It was an exciting combination though and very descriptive.

10.35

3. Camborne Town, Richard Evans

Untidy opening lacks precision and detail although it is exciting for sure. Flows well in Andante but anthem is rather drawn out.

Cadenzas are an uneven set and very individual takes too — but the error count is mounting. Some real nasty moments detract but there is a nice flow to the music.

Stamina wanes in closing sections and the close is very messy.

Overall: A very uneven one this — at times it had sparkle, but the obvious flaws were deep set.

2. Tongwynlais Temperance, Nigel Seaman

Driven opening is untidy if exciting with colour and dynamic contrast. It loses its focus though and becomes forced in places in the desire to make a mark.

Andante is simply done — as is the anthem, but the filigree work detracts because of its volume. Flows unevenly to cadenzas which are a mixed bag — some superb — others not so.

Plenty of drive to follow but stamina wanes and scrappy playing is heard and errors apear. Bravura ending has a spark.

Overall: A decent effort this, but one that fell away somewhat.

1.Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Philip McCann

Bold opening is scrappy but a fine sop is heard in a driving tempo. Some lack of detail and dynamics too and the sop sub at Andante is noticeable.

Simple treatment of anthem works well and is musically shaped, but cadenzas are uneven and subbed too in places. Too many clips and unforced errors are detracting.

More unforced errors marr the picture and a bold ending is scrappy and forced.

Overall: Never quite managed to totally gell this with a high error count taking off the sheen. Could struggle to make a real mark today.