The 2011 All-England International Masters is taking place at The Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering.

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Sunday 29th May
Test Piece: Gemini — Darrol Barry
Draw: 8.45am
Commence: 10.00am

Adjudicators: Ronald Holz, David Read MBE and Dennis Wilby

Draw:10.00am start
Comments by Iwan Fox

4BR opinion and prediction

An interesting one today — a contest that showed the real difference between true top class championship section bands and the rest.

Tredegar stamped their class today just ahead of an impressive Virtuosi GUS with a vibrant and enjoyable Tongwynlais in third.

Redbridge should claim fourth with Marsden, Fountain and Jaguar Land Rover in the hunt for the top six places.

4BR Prediction:

1. Tredegar
2. Virtuosi GUS
3. Tongwynlais Temperance
4. Redbridge
5. Marsden Silver
6. Fountain City

Dark Horses: Jaguar Land Rover and Pemberton Old Wigan DW

15.55pm
Zone One Brass (Richard Ward), (17)

A wonky old start — something wrong in baris and flugel struggles. Not inspiring much confidence to open.

Recovers well but the brio and pulse can't hide the lack of real inner ensemble detail. It's very stylish though.

Lovely euph but the flugel is a puzzle as well as struggle. The band take to the stage with two flugels. Odd. Reprise has that stylish swish, but there is an obvious lack of detail (rehearsal too one suspects). At time you hear real quality coming through — but its few and far between today.

Mr Geogeghan plays the solo with a very long model cornet and makes it sound very much in swagger style of Mr Murphy. Cool.

Again those moments of class — xylo for instance, and now they are in full swing.

Horn does well and the finale run for home is the best playing of the performance. We have waited some time for this — but its worth it. Just messy to close but neat tick tock ending.

Overall: Took its time to find its feet. Got better and better after a terrible start.

15.33pm
Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper), (16)

A fine start features a lovely plaintive flugel voice — it sets a lyrical opening picture.

Opening fast section has the required brio and purpose too. The detail is not always transparent but there is drive and pulse in the ensemble work.

Euph is artistic — and so too a very fine flugel. Reprise is well handled — timp is played so well. Gets a little scrappy in some motifs but its so energetc this. Good stuff.

Take a bow principal cornet — a cracking solo effort. Quality no doubt about it. Untidy last chord just spoils from ensemble.

It's getting a touch excitable as the adrenaline kicks in. Just loses ensemble focus. Certainly exciting — but needs a bit of level headed control.

Horn does his bit for the cause and there are some lovely little touches to the ensemble phrasing after this.

Just tires in the finale ride for home but it has been a thrilling stuff. Neat tick tock ending too.

Overall: A very good one this — in the mix for the prizes to day for us. Enjoybale reading and enjoyable playing. A possible podium finish beckons?

15.10pm
Friary Guildford (Chris King), (15)

A decent start just lacks that sense of lyrical atmosphere, but its solid and little is wrong. First quick section is played with plenty of brio — but the real inner detail is not really on display.

Well played euph — classy and flugel hangs in there too. Reprise is bold and colourful if as scratchy as a rescue dog with fleas in places. It does have that engaging pulse though and motifs are well played — esp baris and sop.

A real cracking effort from top man. Very nearly spilt blood in the cause with the pressure on the top lip — but bravo mate.

Those damn fleas just spoil the bold, throbbing style, but Ben Tubb gives the horn solo his best attentions. Run for home is well delivered too, despite the odd trip in the tempo. Clip clop rather than tick tock to close, but well done.

Overall: Not a bad one at all today. Stylish stuff just let down by the high minor error count. Shoud hold its own in a degree of comfort.

14.46pm
Fountain City (Dr Joseph Parisi), (14)

A lovely opening is enhanced with a wonderful eerie sense of lyricism by artistic flugel. This is so well delivered.

The following quick section takes its time to really settle though — the filigree semis are all over the place and some detail is messy.

Euph recovers the poise with real artistry, as does flugel (My word he does).

Ensemble work is scratchy around the edges and lacks real oomph but it is played with brio and pulse. Motif work is uneven. There is slickness to the approach — but like Mr Obama — the substance is sometimes lacking.

The Americans drive on the wrong side of the road with the cornet solo — the sop takes the wheel. Its OK but its still not right is it. The closing chord is badly fumbled.

Reprise is stylishly handled again but horn just struggles despite fine end. Super reprise and a quality tick tock ending round things off.

Overall: Not a bad one — some sublime moments amid some avergae ensemble work. One of the better ones today, but some way off the business end of the prizes.

14.26pm
Sovereign Brass (Stan Lippeatt), (13)

A slightly uneven opening but it recovers with fine flugel and then with real fruity bass trom leading the way in the quick section played with conviction and drive. It's untidy but has that sense of forward momentum.

Euph does well and flugel really does shine. Reprise is so scrappy, but has that pulse and drive. It's as untidy as student's bedsit but just as full of life.

Bravo solo cornet — a young lady who grasped the chance. A bravura effort too. The band owes you a drink or three.

Reprise is driven but now sounds a tad tired. Horn shows his experience and quality. Hangs in there to close as stamina wanes in finale reprise with fine xylo helping a hand. Neat tick tock ending but why the big pull back to close?

Overall: Not a bad one today — with some notable individual efforts helping this out. Should holds it own.

14.04pm
Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken), (12)

An uncomfortable opening takes time to find its balance and security, but flugel does well. The opening section moves a fair lick with bold tubas and bass trom leading the way. There isn't a great amount of inner detail on show though.

Euph is a lovely calming, lyrical soloist but flug is edgy and the dep to the solo cornet to finish off is a very obvious bit of sleight of hand.

Reprise is strained with perc obliterating detail — we hear why in back row cornets and other motifs. Why the sheer volume of dynamic?

Cornet does a Hulme and hands over the responsibility of possible points deductions to the sop. It's well played but as false as a Lib Dem tuition promise.

Reprise is so much better — bowls along at pace and with pulse but its harsh in tone and lacks real detail.

Horn does so well to restore calm, but the following ensemble is strained and harsh. Final push is delivered with purpose, but clock sounds as if it is wound by hand and the final note is a huge split.

Overall: OK — but only OK. Had its moments but the lack of ensemble balance and mistakes made this sound very avergae.

13.44pm
Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), (11)

A slightly nervy opening takes a little time to settle, but then flugel does so well. Drive and purpose by the bucketful from the bass trom leads this section so well — lots of quality on show here from all around the stands.

Euph and flugel do well again — played with finesse too. The reprise section lacks control and precision at times and is a little scrappy in places. Just takes a little off the high class gloss.

Mr Fountain produces a quite wonderful display of cornet artistry. Some talent this. The ensemble surrounding this was good, but on occassions just lost its focus and balance.

Reprise is once again full of brio, drive and pulse — but just lacking that extra degree of finesse in ensemble. Horn is excellent — top quality playing my man.

Final drive is very well delivered too and tick tock end is played with conviction.

Overall: A high quality show from GUS — with superb solo lines not quite balanced by ensemble. It right up there pushing Tredegar for us.

13.22pm
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), (10)

Superb opening portrays the right atmosphere with lyrical flugel taking the lead.

Opening quick section is played with brio and pulse. So much ensemble detail is displayed, with only question make over depping of bass trom leading line.

Classy euph shapes his interlude so musically — as does fugel. Reprise is so well delivered again. This is powerhouse playing of the highest class. Motifs are clear and precise.

Solo cornet gets a bit of female help from his collegue on bumper up — 3 points on the license officer.It knits though. Lovely ending.

More drive, pulse and wicked troms give this so much purpose and touch of class. Again — the contrasts in dynamcis and the detail is in a different league.

Horn — lordy me. Superb. Final drive for home is also delivered with that touch of cold blooded arrogance. Tick tock end is atomic.

Overall: A totally different league today. Some little moments to ponder for the judges but so much outstanding quality too.

13.02pm
Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), (9)

Uneasy start — lumpy and strange sounding with baris trying to deaden sound with hands on bells. Flugel does well, but this has lacked atmosphere to open.

Much better — but it lacks in depth ensemble detail in first quick section. MD keeps control of dynamic and tempi and there is a sense of drive with accented playing.

Euph does well — and so too flugel, whilst reprise is controlled. The lid is being kept on here.

Rep takes the opening bottom G before handing over to the solo cornet. Girls together eh? What on earth? Sop barges in and then cornet takes over the wheel. Odd and totally unmusical. Three to do one job — badly. It's like British Leyland in the 1970s.

Reprise is driven but now untidy. The focus has been lost with this now. A pity as at times the desire to control the elements is evident.

Horn just struggles, but warm ensemble recovers the picture. Reprise is OK only — and ending is pulled — but not well.

Overall: A very mixed account this. The desire to keep control of things went into micro management with cornet solo and it lost all focus. Average only.

12.46pm
Redbridge Brass (Jeremey Wise), (8)

Solid no nonsense opening — sets its stall without quite creating real atmosphere. More solidity to follow though — bold, pulsating with fine ensemble sounds. Some detail is not heard but it is played with stylish intent.

Euph does really well and flugel, although less at ease, keeps focus to the high ending. More good work in the reprise — dep work of motifs just about works. That sense of pulse is very evident though — and played with control.

Bravo solo cornet Mr Pask. That was a very fine effort indeed — played with a sense of the lyrical bravura required. More decent work in the reprise shows a fine tuba led sound. There is a quality mark here.

Horn delivers so well, but tubas go AWOL — and its a nasty moment that takes a bit of recovery. Final drive is well handled though and the pulse and drive is maintained, despite a unconvincing tick tock end.

Overall: A solid, quality show from Redbridge. Plenty to admire in solo and ensemble — but the occassional nasty loss of focus may just cost.

12.22pm
Hepworth (Michael Howley), (7)

Slightly cagey opening is solid if lacking atmosphere, but then it really ignites in the quick section after messy first few bars. Great ensemble sounds — big, bold and driven.

MD shows real changes in pace and there is detail to be heard with little motifs coming through. It's getting excitable though as adrenaline flows through the veins.

Euph and flugel sound uneasy. Reprise is well hadled, but its getting harsh at the top end of the dynamic range. More drive and energy though keeps you hooked.

Bravo solo cornet — a young man not afraid to step up to the plate. Just the odd struggle but a bravura attempt.

Reprise is scorching along, and horn does well to give a interlude of cool calm. Final run for home has real energy but is so scrappy — with a clicky start to tick tock end.

Overall: A bold, energetic account full of real ensemble power but too many scrappy moments and unease in solo lines.

11.59am
Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott), (6)

Solid opening just lacks for atmosphere but is set out with purpose despite the edgy solo lines. Following quick section is messy but does have that sense of pulse and drive.

Euph and flugel have their monments of unease that detract, but the following reprise of the quick sections is played with boldness. The detail is not always secure or clear though — depping the back row doesn't work lads.

Bravo Claire Taylor on solo cornet. Took the responsibility in both hands and delivered a solid no nonsense bit of Maurice Murphy.

Reprise is untiday agin — xylo shells peas in places, but there is a fine horn interlude before the close. Tick tock ending is also buffed up and driven.

Overall: A decent enough effort — too many ensemble problems though took the matt finish off this. It was a gloss finish from the solo cornet though.

11.36am
Wantage Silver (Philip Bailey), (5)

The use of the euph to cover bari line is a disaster to open and this takes time to recover its poise. Flugel does well but following quick section is so out of tune and messy.

More messy ensemble detracts although flugel and euph do well to follow to bring things back on some sort of track.

This is proving hard work — the reprises lack drive and pulse and there is little detailed motif work heard.

MD opts for the Lib Dem defence — opt out in cornet solo with delicate sop sounding nice but so out of context.

Reprise is better (great kit work) and horn does well, but the final tick tock is heavy handed and comes to a grinding halt.

Overall: A poor one — from the word go. Never sounded at ease in either lyrical or ryhtmic aspects of the piece.

11.15am
Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams), (4)

Just a question mark over the first timp entry but this is well delivered, with excellent flugel and plenty of atmosphere.

Bass trom does a Chris Hulme and hands over the wheel to tenor lead at start of first quick section, but the ensemble playing after this is full of drive, pulse and purpose.

Euph and then super flugel shine and this is confidently played. Reprise is once more throbbing along with real drive if a little scrappy in some motifs and places.

A three point penalty on the cornet solo as its shared between top two cornets. Help was needed and it just about works. The incriminating evidence though was clear.

Horn delivers the final well played solo interlude and the final reprise is once again pulsating and driven. Tick tock end though is just wrong. There is no final draw back, although audience don't mind.

Overall: A bold, driven and puposeful account this — full of confidence and fine solo interludes. Some question marks though on the depping and that end, but a solid no nonsense one.

10.53am
Jaguar (Land Rover) (Dave Lea), (3)

Solid start is played with confidence and the bold approach continues — led by fruity bass trom in first quick section. It has pulse and drive this amid the bits flying off the edges.

Euph and flugel do well — more confident delivery but reprise is once again just a touch edgy. Good little motifs are heard too and that pulse continues to feed through.

Bravura cornet — at times on the edge of comfort but all the responsibility taken on broad shoulders. Untidy close spoils from ensemble though.

Reprise is again bold and colourful if slittly but horn does well to hang in there to close and tick tock end finally finds an audience response.

Overall: Not bad — the best by a margin of the first three. Had its moments good and bad though and may be a solid midfield finisher to day.

10.31am
Newstead Welfare (Duncan Beckley), (2)

Timp seems very distant to start in atmospheric opening, but following pacy allegro is messy and lacks ensemble cohesion.

Flugel is on the edge on second solo line but hangs in there. Quick reprise is once more messy but there are some neat indivdual motifs from sop and back row cornets.

MD goes for the Chris Hulme opt out in cornet solo. Starts with cornet but passes all responsibility to sop. Well played but just not on at this level surely?

Reprise of quick stuff is better handled this time around with horn delivering a well managed final solo. Tick tock end is not really played with conviction — as shown by audience response.

Overall: Not too great either. Had its moments, but the opt out was worthy of six points on the license, and overall it never really sounded convincing.

10.13am
NASUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson), (1)

A good opening is enhanced by a solid flugel, but the first quick section is a bit of a mess.

Flugel does well again in lyrical solo but the reprise of the quicker elements is all over the place again. Thee is a real lack of ensemble cohesion.

Cornet — bravo. A brave effort without help that hung in there.

The quick reprise is once again lacking in focus, but is driven by percussion. Horn delivers a fine final solo interlude before the tick tock finish catches the audience by surprise to close.

Overall: Not a great one to start, but they won't be alone today we suspect.