Junior Ensemble and Youth Section

Sunday 23rd January 2011
Venue: Reds, Butlins Skyline Resort
Commence: 11.00am

Comments by Malcolm Wood

Youth Section Overall

A great afternoon's entertainment with at times an exceptionally high standard of playing on display. For us, Youth Brass 2000 are fancied to retain their title and make it a hat-trick, but they've been pushed by Lions Youth and Enderby Youth.

4BR Prediction:

1. Youth Brass 2000
2. Lions Youth
3. Enderby

6. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch)

The Cheshire-based outfit show straight away that they are in good form with the march, 'Home Again', before trombonist, Ashley Taylor produces a lovely warm sound in 'Killing me Softly'.

'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace' has a lovely warmth to it. Five talented cornet players produce some real razzamatazz in the old classic, '12th Street Rag'. Flugel player, Ellie Baker, holds her nerve in the unaccompanied, 'When She Loved Me' before the whole band round things off with a solid 'American Trilogy'.

Overall: Another band that impresses today and a strong contender

5. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)

The defending champions open up with a march written for today, 'Capitol Square March', before the Principal Cornet, 14 year old, Thomas Fountain, gives an immaculate performance of 'Share My Yoke'.

The popular 'Valero' is upbeat and vibrant whilst 'Deep Harmony' showcases some fine pianissimo playing and a fine sound. The closing 'Cossack Fire Dance' is a band favourite and is delivered with that touch of class and authority about it.

Overall: The defending champions come to Butlins and put a strong marker down to retain the title.

4. Coleshill Youth (Stephen Fagg)

Coleshill's war time tribute open's up with the theme from 'Dad's Army', before the band's euphonium player displays her burgeoning potential in 'Benedictus'.

The religious 'St Clement' and 'Hymn to the Fallen' both find the band producing good control and dynamics. The nostalgic 'Bless 'em all' gets those old enough to know the words to have a good sing-a-long.

Overall: The war theme was something different and featured some good playing, but those introducing the pieces would surely have benefited from using a microphone?

3. Shirland Welfare Training (Dave Harvey)

The march, 'True and Trusty' is extremely well played and taken at a good tempo. 'Deep Harmony' has a real reverant feel to it whilst the flugel playing in 'I don't Know how to love him' is top draw.

The 'Latin Fiesta' and 'Stahl Himmel' are both played with confidence whilst PLC's finisher 'Big Top' is just pure fun.

Overall: Impressive programme that was extremely well played.

2. Croft Mid Band (Ian Bromley)

Rimmer's 'Slaidburn' is a fine opener, whilst the cornet's tribute to Brassed Off is one of resolve and total communication. Fun is the name of the game with the cartoon themes.

The hymn tune is nicely done whilst the closing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' shows there are some romantics in the band.

Overall: A varied programme which focussed on enjoyment with some good playing to match.

1. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome)

An impressive opening 'Westwood Ho' gets things underway before the familiar 'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace' is played with calmness and control.

Everyone dreams of warmer climates in 'Hernando’s Hideaway', whilst restrained playing is heard in the hymn tune before a few fire crackers are let off in 'The Ritual Fire Dance'.

Overall: Impressive opening contender from a solid band on good form

Junior Ensemble Overall:

What a cracking hour's playing that was with some excellent playing and sensible choices of music.

The results will be announced later on at the conclusion of the Youth Section.

4. Gresley Colliery Youth (Peter Hylton)

Gresley come to entertain with 'And all that Jazz', 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing' before showing good control in 'Eventide' before the Edrich Sibert classic 'Drummer's Delight' showcases the next Lee Skipsey.

3. Shirland Training Ensemble 1 (Dave Harvey)

From the opening 'The Preacherman' through to the closing 'John Brown's Body', Shirland Ensemble are in fine form and show they can perform in a controlled manner with 'Eventide' and 'Kum-ba-yah'.

2. Wigston Enterprise Band (Julie Maxwell)

The Midlanders open in fine style with 'The Dambusters', enjoy their 'Dancing with Wolves' before demonstrating good control in the hymn tune and let their hair down with a touch of Bach to close.

1. Shirland Training Ensemble 2 (Dave Harvey)

A varied programme containing a march, hymn, tribute to Yorkshire and a touch of magic is delivered with a real sense of enjoyment from players through to the MD. Great stuff.