The trio of adjudicators at Preston, David Read, Nigel Boddice and Chris Wormald have told 4BR that they were deeply impressed by the overall standard of playing at this year’s contest, with the top two bands, Grimethorpe and Black Dyke, particularly ‘outstanding’. The difference between the winners and runners up was what was described as ‘emotional concept’.

Weighted

In addition, both David and Chris took the opportunity to publicly state that they felt that it was perhaps appropriate for the qualification process for the European Championships to be ‘weighted’ so that both the winners and runners up this year could represent England at future events.

Nigel Boddice meanwhile told the audience that he felt composer Robert Redhead had delivered a ‘beautiful piece of music’ for the bands to play on the day, and that the was in the opinion of the judges, some ‘very fine music making form the competing bands.’

Nigel Boddice meanwhile told the audience that he felt composer Robert Redhead had delivered a ‘beautiful piece of music’ for the bands to play on the day4BR

Difficult

Nigel also went on to pinpoint the areas in which he felt the bands had been tested the most. The opening he said ‘ …was full of hymn tune playing that bands find so difficult’, whilst the Scherzo saw a number of ‘brave sopranos’, many of whom they felt were ‘exceptional’.

Taxing

Some bands though found this section ‘technically taxing’, whilst the following reflective episodes featuring both flugel and soprano came under ‘close scrutiny’.

The ‘Fun Section’ of Latin inspired dance was at times ‘easy to compare’, although they fet that there were a number of occasions when the ‘fun was lost’. The ending, was in his words, ‘just as difficult as the opening’ as tested tired bands in particular.