Test Piece:
Suite for Brass — John Rutter, arranged Sandy Smith
Adjudicators:
Stan Lippeatt and Kevin Wadsworth
Commences after the Fourth Section
Live comments:
University of Warwick, Simon Hogg, 19
Region: Midlands
A-Roving:
It’s not a bad opening section with plenty of vibrant playing from the ensemble. Lots of energy and its pacy to say the least. It’s certainly roving around.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Very relaxed and easy going young lass this and her character is well displayed. A very simple approach seems to work well and despite the odd clips its well played and persuasive.
O Waly Waly:
Once again we like the style, but on this occasion the slips are more noticeable and it does detract from the musical picture. Like the approach though.
Dashing Away:
Controlled playing this with plenty of detail on show. It just starts to get tired as we approach the end, but the music comes through and it holds it own right to final bar.
Overall:
Not a bad one on a day when there were plenty of the same standard. The appeal may come in the stylistic approach of the MD though.
Star player:
Principal Cornet Matthew Schnipirin was a student prince.
Mellingriffith City of Cardiff, Gareth Ritter, 18
Region: Wales
A-Roving:
Lots of spirit and drive but it doesn’t always come off. A good close though.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Good feel to the music – flirty and relaxed. Nice sounds in general and well done sop.
O Waly Waly:
Nice and calming. So peaceful this. Well done sop again.
Dashing Away:
Be careful… some moments just detract. Not a bad close to this though!
Overall:
A decent show that will hold its own.
Star player: Soprano Alex Rees – quality stuff form the youngster.
Littleport Brass, Nigel Bramley, 17
Region: London & SC
A-Roving:
Tales a while to settle due to some nerves, but when it does the re’s some really nice stuff going on. Nicely closed off.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
A nice style in general with plenty of flirtyness. A few uncertainties though around the stands.
O Waly Waly:
Some nice cornet work leads to some nice ensemble sounds. Really good stuff here.
Dashing Away:
It seems a bit rushed for us and lacks that important detail. A pity.
Overall: A decent effort that lacked quality at times. Nervy too.
Star player: Principal Cornet – Ryan Goodall – well done son!
Blaenavon Town, Lyndon Price, 16
Region: Wales
A-Roving:
A neat and tidy opening paved the way for a decent opening section. Some fine plating around the stands.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Plenty of fun to be had with the Welsh boys being teased by a little Welsh flirt. A shame about the ending though.
O Waly Waly:
Back on track and this flows along with ease. Nicely done MD and band.
Dashing Away:
Quick, slick, neat and tidy. Not always hits the mark though.
Overall:
A show that had its moments but some nasty moments detracted.
Rockingham, Frank Hoyland, 15
Region: Yorkshire
A-Roving:
Very full on – right from the opening bars but it is effective and commendable..
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
It certainly has the fun element – it’s got that dirty flirty stuff too. Some nice playing.
O Waly Waly:
This is very relaxed and at ease. It’s just a shame there’s a wobble in the odd solo line.
Dashing Away:
There’s plenty of quality on offer with more energy. All this makes for a performance that closed out well.
Overall:
Some decent sections but a few too many loose moments for us.
Star player: Principal cornet Lisa Thorpe was classy.
Verwood Concert Brass, David Johnson, 14
Region: West of England
A-Roving:
Real solid stuff to open which is a movement full of energy, conviction and drive as well as the necessary music. Quality this.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
More of the same here as well and with the character of the flirty woman coming right out in the music. Nicely shaped and executed. Promises much.
O Waly Waly:
It carries on in the same vein too. Control, lyrical and tuneful and the MD draws the music out with a delicate feel. Impressive.
Dashing Away:
The standard continues right to the end. Quick, slick and just about error free too. This was a fine close to an equally fine performance.
Overall:
A real top quality one that we have been waiting for a long time to move ahead of the field. They will be very pleased with their efforts we are sure.
Star Player:
Jonathan Bowden on principal cornet lead a very impressive team on the day.
Annan Town APD, David Shanks, 13
Region: Scotland
A-Roving:
It’s a touch hit and miss in places and it takes a bit of time to settle. Gets stronger to end but not the greatest of openings this.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Once we get going it has its moments, but she’s not a real head turner. A shame as there are moments when everything drops into place too.
O Waly Waly:
The best movement so far with extended moments when they capture the essence of the music. Too many little annoying blips and mistakes though.
Dashing Away:
It’s gone a little wayward and untidy now. The music never seems to be at ease and it’s a bit of a fight to get to the end. It sounded very tired to close.
Overall:
One that never quite settled into a performance that will feature in the prizes for us. May struggle.
Star Player:
Sop player Euan Duff was a bit of a star amid the problems.
Brighton & Hove City Brass, Matthew Hackett, 12
Region: London & SC
A-Roving:
A fully committed movement full of energy and drive from the middle. Decent playing this but not without the odd scratchy moment.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Continues well with plenty of flirtatious fun on Brighton Pier adds to the atmosphere.
O Waly Waly:
Effective stuff. There are glitches though along the way but it’s easy on the ear. Some dodgy solo lines to finish.
Dashing Away:
An uncomfortable ‘dash’ this. For some reason it just didn’t seem to click together in this section.
Overall:
Another brave effort that had its moments but never really fulfilled its ambition.
Star player: Principal Cornet Martin Buss led from the front.
Billingham Silver, V. Evans, 11
Region: North of England
A-Roving:
Takes a while to settle this. It’s a touch nervy in places and not together. A nice close to this section though.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
A few more uncertain moments which is a shame becomes there’s lots of quality on show.
O Waly Waly:
This is there best playing so far. The band seem totally relaxed now and there’s some lovely sounds around the stands. Very nice on the ear.
Dashing Away:
Not without its problems again but the band survives more than the odd tricky moment.
Overall
A brave effort that suffered from some nervy moments.
Star player: Solo cornet Gill Tyrell held things together well.
Matlock, Roger Jepson, 10
Region: Midlands
A-Roving:
It’s a very steady tempo employed by the MD to open and it brings out all the required detail. The energy is there under the surface and there is a deceptive feel to this which is enjoyable.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Some lovely playing here. It’s full of fun and flirtation with a light touch to the style too. Well done basses and soprano – both are a classy feature.
O Waly Waly:
More refined playing and very effective it is too. The approach suits the music and the MD just allows the music to flow and develop without undue pressure. Nice.
Dashing Away:
Continues to build with a persuasive momentum. A good tempo, not too quick allows the music to speak clearly. A fine end to the proceedings too.
Overall:
Enjoyed this and it could well feature highly. Style is the important thing though – will the men in the box really like it? If they do it’s in with a big shout.
Star Player: Derek Swindell on soprano added a touch of refined quality to the top of the band.
Eagley, Gareth Westwood, 9
Region: North West
A-Roving:
Full of character right from the start. Lots of pace and energy with plenty of good ensemble and individual playing on show.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Full of musical flow on a hot summer’s day with a Lancashire lass that is really turning the heads. All presented with effective dynamics and attention to detail too.
O Waly Waly:
So well laid out by the MD with lots of detail, time and space. Great middle of the band sounds too.
Dashing Away:
Some fine playing to be heard from just about every stand in the band. This is played with flair and polish and all at a high tempo too.
Overall:
Not a bad one at all. Keeps up the overall standard of playing we have heard today. A few hiccups, but they may not prove that costly.
Star Player: Martyn Walsh on cornet was a stand out performer for the band today. Bravo!
Dalkeith and Monkontonhall, Jim Chamberlain, 8
Region: Scotland
A-Roving:
A movement that has a real good feel to it this. Music comes to the fore with lots of detail and directed with authority by MD.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Lots of fun and flirty looks from a real Scottish darling. It done with a lovely sense of tasteful style too. Thoughtful and tasteful this.
O Waly Waly:
Some lovely playing so well delivered. Lots of time and space to let the music flow – and it pays dividends.
Dashing Away:
More good playing in what is turning into a little cracker. Clean, energetic and it all comes to a fine climax and close too.
Overall:
Really enjoyable this. It could well feature if the men in the box go for the very individual style. Interesting.
Star Player:
Anna Conway on cornet. Flew the Scottish flag with pride and purpose.
Hangleton, Matthew Pollard, 7
Region: London & SC
A-Roving:
It’s a bit hit and miss this to start and not always together. The style is right but the execution wasn’t in the same class.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Alas – more of the same. Great style but the execution lets it down – a pity. The odd wobble here and there also detracts – again, a real pity as it could have been a real corker.
O Waly Waly:
Best movement so far and at last the gremlins are gone – just. It’s taken so long to really settle this one.
Dashing Away:
More good stuff – bright and breezy and just the right style with a minimal error count. A fine end.
Overall:
One that took so long to really take off that it won’t feature. If only the opening movements were as good as the closing ones they would be right up there today.
Star Player:
Christine Nonoo on cornet held things together really well despite the blips around here.
Flookburgh, John Iveson, 6
Region: North of England
A-Roving:
Some good playing is on show here, but clips do detract in places. A pity that as it gels together to close in fine style.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Nicely done this too, with a restrained feel from the lady to entice the men. It’s not over the top flirting – just the odd come on. Well done this.
O Waly Waly:
Very gentle and easy on the ear. This is so relaxed and well played just in the right style.
Dashing Away:
Not the smoothest style or execution by any means, but the job is done. Doesn’t quite work for us this one.
Overall:
One that had its moments here and there, but the last movement may well cost them valuable points.
Star Player:
Derek Horne on cornet did a fine job on his and most other peoples parts!
Oldham (Lees), John Collins, 5
Region: North West
A-Roving:
A musical start that has the right enjoyable feel and is well defined too. Tight and precise playing this.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
The fun element is there for all to hear. Bass is so well plucked just like a double bass and the soprano leads the way to a fine close.
O Waly Waly:
Some excellent lyrical playing, very refined and delightful on the ear. There is the odd moment of unease but sop does so well to close.
Dashing Away:
Nicely played with a sensible tempo but containing plenty of energy right through to a classy close.
Overall:
A good show this one. It had the odd moment that may leave the door open, but another high class show.
Star Player: Ben Hirons on soprano did a sterling job.
Pemberton Old JJB B, Peter Ashley, 4
Region: North West
A-Roving:
Good opening section is full of confident playing – really assured stuff all round. There is the odd blip here and there but it doesn’t take the shine off a good start.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Full of mischief and fun and it works so well with a deft touch form the MD. A bit of a head turner this young lady for sure.
O Waly Waly:
Some really nice slow melody playing is on show here with dynamics well presented too. Detail and precision and a good old sop too.
Dashing Away:
Euph leads the way in high tempo bit of home cleaning and ironing. Music moves swiftly but it retains its shape right through to the end.
Overall:
Another good show from what is starting to be a high class contest. Lots of quality here too.
Star player: Martin Halliwell on soprano was the pick of some impressive players on show here.
Wellington (Telford), Stephen Curtis, 3
Region: Midlands
A-Roving:
Basic opening statements are all effective and the music moves with plenty of fun and freedom. It’s nicely done this with good control from the middle.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Very flirty – just what is required from the young miss. Charming style and execution too. Impressive.
O Waly Waly:
Nicely shaped slow movement with lots of good playing from all around the stand. Soprano was a rare delight!
Dashing Away:
Very steady tempo brings the detail out but just perhaps needed a bit more verve. Nothing rushed and it is very precise right to the end.
Overall:
This may well make a real impression in the box if they enjoy the more steady pace of each of the movements. The marker perhaps?
Bath Spa, David Hayward, 2
Region: West of England
A-Roving:
Some nice playing to open which is full of life and character. There is the odd uncertain moment here and there but overall a good start.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Lots of life in the playing and we can hear a real shimmer to the string writing. Effective playing that is well directed and managed.
O Waly Waly:
Opens well with the main tune delivered with real style and finesse. Lots of colour, dynamics and fine close.
Dashing Away:
Everything moves along in fine style with a real sense of flow and vibrancy. Good stuff this all the way to an effective close.
Overall:
Not a bad one at all. It got better and better as it went along.
Star player:
Phil Williams on cornet was a fine solo voice and delivered the goods.
Garforth, Steven Bailey, 1
Region: Yorkshire
A-Roving:
Some lively tasteful playing is nice and jolly. Full of spirit this although the odd blip just takes the gloss off.
I have a bonnet trimmed with blue:
Very effective playing this – light and full of spirit. Plucky is the word for it! Bass works well and soprano shines throughout.
O Waly Waly:
Very musical in its execution this with assistant principal cornet a fine solo voice. Lovely end to a well controlled bit of playing.
Dashing Away:
Like this again. Full of just the right feel, full of life and workaday spirit. Neatly done right to the effective close.
Overall:
A good old marker this one. Don’t think the band could have been able to play better off the dreaded number 1 spot.
Star player: Terry Casey on soprano was the pick of some pretty good ‘uns with this one.
