Pavilion Theatre
Draw: 10.00am
Commence: 11.00am

Test Piece: Elgar Variations — Martin Ellerby
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, Chris Wormald

What do we think?

A piece of music that certainly tested the bands. For us though the cream should come to the top in the shape of EYMS coming out as winners with Skelmanthorpe and Pemberton in the mix. Behind them we plumb for Stocksbridge, Ratby and Wire.

1. EYMS
2. Skelmanthorpe
3. Pemberton
4. Stocksbridge
5. Ratby
6. Wire Brass

Live Comments

Live comments by Malcolm Wood.

Dalmellington, Archie Hutchison, 19

Full blooded opening this if a touch overdone. Solo lines have few blips but the music does come through when given the chance. It’s crying out for dynamic contrast though. The exuberant dynamics are a feature of this one! When it’s good it very good but once again it’s the over powerful playing that spoils it for us.

Overall: Had potential but just cried out for subtlety to give it a chance.

Bactiguard Wire Brass, Paul Andrews, 18

Bold and assertive – could just do with a little less in the dynamic. Cornet work is nice with good delivery. MD lets things flow in what is an energetic performance. We’d just like it a little quieter at times. This band has a nice sound and it’s relaxed. Detail gets lost at times. Euph does well and once more there’s lots to admire. It flows nicely though to a fine closing section.

Overall: A good one this. The tempo and dynamic was an issue at times but a nice reading.

Aldbourne, Melvin White, 17

Excellent opening with a real sense of control about it. MD lets the music flow – it’s so effective and the detail shines through. The fine playing continues (with the odd clip) and the solo lines and the ensemble is good. This seems so controlled and nothing is overdone. Continues in same vein to the end.

Overall: Very refined and musical. Great dynamics also.

Ashton under Lyne, Carl Whiteoak, 16

Opening is well handled. Some good playing although the tempos are a touch on the bright side. Ensemble is very refined and musical. There is some nice playing on show here. Euph is so tasteful and the ensemble is well handled. Again we get a bright tempo but the music does evolve effectively. Closing section is well delivered.

Overall: A performance that had lots to admire.

Unison Kinneil, Colin McKenzie, 15

A touch overdone for us to start. Cornet line is nice and paves the way for an effective section. Nice tempos and ensemble is secure. A few clips but nothing too major. MD lets the music flow and this has a nice feel to it. Euph does well and there plenty of good stuff around the stands. It’s restrained and not overblown. Good stuff. Closing section has a lovely warmth to it. Powerful and purposeful to the end.

Overall: Plenty to admire from the band. An enjoyable one for us.

Fishburn, Ray Farr, 14

Opening is nicely handled and cornet does well. The MD ups the tempo but not all the detail is heard. Now it comes through… some quality stuff. Flugel work is well shaped and the music flows well – it’s a touch on the loud side for us though. Euph is effective and the ensemble work compliments. Nicely done. The end has a touch of elegance. Restrained and effective.

Overall: A decent show this with moments of real quality.

Bo'ness and Carriden, Mike Marzella, 13

Decent opening and the cornet line is tastefully done. Ensemble work is commendable but the tempo seems on the quicker side. Music flows nicely – it’s delightful on the ear at times. Great dynamics. Well done euph and the ensemble is again well managed. Flug and cornet also do well. Some nice playing again in the final section – a nice feeling of restraint about this.

Overall: A fine effort with many quality moments.

East Yorkshire Motor Services, Frans Violet, 12

A very impressive opening. Full of detail and the MD allows the musical lines to flow. Great tempo. Effective trombones – the ensemble work is so well delivered and is so tight. The Elgar is vivid. The detail continues. Lots of contrast and the dynamics are so well observed. Euph does well and lovely ensemble to be heard. Closing section maintains the quality.

Overall: A show of real quality by both band and MD. Right up there.

Besses o' th' Barn, John North, 11

Not 100 percent to start – the dots aren’t joined. The solo lines are admirably played but with a degree of nervousness. Plenty of good moments but they are not making sound easy! Well done euph – just a shame that everything doesn’t click into gear. Runs out of steam towards the end.

Overall: A performance that never really got off the ground or sounded at ease.

Lindley, Neil Jowett, 10

Very steady to open. There are a few clips but it remains steady in its approach and is sensible… then the tempo goes a bonkers and the detail goes AWOL. The quiet stuff is good though and the euph is a real star. This continues so well. Why get so harsh in the louder stuff?

Overall: Another mixed bag – some nice playing overshadowed by some OTT dynamics in places.

Bournemouth Concert, Jonathan Camps, 9

A touch overdone for us to start but it soon hits the mark. Some very nice musical moments but it too often gets a little raw at the higher dynamic. Lots of fine moments and the euph does well in the lead lines. The harshness returns though – a real shame.

Overall: Mixed bag this one. Some great lyrical lines but the harshness was a problem for us.

Cwmaman Institute Silver, David Evans, 8

Decent opening is a touch nervy. Settles though with some nice playing. Cornet does well but there’s some detail missing in the lower end. It loses its way a touch but soon gets back on track – well done euph and cornets do well in exposed lines. The music flows nicely through to a steady if not overly intense final section.

Overall: Had its moments this – just a shame some of the detail was missing at times.

Jaguar (Coventry), David Lea, 7

A decent opening if a touch nervy. It settles with some nice playing — well done cornet. Detail is lost a little in the bright tempo especially in the lower end. It looses its way a little but is soon back on track with some good euph work. Well done cornets in exposed sections. The final section flows nicely and is never intensely indulgent.

Overall; had its moments this but not always 100 percent. Perhaps the tempos affected the clarity and detail for us.

Ratby Co-operative, Brett Baker, 6

Excellent to open – loads of detail to be heard. Lovely approach to the music and the solo lines do well. Ensemble work is generally good and the flugel shines. The quality does come through. A nice approach to the music this. Euph does well and there’s much refinement in the playing. Lots of nice contrasts evident in the fine closing section.

Overall: Good stuff – lots to commend throughout.

Kingdom Brass, Craig Anderson, 5

Steady opening with some neat playing. A few clips take the edge off here and there. Tempo is steady and detail does come through. Euph does well in solo passage but some of the ensemble playing is not totally convincing. Cornet does well and the MD works hard to keep it together towards the end.

Overall: Different this. Some good stuff and some noticeable problems.

Knottingley Silver, Robin Morgan, 4

Opening not alawys effective – it lacks security. It’s all a bit nervy. Cornet does ok but the detail doesn’t always come through. Lead lines again lack security and precision. It’s steady stuff but not always 100 percent. Not always together and seems a bit of a struggle as it moves to a conclusion.

Overall: A brave attempt that suffered from nerves and inconsistency throughout.

Pemberton Old Wigan JJB, Mark Peacock, 3

Really nice opening – detail is evident, Nice cornet line. Tempos are slick but detail remains – some refined playing and great dynamics. Euph impresses in solo. Ensemble work is compact. Cornet is so expressive supported by lovely ensemble. Final section remains musical to the very end.

Overall: Very musical throughout – some lovely playing on show here.

Skelmanthorpe, John Roberts, 2

Great opening. So tight and lots of detail in evidence. Cornet line is well executed ( just the one blip) and the ensemble is so well drilled. This is musical. Great troms and the music continues to be beautifully played – Elgar is shining through. Euph solo is effective and again the ensemble impresses. Cornet is angelic. The quality remains around the stands to the end.

Overall: Bravo – some fabulous playing here. Great ensemble and tempos.

Stocksbridge, David Nesbitt, 1

A bold opening is effective. Cornet line has elegance. Full on approach continues – some very effective plating on show. Flugel is tasteful. Elsewhere is tight. Euph solo is secure and the ensemble remains solid and secure. Tempo is brisk and there are a few clips in lead lines but the quality is always there to the end.

Overall: Good marker with some good playing. Dynamics impressed and the performance had lots of character.

Withdrawn:

Glossop Old