*
banner

Brass band adjudication — simples...

If you think the current Brass in Concert adjudication system is complex, then spare a thought for the judges of yesteryear...

The judges at London 2014
 

A recent piece of correspondence to 4BR about the adjudication system currently being employed at the Brass in Concert Championship has seen us scrambling around in the history books to find out if such a ‘complex’ system of judging has ever been used before at any other major brass band contest in the UK.

http://www.4barsrest.com/comments/159.asp#.VKPBFCusUg8

Nothing new

Not surprisingly, you find that there is nothing new under the banding sun.

British Open

At the 1943 British Open, the three judges had to award separate marks for five different areas of performance on Beethoven’s ‘5th Symphony’:

Accuracy in Time Values and Notes (30 points)
Tone, Tune and Individual Intonation (50 points)
Rhythm, Phrasing, Pace and Continuity (40 points)
Balance, Blend, Ensemble (30 points)
Interpretation and General Effect (50 points)

The winners, Bickerhsaw Colliery gave ‘a masterly performance’, according to one adjudicator Henry Geehl — gaining a total of 194 marks.

Nationals

Much further back, at the 1901 National Championships of Great Britain, bands were scored in each of 10 different categories to give their overall total.

These included marks for: Ensemble; Style; Intonation (20 points each) — as well as individual marks for soprano, solo cornet, horns, baritones, trombones, euphoniums and basses (10 points with added extra points for best soprano, solo cornet and euphonium).

The winners, Lee Mount gained a remarkable 127 points on ‘Gems from Sullivan’s Opera No 3’.

At the 1943 British Open, the three judges had to award separate marks for five different areas of performance on Beethoven’s ‘5th Symphony’4BR

Simples...

It makes individual marks for Music Quality of Performance (A&B); Programme Content; Entertainment & Presentation (A&B) seem positively simple…

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Albert Hall

Albert Hall qualification reversed

August 6 • The top four bands at this year's Championship Section National Final will gain an automatic invitation to the 2026 contest.


mANGER

King leads conducting trio at Manger

August 5 • Prof David King, Magnus Brandseth and Tormod Flaten will mastermind the musical challenges of the Norwegian National Champion.


Angus

Talent showcase at NYBBGB Course

August 5 • Eight talented performers battled it out to be crowned Harry Mortimer Solo Award winner.


Tredegar

Tredegar join the Rath pack

August 5 • The trombone section of the Welsh Champion are now ambassadors for Rath Trombones.


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 8 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham GL51 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 15 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL52 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Elland Silver Band

August 5 • Are seeking a SOLO CORNET player and a 3rd CORNET player to complete our line up for our exciting autumn / winter season of concerts & contests. Rehearsals are Monday & Thursday evenings 8 -10pm at our bandroom in Elland HX5 9AZ.


wantage silver band

August 5 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have a vacancy for a BASS PLAYER, Eb or Bb. The band are ideally looking for an experienced player but are committed to giving younger players opportunities. There are always openings to teach and conduct at WSB too.


Petworth Town Band

August 4 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for BASS TROMBONE, CORNET and TUBA. We are an active band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome new players to join us and our happy band of players.


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd