The Opera House
Draw: 9.00am
Commence: 10.00am

Test Piece: Vienna Nights — Philip Wilby
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Major Peter Parkes

What do we think?
A contest within a contest within a contest!
There were four bands in it for us with Leyland just edging Tredegar into second with Reg Vardy and GUS close behind. Don’t be surprised if it goes to any of these though.

Slipping into fifth we plump for Stockport and sixth it could be Wingates with BTM a dark horse.

1. Leyland
2. Tredegar
3. Reg Vardy
4. Virtuosi GUS
5. Stockport
6. Wingates / BTM

Live comments

Live comments by Mark Bousie

Staffordshire, Simon Kerwin 20

Up tempo opening has effective contrasts but the detail seems muddied. The variations in style are set out there is a smooth café scene. Well done flugel horn and there is a lot of control on show. Just loses security in places but tuba is a restrained voice. Gallop wobbles and takes a time to settle. Not everything comes off in duets and solos and the balance goes AWOL in troms. Good build to finale but we lose clarity in the rush to the finish.

Overall: A solid performance and reading from MD – this could just surprise a few.

Burry Port Town, Nigel Seaman 19

A neat and tidy start and we hear the differences between the Mozart/Wilby episodes. Intonation does grate at times but a decent café scene works well. A lack of pace perhaps in places but it is executed with clarity. This carries on before a quality tuba solo is just marred by discomfort in ensemble accompaniment. More solid playing in duets and solo lines and build to finale is well handled. Turkish romp is a bit messy but it all ends with a commanding closing relish.

Overall: A bit of a mixed bag but there was something about this performance that stuck in the mind.

Freckleton, Paul Dalton 18

Safe opening has shape but lacks the real contrast between Mozart/Wilby episodes. Great café scene leads to fine duets and neat crosstalk variation. Tuba plays well but sop is unlucky – this just struggles really to come to life. There is plenty of good solid playing on show in all departments, but nothing quite to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. The drive to the finale is well paced but it just needs a touch more pace in the Turkish romp. Good climax to close though.

Overall: This has been a decent well worked performance which should hold its own.

Newstead Brass, Duncan Beckley 17

Good start has flow and contrast. Not everything comes off in the duo of styles – it’s all a little one dimensional in dynamic and tempi. It cries out for more contrast. Bold sounding tuba soloist leads to neat gallop. Notturno just lacks that touch of magic. The build to finale is neatly dealt with and fugue is held firmly in place right to a strong conclusion.

Overall: A solid enough performance lacking for us a little in finesse – and that could be costly today.

Aveley & Newham, Nigel Taken 16

A secure start has quality sounds although some of the detail seems lost. The Mozart phrasing isn’t our cup of tea but it may appeal in the box. The Wilby episodes are not always 100 percent clear and dynamically it is on the safe side. Again the Mozart style? We applaud the risk taking and some of the solo work but they are going out on a limb. Some great sounds in ensemble back some well played solo and duet lines. Build to finale seems a touch pedantic but then it’s a Turkish turbo charge. This seems a little overcooked to us but you have to admire the technique on display especially the xylophone. Big finish rounds things off in style.

Overall: The risky approach may signal success or failure dependant upon taste.

Kibworth, Gary Wyatt 15

Solid start but there is a lack of detail apparent. We hear the Mozart but not so much the Wilby. There is a sense of style about the playing especially in a fine café scene, and bravo flugel and horn duet. Fluctuates in quality after this with fine tuba noted. Scruffy gallop and some nervy following solos highlight weaknesses. It all lacks atmosphere. Good build to finale but this has lost balance and style. Recovers to a strong end.

Overall: A touch more finesse and detail and this could have been a contender. It may struggle to make a mark.

Leyland, Jason Katsikaris 14

Real detail and colour at opening and the first to capture the terrifying climax. Little slips do not detract as yet and some of the Wilby episodes are truly thrilling. Fine café scene and a tuba soloist of the highest quality before gallop. More quality on show from here on in, with a tasteful sense of restraint that touches the right amount of sentimentality. Build to finale is superb and the fugue is played with a rip roaring sense of Turkish character right to the climactic end.

Overall: The stamp of quality here and a band that has played to the top of its form. Another at the very sharp end.

Sovereign Brass, David Maplestone 13

Some great shapes are evident to open, but not all Mozart/Wilby detail is heard with clarity. Lovely stylish café scene leads to some excellent flugel and horn playing. Percussion has a real off moment which brings potential disaster to loom. Thankfully it’s averted by a first class tuba. It’s a little hit and miss now and notturno is a mixed bag. Neat build and Turkish romp is edge of seat stuff. Fine finish too.

Overall: A 4BR curates egg if ever there was one! Some great moments and some…

Reg Vardy, Allan Ramsay 12

Fine sounding opening has Mozart and Wilby styles to a tee. There are moments of untidiness but overall this is high class playing. Well done flugel and fine sop. Spoke too soon? Gallop is a mess but does eventually recover. There is a lot of well-blended playing on show and solos/duets are played with conviction. Build to finale has a terrific sense of purpose and the Turkish romp is just that!

Overall: A most convincing performance this. Small clips and one nasty moment, but still up at the sharp end for us.

Thoresby Colliery, Stan Lippeatt 11

A big start lacks a little detail but the Mozart/Wilby episodes are nicely styled. Some of the quality of sound and intonation just robs the atmosphere, before all settles in the café. The tuba does very well but the scrappy edges around the band still persist. This is a real mixed bag of both good and bad. The Turkish ending is well paced and it continues to the close.

Overall: Some good moments but we think it may just struggle to feature today.

Pennine Brass, Huw Thomas 10

Jackets off for Pennine. Solid start just lacks clarity at times. We hear the Mozart and Wilby – both of which are well negotiated. Stylish Café leads to secure duets and fine crosstalk section. Nice restrained playing and musical soloists feature well. Poor Gallop leads to nicely shaped solo features and stylish duets. Drive to finale is just spoiled by over-eager bass trom. Fugue is busy and neat and it all comes to a well observed climax.

Overall: A very creditable performance that just lacked a touch of colour and contrast.

Tredegar, Ian Porthouse 9

Super opening has colour and contrasts of Mozart and Wilby. Just the odd moment takes the shine off high class playing. We hear the Wilby effects and very cool café scene. Fine soloists and some thrilling technique on show. The odd slip again appears but there is detail and technique by the bucket load. Bold soloists lead to duets of sentimental elegance — again little blips though. Great build to finale which is Mozart off a shovel in speed – just holds together to a very fine close.

Overall: Top quality performance and reading from MD – right up there with GUS for us.

Tongwynlais Temperance, Gareth Pritchard 8

Good clean start captures both Mozart and Wilby elements – there are slips but a cool café is spot on. Duets don’t quite match and tuning in sop is noticeably sharp. Messy gallop but recovers with excellent xylophone. Exciting stuff this. Quality solo lines leads to a restrained notturno. Good build to finale but fugue just sounds a touch tired, but a decent close.

Overall: A number of really great moments, but just in need of a touch more consistency to be right up there?

BTM (PHS), Nigel Boddice 7

Healthy start is clean and tidy but there are the odd moments of inconsistency. Small blips and clips just detract but flugel and horn are excellent. Quality playing from here on in with fine tuba soloist. Solos and duets contan the odd slip or two but this is well shaped by the MD. Good build to finale, but this is a touch on the brutal side to start. It does however lead to a rousing climax.

Overall: A very consistent performance this. Noticeable clips but nothing that detracted from a good show.

Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel, William Rushworth 6

Intonation spoils solid opening. We hear the contrasts, but we need more delicacy in the Mozart. The café is a bit accident prone but secure duets bring things back on track. It’s too aggressive at times, although the solo lines are secure. No musical theatre – all soloists seated but it is solid enough. Good build to finale, but this is real edge of seat stuff. Certainly exciting to close.

Overall: A bit hit and miss but certainly made an impression.

Virtuosi GUS, John Berryman 5

Fine sounding ensemble and most detail is heard. Mozart/Wilby elements are well defined and we hear a cool life led by super sop. Great duet from flugel and second horn. This is good stuff so far. More quality work follows with neat gallop leading to a restrained solo/duet work in notturno. Build to finale is well maintained but fugue takes time to get going. Picks up pace to a rousing Turkish delight of a finish.

Overall: A very enjoyable performance this – The leader so far for us and could be up there come the end.

Mount Charles, Andrew Duncan 4

Opening has shape and colour with Mozart/Wilby elements clear if not 100 percent. A few scrappy moments but a cool café scene. Enjoyable solo and duets leads to a rather brittle gallop. Well done baritone and noble solo elements follow. Build to finale is well judged. Turkish romp sounds great — a real rousing finish.

Overall: A sound performance this — lots to enjoy if just in need of a little more drama

Stockport Brass, Mike Fowles 3

A powerful start just seems a bit heavy handed for Mozart but ideal for Wilby. Strong technique and secure solos and ensemble. It's thrilling but occasionally loose. Unfolds with style and drama. Starts to get loose and uncomfortable to finale. Turkish romp builds and builds to a fine finish.

Overall: A very strong performance. Could make an impression this if they like the style.

Wingates, Andrew Berryman 2

Well played opening has Mozart character and Wilby contrast. Lots of detail and style and we enjoy the restrained solos and duets. Lots to admire about all the playing – a notable tuba soloist. The expressive playing is of a high quality. Build to finale is well handled that is a well paced Turkish romp.

Overall: A fine performance this – an enjoyable reading . A few clips may cost — but a good one.

Redbridge, Jeremy Wise 1

Fairly neat and tidy opening has Mozart and Wilby style well in hand. Small clips in the café leads to stylish duets and solos. Everything is neatly executed. Build to finale has insecure moments, but there is a well paced Turkish finish.

Overall: A strong performance neat and compact. Good marker to start off the contest.