The 2011 Lower Section National Finals sponsored Allianz, Yamaha and Wright and Round is taking place at The Centaur Conference Centre, Cheltenham.
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Sunday 25th September
Test Piece: La Forza Del Destino (Verdi arr. Frank Wright)
Comments by Andy Warriner
Adjudicators: John Berryman & Malcolm Brownbill
4BR Prediction:
Overall it has been a mixed day on Force of Destiny.
Four bands stood out for us from the rest headed by Aldbourne, with a classy but error strewn Hammonds close behind. Bournemouth are hot on their heels with Ratby's classy early marker.
Behind these we opt for Yorkshire Imps fast paced account and Longridge with a classy one. Our dark horse is Pontardulais.
1. Aldbourne
2. Hammonds Saltaire
3. Bournemouth
4. Ratby Co-op
5. Yorkshire Imps
6. Longridge
Dark Horse: Pontardulias
Hathern, Dave Newman, Midlands, 18
Safe opening. All the detail is heard even if the pace is a little subdued to let the drama unfold. Basses? Wrong note? Too many splits spoil the picture and there are some basic errors here. Nice sounding flugel enhances the good work from the basses and euphs.
Tempo is again a tad subdued to bring the agitation through, but the following andante con prima is well handled. Now it is coming to life.
Steady again the finale. It's a cautious approach, but destiny surely gets the blood racing a bit more than this? Secure and solid in all parts and a decent close.
Overall: Not bad, but there could have been a few more risks taken.
Star Player: Euph shone out.
Aldbourne, David Johnson, West of England, 17
What a statement to open. Fate bangs on the door! Fine sounds and a lovely tempo allows clasyy soloists to shine. MD shows his pleasure and you can't blame him either.
Great technique on show in Allegro Agitato, and once more we hear inner detail to compliment solo lines of quality. Andante is the best yet. Time taken and music delivered!
Allegro is high class stuff — great ensemble work builds into a finish that shakes the spine. A real bobby dazzler of a climax.
Overall: Right up there — no messing. Compliments to one and all for this one.
Star Player: The full set deserve to take a bow.
East London Brass, Jayne Murrill, London & Southern Counties, 16
A fine opening statement of intent. Clean, clear and safe and all parts are heard.The music flows well and at a good pace too — just getting on the edge at times. Great Eb tuba!
Allegro Agitato has just the right feel with technique combined with style to fine effect with exception of closing bars. Andante to follow doesn't convince however.
The solo lines are not always happy and the balance just ebbs as tiredness kicks in. Holds its form though to the bold end.
Overall: A very shapely performance that held the interest. It could be a possible top six finisher if it appeals in the box.
Star Player: Eb tuba take a bow!
Pontardulais Town, Paul Jenkins, Wales, 15
A measured opening has a stamp of quality and you get to hear all the detail on the score. The steady tempo in the Andantino allows the music time to flow in comfort and the players deliver in style.
Allegro Agitato moves along well, with little hints of discomfort, but a fine feeling of style. Andante to follow is played with authority.
Occassional splits and clips just take polish off the high class finish, but the honest approach without recourse to effect impresses. Just needed to really catch fire to close.
Overall: Nearly a very good contender indeed. Just needed a little more life to hit the bullseye but it came close.
Star Player: Euph was a player of high class today.
Hammonds Saltaire, Morgan Griffiths, Yorkshire, 14
A good opening with just the odd production problem. There is real quality on show with this — a fine ensemble sound in particular, but it does have the little scratch marks.
Allegro Agitato has such a fine sense of drama and style, despite those little niggles and there are a couple more in the following Andante.
Very good in style again, but those tiny little clips just keep showing their face. What a superb sounding band though — great mighty fortissimos and do we hear a pedal in the right place for once? The close was a pile driver.
Overall: Right up there in terms of style and approach but the odd slip may be one too many for actual victory. A very close call though.
Star Player: A great sounding euph added something special throughout.
Phoenix West Midlands, Trevor Jones, Midlands, 13
Doesn't knit together to open but it does recover. As steady tempo allows flow, but it sounds a little aneamic in places. A touch more Stella Artois required to get the juices flowing. MD works hard to keep things on track.
Allegro is OK but nothing more and there are a few things knocked about and over in the following Andante. It has lost its focus.
Better playing in the Allegro onwards — easily their best. Neat cornet and the ensemble has finally found its feet. The final drive for home is well done.
Overall: All a little too late for us. A midfield finish at best?
Star Player: The euphs and baritones did more than most to keep things on track.
Bedford Town, Andrew Kershaw, London & Southern Counties, 12
Just the occassional slip and blip takes the close off the well worked opening. MD draws some lovely playing from around the stands, with just the odd moment of intonation spoiling the overall picture.
Semi quavers sound scrappy in Allegro and it has become just a little too agitated for its own good. Andante that follows brings things back on track.
The error count is mounting now in the search for a bit of extra excitement. The MD has drawn things together though for a bold full bloodied ending.
Overall: A nearly one this. Had the potential, but didn't quite come off today.
Bournemouth Concert Brass, Cpt Dave Barringer, West of England, 11
Now that is an opening. Do we hear the first big pedals of the day from the basses though? Great cornet solo is a class act. The tremelos are not clear but the euph more than compensates.
Agitato is played with a drive and sense of energy that retains its clarity and balance, whilst the Andante to follow is so nicely shaped.
The drive to the end is played with vibrancy and a delicacy of touch. The occassional mispitch is heard, but this is a performance of high class merit, rounded off with blazing aplomb.
Overall: A very enjoyable high class performance. Could well be in the top end mix.
Star Player: The classiest of classy solo cornet players.
Longridge, Mark Peacock, North West, 10
Great opening — a real force of destiny statement. This flows with musical ease and doesn't sound forced. Super flugel and cornet lines and well done horn. This has been delivered with considerable classy style.
Steady tempo in the Allegro Agitato makes sure we hear the inner and outer detail and you can sit back and enjoy the music that is being developed here. It is a high class playing and so well directed.
Great sounds are heard with a refined tempo that brings a hint of delicacy. The odd split here and there and it gets loose in the closing section as stamina wanes. Well done troms to close.
Overall: A superb reading of the score by the MD has given this account an extra bit of class. If its refinement they are looking for in the box, this could be the one to beat.
Star Player: A flugel player of the highest class was on show here today
Harrogate, Craig Ratcliffe, North of England, 9
Great opening and super band sound holds promise. Little clips but they are very minor and the good work continues. A little bit of intonation catches the ear but the MD takes a well worked risk with the dynamics which works a treat.
Allegro onwards works well too, dynamic contrast and security in leading lines and ensemble.
Slightly flat solo line takes the edge off, but troms are top rate. The adrenaline goes AWOL though and there are a few who think they can win this on their own. Perc goes bonkers and for a moment all that good work comes under threat of annihilation. Fine ending is a blessing.
Overall: 9/10ths a great show, 1/10th totally tripe. This could have been right in there, but that last section may cost.
Star Player: All three troms take a bow.
Roberts Bakery, Colin Cranson, North West, 8
A solid opening is delivered with all things heard and together. A no nonsense approach works well. Tuning issues take the gloss off with the occassional note not heard. A lovely style on show thanks to an MD who has an understanding of the score.
Allegro has detail and clarity and the following Andante con prima is played with a swishness not heard today.
Noticeable gear change in tempo is questionable halfway through H. It gets brash and a bit out of tune and why the change down in tempo into M? Picks up for a fine end.
Overall: Seemed to lose a little bit of momentum in final quarter when MD took what seemed odd risks with tempo.
Star Player: The solo cornet led the band so well from the front.
Haverhill, Mark Ager, London & Southern Counties, 7
Controlled opening leads into a flowing section where all the detail is heard in full. Great solo lines at Andantino on following (bravo Eb tuba). All things are going to plan, until tuning issues tarnish the well worked picture. A great pity.
Allegro is not together and we congratluate the multi instrumental cornet player. You may get away with it — may....
Allegro to the end is played with a neat clarity, the odd intonation issue but a fine sense of momentum. A lovely build up to a thrilling close.
Overall: A decent effort this with many good moments.
Star Player: Solo cornet — in all guises.
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel, David Nesbitt, Yorkshire, 6
Solid opening with everything heard. Speed sees a few little errors and sop is not together with ensemble at A. This is a fast flowing one from Imps, but great euph and basses make sure it is surefooted throughout.
Allegro Agitato is very good — so much detail and there is a great cornet muted section of work at the Andante con Prima.
Now we are motoring — but what a fine band sound. Just the odd slip here and there but cornet is superb and at the right piano dynamic. A very exciting close. Phew!
Overall: A very good show — full of passion and a touch of agression. It could be the one to beat so far.
Kirkintilloch Kelvin, Charles Feenan, Scotland, 5
A good opening is tarnished by the occassional split and slight untogetherness. The following Andantino shows a great band sound, but little tuning moments just spoil the picture. Basses provide a fine foundation though.
The Agitato starts so well and has a fine growing momentum, but the last few bars lose focus. Andante to follow is excellent. Lovely stuff.
Rocks a little to start. MD works hard to get things back on track, and does so with subtle changes in tempo to increase excitement. Great build and thumping last few bars.
Overall: Very listenable take on the Verdi this, despite the error count.
Star Player: The solo cornet was a fine leader and solo voice.
Westoe, Jason Smith, North of England, 4
A well controlled opening lays out the path of destiny for Westoe helped by a brisk tempo. It works well, even though the tremelos wobbled somewhat.
Agitato seems curiously relaxed. Why MD? All that well placed energy has gone. Odd. Andante to follow is OK, but the drama has been lost.
Great sounding bass/euph sounds are heard as we finally gain momentum and energy. MD then opts for an accel than brake pedal approach — why? Don't quite understand the approach despite a bravura finish.
Overall: An odd interpretatation this. Started well, but then took a few wrong turns.
Star Player: A quality euph made the most of the chance to shine.
Broxburn & Livingston, Charlie Farren, Scotland, 3
Brisk opening chords and the splits to follow will cost — just a few too many for comfort. Andantino flows but not without issues. Flugel shines — a lovely melancholic sound.
Allegro Agitatao is scrappy with detail lost in places. This is exciting, but a bit too raw in places. Andante — ouch!
Allegro balance is scrappy and MD is working hard to keep this on track. It just about comes off with bold ending.
Overall: On the limiter this. Some nice moments but too scrappy and insecure.
Star Player: The flugel was a class apart with a great sound.
Ratby Co-operative, Michael Fowles, Midlands, 2
An excellent start — a real statement of faith and intent. Very exciting Allegro follows with clear detail. Super balance and clean triplets from lower brass.
More quality with great dynamic contrasts at Allegro Agitato. Just loses focus towards close in semis but Andante to follow is top notch.
Allegro is scrappy but gets back on track. Odd tempo change at H but it carries to the end with controlled excitement and touch of red blooded agression.
Overall: A very good marker this that might stick around for a long time today.
Star Player: Basses take bow. Your earned your beer money
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), Gareth Ritter, Wales, 1
Good opening chords thump out, but the tuning issues that follow and the little clips just take the gloss off. The cornet/trom are not together at andantino and with the clip count rising, this needs to find a compact focus.
Much better through the Agitato and everything slots into place. The Andante con prima is scrappy though.
Allegro to end is uneven in the basses and the detail is lost. Staedy tempo, but its on the limit. Fine close.
Overall: Just lacked the drama and intensity due to the high error count.
Star Player: Percussion team played their part to the full.
