Spanish Hall
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am

Test Piece: An Epic Symphony – Percy Fletcher
Adjudicators: Geoffrey Whitham, Peter Roberts

What do we think?
A very enjoyable contest with a standard that has been very high. A lot of good performances but SWT Woodfalls by a comfortable margin for us. Camborne should make it into the top three with Northop, and we opt for Milnrow, Newbridge and Marsden to make up the top six.

1. SWT Woodfalls
2. Camborne
3. Northop
4. United Co-op Milnrow
5. Newbridge
6. Marsden

Live Comments

Live comments by Dave Tinker

Camborne Town, Frank Renton, 18

1. A fine opening full of authority and detail. Troms and solo cornet shine and there is a flow to the music. Troms end the movement that made real musical sense.

2. Super opening is full of atmosphere.Bravo solo cornet and sop and euph follow n same style. Gets a bit edgy in places but the musical picture is so well drawn. A fine ending.

3. Bang on the button this – it has a flow and sense of heroic style. There is something in reserve for a real grandiose end.

Overall: Well worth waiting for this. Should feature highy come the announcement of the results.

Blackburn and Darwen, Nick Sheppard, 17

1. Confident opening has troms and solo cornet playing in just the right style. Just gets edgy in places but trombones bring things back on track to fine close.

2. Elegy has right feeling but not all solo lines deliver the goods how they would have wanted. It’s gone a little bland and on the safety first side

3. Bright and bouncy march with slightly strident dynamics. There is a lot of good playing going on but it’s not quite heroic or grandiose in style. Recovers to a fine close though.

Overall: Another confident performance that should hold its own today but not quite up there wit the best.

Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery, Graham O'Connor, 16

1. There is a real air of authority about this opening movement. This is solid no nonsense stuff and much the better for it. A good ending

2. Flowing style and soloists play with a nice sense of phrasing. The musicality though it let down by some very poor intonation that spoils a good movement.

3. Opening has fine contrast but cornets are tending to get a little harsh. MD keeps it flowing but that stamp of class is just missing. Regains itself for a fine ending though

Overall: Lots to admire and enjoy but will the third movement cost them a few to many places.

Beaumaris, Gwyn Evans, 15

1. Stylish opening is well controlled – we hear classy troms followed by delicate flugel and quality solo cornet. This has a stamp of good preparation about it and closes in style.

2. Slight uncertainty to start but it recovers with solid solo contributions. There is plenty of detail to be heard and this has been nicely shaped by the MD.

3. Confident playing this with plenty of contrasts ad detail. Losses focus and gets unexpectedly heavy handed at times. It losses some of its grandiose feel as the band obviously tires. Gains a second wind for a robust close.

Overall: An enjoyable account this. One that could catch the ear of the men in the box if they like the approach.

Chester Le Street Riverside, Ian Robinson, 14

Sorry for the delay

1. Good opening but it does sound a little aggressive. Good troms and lovely solo cornet really show class. Ending just lacked cohesion.

2. Opening isn’t balanced but once again all solo lines play with real quality. Just gets a touch muddled and the ending dies somewhat.

3. Plenty of spirit and fire, but just more control needed. It’s a stylish march that just tends to be on the aggressive side. Bold ending has real purpose.

Overall: a decent show this with fine soloists but the aggression may be costly

Old Silkstone, Alan Exley, 13

1. Opening movement is played with real conviction. A little harsh in style but solo cornet does very well. Bass trom mis-pitches? Closes with a neat sense of finality.

2. Opens well but solo lines sound hesitant and uncertain. MD drags band back on to road to recovery and it settles with confidence right to the end.

3. Tempo is fine but troms are wayward in style and balance. This sounds way to aggressive for us – lacks heroic feel. Final section has completely lost focus now and it ends with a scrappy close.

Overall: One third of this was very good but two-thirds was only average.

SWT Woodfalls, Dr. Nicholas Childs, 12

1. An opening of style and quality execution. Solo cornet has stamp of class and the music has time to breath. Ending rounds off a substantive statement of intent.

2. A class above anything we have heard so far this. Subtle shaping form ensemble and soloists. This has the real elegiac feel.

3. Controlled tempo allows the ensemble to sound heroic and grandiose. No real moments of concern and there is a touch of well placed arrogance to close.

Overall: This has been overall the most complete performance of the day so far. Comfortably ahead for us.

Northop, Thomas Wyss, 11

1. Well controlled opening and we hear excellent basses. Good troms and fine cornet. This really is a movement so well shaped by all concerned.

2. More of the same in the elegy. Soloists play with style and the MD doesn’t wallow in the tempo. This has been a distinguished piece of playing.

3. Right on the tempo and we hear the difference between the dynamic markings. Loses focus however and it takes a while to recover as cornets lose cohesion. Good recovery leads to a heroic finish.

Overall: A stylish performance of notable character and execution. A real contender.

United Co-op Crewe, Jef Sparkes, 10

1. Confident opening has plenty of detail. We like the troms and solo cornet – stylish playing. Impressive sense of confidence about this right to the close.

2. This continues with a heartfelt elegy. Top notch cornet and sop. Euph follows suit. Some of the best playing so far. Just odd clips but a well thought out movement.

3. Big and bold but under control. Percussion gets over excited – be careful! This is just getting a little aggressive and needs a touch more heroic grandeur. Great build to close but finale is overblown.

Overall: One that just fell away after promising much Could still be up there though.

Newtongrange, Paul Drury, 9

1. Fair opening needs a touch more conviction perhaps. Everything in its place but tuning in lower register is wayward. Decent close.

2. Lovely flow to the music but we just question the style in sop and solo cornet. Why the Ralls? More fine playing following and a classy touch to end.

3. Confident and bold playing. Lacks a little detail but it certainly has that grand feel about it. Just loses focus as it comes to a slightly tired ending.

Overall: Lots to enjoy but one that wasn’t quite at boiling point.

Laganvale, Ernest Ruddock, 8

1. A steady but safe opening. Troms are good but solo cornet is excellent! We sit back and enjoy the atmosphere created here. Lovely close.

2. Stylish playing – especially from solo cornet again is undermined by some terrible ensemble tuning. Soloists are doing their job but the ensemble needs to catch up. Just spoils what could have been something special.

3. Energetic March has drive and purpose but just gets a little out of hand in places. Fine sounds at times but some harshness too. Starts tire and lacks balance in the bold ending.

Overall: Very nearly a cracker but still one that may feature.

Friary Guildford, Chris King, 7

1. A well constructed opening leads to fine efforts from troms and stylish solo cornet. There is a lot to admire about this playing- especially a very neat close.

2. Opening sounds nervous and take time to settle in solo and ensemble lines. Again it’s that confidence factor comes into play. Just didn’t quite make the most of it for us.

3. Fine opening and this is much more convincing. Great technique from cornets and troms. There is a grandiose feel to the final quarter and a fine atmospheric end.

Overall: Some very good playing but the second movement lack of confidence may prove costly come the results.

Wrexham Brass, Wayne Ruston, 6

1. Opening is controlled and secure. Well done troms but elsewhere it’s a touch timid. It’s all in place but just needs a bit of a confidence boost.

2. Not balanced to start but fine solo cornet, excellent sop and secure euph add real quality. Ensemble is loose at times but it is well shaped by the MD to close.

3. Good opening has heroic feel. A touch harsh in sound as tiredness creeps in but there is good work – especially from the cornet section. Gains second wind to close.

Overall: A fair effort this but may struggle to make a significant mark.

Marsden Silver Prize (Ossett Brewery), Glyn Williams, 5

1. We sit back and enjoy this. Stylish playing with a hint of soloist panache.
Well done basses too. This had all the right elements in place.

2. Nice warm sounds and balanced dynamics are a feature. Solo lines not quite as secure this time round. The is a lovely flow to the music right to the end.

3. Stylish march sounds very vibrant. A little OTT in places and troms are loose. This is good playing despite the moments of uncertainty. A fine finish rounds of things in style.

Overall: A very good show this. Last movement may lose a few points, but this should feature.

United Norwest Co-op Milnrow, John Ward, 4

1. Good solid opening this. Well controlled troms and this has a sense of style and time. Enjoyable solo elements lead to a secure end.

2. Flowing elegy features quality cornet and sop. Euph adds touch of class. This has been a stylish and atmospheric movement.

3. A bit on the bright side this – lacks for heroic style. Everything is neatly shaped, but needs more gravitas. Exciting close is well controlled though.

Overall: One to watch. March may just cost a few valuable points.

Yorkshire Co-operative, Kevin Gibbs, 3

1. A little stodgy in pace but it’s tight and clear. Well done solo cornet but we question trom change. The ending is not secure.

2. Good opening – once more tight and clear. All we need though is more feeling – it’s a little cold. Poor tuning spoils well shaped ending.

3. Cracking stuff. Just gets a little OTT as it moves along now with heavy percussion. Neat technique, but it just gets tired towards the end.

Overall: A fluctuating performance – more pluses than minuses though.

Newbridge Celynen, Paul Holland, 2

1. Controlled opening section just gets a little too harsh. Clippy troms but lovely solo cornet. Ensemble recovers to a fine end.

2. Elegy is safe and secure. Solo lines do well – especially euph. Losses focus though at times but flows well to a fair end.

3. It’s a quick step march, but certainly exiting. Lots of good technical playing allied to neat dynamics. Secure and atmospheric end.

Overall: a good show this — one that could very well more than hold its own.

Mossley, Duncan Byers, 1

1. Nice opening movement with fine troms and solo cornet. Just gets untidy at times, although bass trom does really well. Not a bad start.

2. Tuning spoils elegy feel. Solo lines OK only, but euph does well. Just a little bland this – lacking atmosphere.

3. Confident stuff, but gets a little OTT at times. Troms come to the rescue and it has much more control now. Gets a little tired and harsh to end. A pity.

Overall: A fair marker for number one.

Withdrawn
Parc & Dare
Staines