Day 1 of the 2011 Lower Section National Finals from The Centaur Conference Centre, Cheltenham.
Follow our live comments for Section 4
The 2011 Lower Section National Finals sponsored by Allianz, Yamaha & Wright & Round is taking place at The Centaur Conference Centre, Cheltenham.
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Saturday 24th September
Test Piece: 'Henry the Fifth' — Ralph Vaughan Williams
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Barry Thompson
Comments by Dave Tinker
4BR Prediction:
A hard one to call — but this was a test piece that in truth was far too hard for the vast majority of the competing bands.
Hats off to the players and MD for putting in so much hard graft — you could not fault the effort. The Panel needs to look at the real level of Fourth Section banding though — there was not enough bands who could play this in any degree of comfort today.
For us its Besses from Dronfield, after they both delivered well worked performances of merit. Dinnington could cliam a podium finish, whilst Boarshurst, Rushden and Melingriffith 2 could well feature in the prizes. Our dark horse is Burbage Buxton.
1. Besses Boys
2. Dronfield
3. Dinnington
4. Boarshurst
5. Rushden
6. Melingriffith 2
Dark Horse: Burbage Buxton
Ireland Colliery Chesterfield, Ian Knapton, Midlands, 19
A solid opening is played withreal solidity. A question over the style chosen, but no question over the commitment and confidence on display. Some mispitching just spoils the end.
Lilting feel to the music is well shaped. Little clips and blips do detract though. A pity as this was musically coherent.
It's getting error prone, but the sense of style remains. The adrenaline is flowing through the veins and its getting messy. A pity this as it has lost focus in the drive to creat excitement. Bold finish is a thumper — and a good one.
Overall: Too many little errors spoilt this one. MD took risks but they just didn't quite pay off today.
Star Player: Horn was a steady unflustered presence from start to finish.
Mellingriffith 2, Dewi Griffiths, Wales, 18
Secure opening is enhanced by sop line of quality. We like the musical approach but it is just tarnished in places by the odd minor blip or two.
Lovely flow to the music and the cornet and sop line is well combined. Just intonation issues take a bit of gloss off things, but it is musically portrayed and delivered.
Fine troms just get a tad excited but once more you can sense the musicality coming through. Real pomp and swagger to the march and there is plenty in the tank for a controlled ending.
Overall: One that could well feature today — perhaps not quite to win but a top six without a doubt.
Star Player: A classy sop made his mark today.
Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes, Steve Askew, North of England, 17
Secure open is just a little out of balance in places — with basses struggling to be heard. A bit more spark is required in places to bring the music to life, but we like the musical approach of the MD and the commitement of the players.
A little forced in some of the solo lines means that the music doesn't really settle, but it is secure enough. MD draws a lovely close though.
Good atmosphere created from the word go, but it just needs a touch more regality about it. All the notes are in place, but stamina just wanes in the march and in the final few bars.
Overall: Not a bad one by any means, but just needed a touch more character about itself to make a mark today.
Star Player: Euphonium was a solid and dependable presence today and so too the perc who never overpowered.
NASUWT Riverside Concert, Bryan Tait, North of England, 16
A controlled opening is enhanced by the playing of the basses and the cornets, especially in the fanfares. Some little isues but overall this has been solid stuff.
Nice solo cornet leads well and the musical approach from the MD means that the music has plenty of time and space. Neatly done this.
Some poor work in some areas spoils this, but the recovery is made quickly and the march ending is played with a sense of celebration.
Overall: A little mixed as many today, but what was good was of a high quality and should stand them in good stead.
Star Player: Solo cornet. Provided lots of quality every time they played.
Abertillery a& District Youth, Dean Evans, Wales, 15
The opening just takes a little while to settle, but there are plenty of fine sounds from the middle and bottom of the band. Just a few minor blips and blobs tarnish.
Sop does so well and horn closes movement with aplomb too. In between it had its ups and downs, but the musical flow was well managed by the MD.
Troms need balance, but it is full of life and commitement. Just loses focus at times but the march is played with real swagger and there is plenty in the tank for a bold, full bodied close.
Overall: A little too uneven but the musical approach was to be admired.
Star Player: Soprano was a star today — a classy contribution.
Bratton Silver, Simon Carr, West of England, 14
A controlled opening section doesn't quite gel with intonation a bit of a problem. Cornets play well, but you have to question the quick tempos. Interesting take this.
Nice playing. A real effort is made to find the music — and the little bits of rubato work well. An MD not afraid to take a risk or two. Sop and horn show a great deal of class.
Bang on with the tempo now and the march has the right sense of pomp and swagger. There is something in the tank to give a bold finish too even if its is a little milked.
Overall: An interesting, risky one. Highly enjoyable though even if there may be tempo questions in the box.
Ramsey Town, Robert Quane, North West, 13
A good start just loses focus as intonation starts to hurt. A pity as this is well put together. Needs a touch of confidence to come alive — nerves seem to be playing a part. Well done troms though.
More like it — great sop and cornet and there are warm sounds to balance from the middle of the band. Different league this.
Sensible tempo just lacks a bit of bite and drive so the march doesn't have that sense of majesty or swagger. Recovers and the final section is played with passion and purpose.
Overall: Perhaps nerves just got the better at times as when it clicked it was very good playing, especially in the middle section.
Star Player: Solo cornet and sop deserve the plaudits.
Harwich RBL, A. Sanders, London & Southern Counties, 12
A little harsh to start, but it soon settles. Basses are a classy foundation stone — full bodied sounds are heard. It just gets a little brittle in tone to sound totally at ease.
Lovely opening with soprano a star — so sweet. Just a little bit of intonation spoils a well constructed picture.
Positive stuff — bold but balanced now and the march has a nice swagger to it. Basses once again shine by giving a firm bottom sound and this means the band reach the end with just enough to spare.
Overall: One of the better ones today. Little bits of worry, but should hold its own.
Star Player: Soprano. Take a bow young man, you outshone the basses!
Besses Boys, Jamie Holt, North West, 11
Excellent opening — the best of the day. Just the slight wobble but this has been laid out with techncial and musical authority. The music really came to life.
Just slightly held back in tempo by the MD, but this allows extra time and space for the music to be played with style. Bravo soloists and MD. This worked so well.
Momentum is maintained with a finale that is full of pomp and swagger. There is something in reserve for the ending too.
Overall: A very well crafted performance. Little clips but this is a fine leader so far for us.
Star Player: Solo cornet — a real star amongst many in the band today.
Dinnington Colliery, Jonathan Beatty, Yorkshire, 10
Takes a little while to settle, but then we hear some quality solo and ensemble work. Great cornet fanfares lead to a close of settled authority.
Just the odd blip, but it doesn't detract from the lovely lilting feel created. Lovely sop adds to the warm textures.
This is controlled playing. The march is played with a touch of pomp and even a hint of arrogance. Bravo MD — a real Henry V!
Overall: One to enjoy. Not always secure, but the musical content was a treat.
Star Player: A sop to be proud of.
Burbage (Buxton), Steve Critchlow, Midlands, 9
A very impressive opening is just tarnished by a sloppy trom fanfare, but the desire to create growing excitement is clear to hear, even if the detail comes and goes.
Flows wells, but just needs a little more contrast to really create the atmosphere. Solid and nononsense and a fine horn to close.
More solid midde of the band sounds, with euph and baris in particular leading the way. The march is bold, but the dynamics are getting a little OTT in places.
Overall: A bit of a mixed account this. Some of the playing was very good, but there were moments when it lost focus and concentration.
Golborne, Jason Smith, North West, 8
Good basses provide the foundation for a fine opening statement. The positive approach continues throughout, even if there is a need for a touch more contrast in the dynamics.
Well done cornet and the main solo lines are well handled. Ensemble offers the balance too, but the ending just loses a touch of shape and security.
It's up tempo in the final sections but the march is played with a stylish intent. Perhaps the judges may question the musical character but it was delivered with confidence.
Overall: A little bit of a mixed musical bag, even if the technical aspects were pretty secure. An interesting one.
New Forest Brass, Ian Luxford, West of England, 7
A good opening — balance and detail is heard and it captures the style required. Positive playing this — just a bit scrappy, but full of life.
More positive approach work and the inner parts are heard. Well done horn — a lovely bit of work.
More solid playing — just the odd moment or two. It's mostly under control, but it is starting to lose focus as stamina wanes. March has the right style and the finish comes just in time.
Overall: One of the best so far. Enjoyable, if a little flawed. Could feature today.
Hatherleigh Silver, David Hayward, West of England, 6
This was a good opening, but the tuning robs it of being a real top notch cracker. There are moments that catch the ear for the right and wrong reasons, but its solidly put together.
A little uncertain in approach as nerves seem to be shown, but it has a nice lyrical feel and the music flows. Ensemble is strong but some solo lines waver.
It's a quick step march of celebration, but the band has kept its best playing until last. Plenty of energy and stamina in reserve for the bold finish.
Overall: Not quite up there today we think, with so many little errors.
Star Player: Bass trom added a neatly rounded edge to the bass line.
Dronfield Band, John Davies, Yorkshire, 5
The odd scratch but an opening that had presence and quality. Fanfares were solidly played — the first real positive ones today, but it just got a bit edgy to close.
What a lovely bit of lyrical playing — bravo. Comfortable and quality led with sop at the head.
What a pity! The slips are noticeable and detract, but the sense of commitment is palpable. The celebration march is a good one — full of character and there is more than enough in the tank to close too.
Overall: A good one this — dipped in quality in odd places, but this was a performance of musical merit.
Star Player: Another super sop with a delicate touch.
Boarshurst Silver, David Ashworth, North West, 4
A secure opening is a good one with the basses laying a solid foundation. Fanfares are well played, but it just loses focus and gets a little scrappy. Neat close though.
Well done solo cornet and sop — nice complimentary sounds. It has a fine lilting feel this, but a few too many little blobs detract.
Bold to close, with a march of character that holds its majestic feel. We hear some fine middle band sounds too with the baritones taking the lead. More than enough in the tank to close too.
Overall: Not without its problems but the best so far and a good marker to beat.
Star Palyer: Sop just pips the baritone section.
Rushden Town, Martin Dawson, Midlands, 3
A decent opening helped by a fine bass foundation gives this real atmosphere. There are a few struggles here and there but cornets lead well.
The troms open well but the overall detail is lacking. Improves as we go along and the dynamic control is well maintained.
More good playing and the trom work again shines. A bit of a quick swagger march of celebration but it leads to a fine finish.
Overall: A bit of a mixed bag, but it got better as it went along to end of a real high.
Star Player: Solo horn. Not often in the spotlight but took the opportunity with both hands.
MacTaggart Scott Loanhead, Mark Bell, Scotland, 2
Slightly uncertain opening with a few tuning issues, but it improves as it goes along.
Bravo solo cornet — very classy and soprano follows suit. This is a different band and the MD draws out the music.
Gets a little tired in places, but the ensemble remains compact and coherent and the march is played with a swagger. Just loses focus to close.
Overall: Not a bad one. Just tired in places, but there were some lovely individual moments to go with solid ensemble.
Star Player: A soprano player Henry V would have been proud of.
L.G.B Brass, Ian Stewart, London & Southern Counties, 1
It's a little scrappy in places but basses hold things together so well.
Nice solo cornet and there is a real flow to the music as MD leaves the music with time to flow.
Basses again shine but the fanfares tend to rush. The final march is so well played. Bravo — a real swagger. Just gets a tad tired to close, but a brave effort.
Overall: Just struggled in places, but overall this was a pretty good marker.
Star Player: Solo cornet was a leader and soloist of real merit.
