Test Piece:
The Saga of Haakon the Good, Philip Sparke
Adjudicators:
Melvin White & Steve Sykes
Commences: 09.30am
Live comments:
Clackmannan & District, Paul Kiernan, 17
Region: Scotland
The Future King:
Bold but insecure start (one of so many today). Expression sacrificed for safety. Doesn’t quite work despite the sense of intent and forward momentum.
Journey to Trondheim:
Big and beefy road trip this one. Pacey but slightly heavy legged. Basic problems arise that can’t be camouflaged by volume alone. Tuning is relative in places – like 3rd cousins twice removed. Gets to destination though.
The Missionary King:
A bit heart on sleeve but it’s an approach to commend. Limps along in tempo somewhat to the climax and rather unsteady duet to close.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Bold but one paced into battle. It’s colourful with plenty of the heat of battle. Freedom cry the Scots as they head back home.
Overall:
Not one that really captured the Nordic feel both musically or technically. Another performance with too many basic problems.
Star player: Kate Bolton on flugel was a solid and secure voice throughout.
Roberts Bakery, Colin Cranson, 16
Region: North West
The Future King:
Safe enough, but it lacks the expression and sense of atmosphere. It’s all in place but needs a touch of intent and forward momentum.
Journey to Trondheim:
Safety first again, but not a bad option this. Lacks the vivo brio but it’s just about all in place. Cried for detail – it’s all one dimensional. No real gear change to end.
The Missionary King:
Poor ensemble to start but euph leads well. It’s so bland though. It demands expression.! Calmo – not. MD makes such hard work of this. A struggle to close.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Moves along but it needs detail, colour and sense of battle fear – not just volume. Messy and scrappy though weak war cry and poor end.
Overall:
The safety first approach is OK but there was no plan B here so when plan A didn’t work there wasn’t much left.
Star player: Soprano – Ian Raisbeck – neat and tidy and sweet as a nut.
Glossop Old, Jon Davies, 15
Region: Midlands
The Future King:
Poor opening lacks the basics needed and so lacks expression and atmosphere. Gains momentum but it’s another that required much more than this.
Journey to Trondheim:
Takes time to find its vivo feet. The basic problems are still so evident despite the verve and pace. Lacks the detail and precision and change of gear to end.
The Missionary King:
More confident this with solid euph a fine lead. Solid and well shaped now and the emphasis is on the expressive. Fine Calmo – but insecurities then arise right to the close.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Up beat, bold and colourful as we head into battle. It is a battle against the odds though. A pirates war cry leads to a rather messy end.
Overall: Far too many basic problems throughout to make and impression despite occasional moments of musical clarity.
Star player: Marcia Furmage on flugel was a beacon of solidity.
Phoenix West Midland Brass, David Maplestone, 14
Region: Midlands
The Future King:
MD opts for atmosphere and it nearly comes off. Brave effort not to choose easy option. Builds with intensity and momentum even if there are noticeable clips.
Journey to Trondheim:
Neat lightweight vivo approach is full of brio. A pity the clips detract. Loses poise and focus in ensemble – MD you must conduct to help! Standing still has lost it’s control. A pity – it ends in a mess.
The Missionary King:
The emphasis on expression is admirable, despite the faults in the construction. It’s a brave option that so nearly comes off. Como – not quite, but builds to warm climax. Lack of security in duet to end.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Up beat and colourful for certain, but messy and error strewn too. Tired and not secure or consistent. Tried too hard to excite to end.
Overall:
You have to admire the musical option, but it meant too many basis flaws came through to undermine the picture.
Star player: Flugel – Emma Taylor – Didn’t put a foot wrong all performance.
Jersey Premier Brass, Tim Pritchard, 13
Region: London & SC
The Future King:
Insecure to start but it has atmosphere and intent. Struggles continue in the ensemble – this robs the style and forward momentum. Needs to find its feet this.
Journey to Trondheim:
Bright and breezy, but the style is undermined by insecurity and fragile execution. The same story as it continues – just fails to really come to vibrant life.
The Missionary King:
The expression is there to be enjoyed but the underlying problems continue. Fine euph leads to well shaped Calmo and cornet led climax. 2nd man and euph close confidently.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Nice approach is pacey and colourful is a little error strewn. It’s a battle alright with a fine war cry leading to a rousing old full bodied finish.
Overall: The execution never quite matched the musical intent on this one. Plenty to enjoy but undermined by too many problems.
Star player: Michael Couzan on euph – as solid as Jersey’s Jim Bergerac.
Blackburn and Darwen, Nick Sheppard, 12
Region: North West
The Future King:
Bold but scrappy opening is another that opts for safety rather than expression and atmosphere. OK – but it cries out for so much more at this level surely?
Journey to Trondheim:
Pacey but the safety first approach means blandness in detail, balance and momentum. Needs a lighter touch but it’s bold and safe though. Loses focus to end.
The Missionary King:
A cold hearted king. Needs warm expression. Solid euph leads well into Calmo which lacks the emotive content. Rather shapeless cadenzas are too matter of fact.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
More like it! All the fun of the battleground. Red in tooth and claw and takes few prisoners. Gets tied into one pace despite great war cry and rousing ending.
Overall:
A big bold old bruiser of a performance this. Plenty of muscle but it needed a lighter touch of musicality we feel to really hit the heights.
Star player: Euph — Rachel King – an apt name and performance
Helston Town, John Hitchens, 11
Region: West of England
The Future King:
Good solid start. Needs a bit more colour and atmosphere but it’s all there with good duet lines and sense of forward momentum. Neatly packaged this.
Journey to Trondheim: Bright and breezy stuff and at a vivo pace. Careful perc – it overpowers at times – side drum!. Gets a little heavy handed in places but there is admirable solidity to it all.
The Missionary King:
A bit heart on sleeve emotion but euph is fine lead and nothing much wrong with the execution. Calmo – not really and its lost emotional intensity now. Well done 2nd woman down! Solid duet closes well.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Solid if one paced. Needs a touch of colourful brio. Side drummer needs to be taken out with a well placed arrow! It obliterates. Spoils a decent old battle and ending.
Overall: A decent show of solidity this. Balance though was an issue but still not bad.
Star player: Kevin John on Euph was a fine centrepoint all through the performance.
Skelmanthorpe, John Roberts, 10
Region: Yorkshire
The Future King:
A real confident start is full of security , expression and colour. Just what is required.Solid execution is full of intent and atmosphere. This holds promise with fine solo and ensemble to start.
Journey to Trondheim:
More quality at the right bright vivo pace too. Colour and detail and the forward momentum is classily portrayed. Gets a little excited but it has real verve and drama.
The Missionary King:
Music flows and euph leads with emotive solo playing. Odd ensemble blip does not detract. Nice clamo builds with expression in solo and ensemble to fine climax. Well shaped duet rounds things off.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Run into battle is clean and full of life. Then comes the blood and guts. Controlled mayhem. Great battle cry and it ends in triumph.
Overall: An excellent performance of a fine reading. The leader and will prove hard to beat we think.
Star player: Euph – Robert Cavender – played with the stamp of quality.
Otterbourne Brass, Lt Col Chris Davis OBE, 9
Region: West of England
The Future King:
Solid opening falls fool of poor tuning and lack of atmosphere. Needs expression. Builds with momentum though and purpose.
Journey to Trondheim:
Bright and breezy, but also error strewn. It has the pace bu the insecurities in execution are obvious. MD drives the band but it remains stubbornly one paced.
The Missionary King:
Solid playing in execution but it cries out for expression. It just sounds safe but colourless. Euph is solid. Calmo – safe but not really a whisper. Rather uninspired climax. Steady duet leads to safe close.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Promising build never quite catches fire in the heat of battle. A bit of a nondescript fight this. Handbags. Even the cry needed more volume! Chugs along to the end.
Overall: A bit of a nondescript performance. Nothing much wrong but it never caught the imagination or Nordic spirit for us.
Star player: Solo Horn – Helen Davies – kept the middle of the band on track throughout.
Seindorf Beaumaris, Gwyn Evans, 8
Region: Wales
The Future King:
Secure atmospheric start has real expression. It’s not always 100 per cent in execution in places but it had purpose and musical shape. A rare thing today so far. Promising.
Journey to Trondheim:
More to enjoy if a little brittle at times. Stylish approach appeals. Has lightness and balance and the feel of forward momentum. Little clips though! Really whips to fine close. Good stuff.
The Missionary King:
Fine expression and musical shape on show despite the little clips A true Calmo builds with emotion to climax. Very musical playing in cadenzas rounds this off so well.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Vivo at last! Bold, colourful and exciting – a real fight on the cards. Fine playing in the heat of battle. Great welsh cry of the Celts rounds things superbly.
Overall:
A stylish and very enjoyable one this. Little errors may cost valuable points but it’s a challenger for honours we think.
Star player: Solo cornet – Paul Hughes – gave a quality performance from start to finish.
Kirkbymoorside Town, John Woodward, 7
Region: North of England
The Future King:
Confident opening duet is slightly lacking in expression but safe enough. Builds with intent and purpose. Solid no nonsense playing this – a touch bland in colour and atmosphere but does the job.
Journey to Trondheim:
Moves along well. Not 100 per cent but the approach is spot-on — light and breezy. Played within the bands limits – sensible stuff. Gains pace and purpose to end though.
The Missionary King:
Needs more warmth to the expression but solid euph leads well and MD allows the music to flow. Calmo – not quite, but solo cornet and euph again show quality and round things off nicely.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Needs more vivo pace perhaps but solid stuff. Into battle in third gear? Just needed more blood and guts this: Great girly screams! Fine ending rounds it off.
Overall:
One that just lacked that extra sheen of class but should more than hold its own after a solid performance.
Star player: Solo cornet – John Sails – brought all his experience to bear.
Hathern, Dave Newman, 6
Region: Midlands
The Future King:
Poor start – nothing more to say. Lacks balance, security, tuning and so it lacks atmosphere and intensity of purpose. Will need to recover quickly.
Journey to Trondheim:
Pacy but so inaccurate and error strewn. It’s bland and colourless too. Where’s the brightness and sense of lightness? Sounds very hard work this.
The Missionary King:
Heart on sleeve stuff from euph, but the ensemble fragility is so obvious. Calmo – not really. This sounds nervous and so insecure. Recovers with euph and cornet cadenza.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Up tempo battle is best playing. Needs more bite in places – lacks real sense of fearlessness. Best war cry of the day – so far! Rounds off in fine style – but why leave it so late?
Overall: One that never really caught the Nordic moods. Could well struggle today.
Star player: Euph- Graham Rix – stood out on a difficult day.
Stannington, Derek Renshaw, 5
Region: Yorkshire
The Future King:
Bold and confident by cornet and euph promises much, but it never quite unfolds as it should. There are real nasty ensemble errors on show that rob the atmosphere.
Journey to Trondheim:
The intent was there but the error count again is so high. Not really a vivo journey of bright lightness. Gets heavy handed towards the climax. The purpose was there but not the execution.
The Missionary King:
What is missing is true expression here. It’s all in place but needs more intuitive playing. Calmo – not really. Struggles to capture the emotive essence – not quite 100 per cent in cadenza.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
In need of more raw energy. Loud doesn’t mean that it has the sense of battle. Workmanlike all the way to the big ending.
Overall: Too many basic flaws in the musical picture. The intent was obvious but so too were the shortfalls.
Star player: Solo cornet – Richard Downing – led from the front and took no prisoners.
Wansbeck's Ashington Colliery, Nigel Steadman, 4
Region: North of England
The Future King:
A nervous start lacks balance and security in solo and ensemble. It lacks atmosphere and momentum. Takes time to settle into place. All rather non-descript.
Journey to Trondheim:
Needs more vivo inspired feel for the journey. A bit once paced and colourless again. Safe enough, but needs more at this level. Doesn’t want to get to its destination.
The Missionary King:
Poor ensemble work lacks expression, unlike very fine euph. Untidy foundations. Calmo not really., but well done solo cornet. Has expression at last and secure duet cadenza too ends carefully.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Not reallt a high tempo scrap this. Another one that needs a sense of fear. Big and bold but not really a battle to scare the pants off. Racey finish.
Overall:
Never really captured the Nordic sense of atmosphere and daring for us.
Star player: Euph – Richie Wallace – a classy old head throughout.
Bo'ness and Carriden, Mike Marzella, 3
Region: Scotland
The Future King:
A little lumpy to start, but builds with intensity and purpose. It does need the marked expression though, A touch chilly.
Journey to Trondheim:
Nice bright and breezy style and it’s vivo too. A few trips and clips on the journey, but it has balance and sense of purpose. It is going somewhere – nicely done.
The Missionary King:
Just needs a touch more heartfelt emotion but so nicely laid out this. Confidently delivered by euph. Calmo – not quite. All a bit workmanlike in duet and cadenza. Got there – just.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
The harmony of the Sparke music has a battle hardened edge – if a little scrappy in places. Another slightly antiseptic battle for glory despite the classy end.
Overall:
A fine rendition – but strangely for the Scots, in need of a bit more fire in the belly.
Star player: Euph – Scott Cameron – as solid as a Viking longship.
Newbridge (Celynen), Paul Holland, 2
Region: Wales
The Future King:
Confident atmospheric start not without clips though. Builds with the momentum required with solid duets. Muted sop? Decent start?
Journey to Trondheim:
A sensible pace is set and a pleasant journey is laid out. Balance in ensemble not always right and annoying clips do detract at times.
The Missionary King:
Persuasive playing has expression. Euph a littler clippie but warm, as is the cornet. Calmo – quiet but not really as intended. Good duet cadenzas set up things nicely.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Purposeful battle scene has pace and intent. It’s those little errors though! Not quite X rated stuff but a fair old fight to the end, with a welsh cry of hwyl!
Overall:
A decent show full of purpose and intent. The high error count may just cost valuable points though.
Star player: Bass Trom – Julian Kerrell – a good old Viking warrior.
Ipswich and Norwich Co-op, Robin Norman, 1
Region: London & SC
The Future King:
Atmospheric start builds the intensity. Euph and solo cornet do well but there are slips that detract.
Journey to Trondheim:
Purposeful trek north – not quite at a lively pace. A pleasant journey – but not always balanced and seems rather colourless.
The Missionary King:
Seems to need more expression. Not really heart on sleeve stuff but euph does well. Calmo – not quite despite decent solo voices in duet cadenza.
The Battle of Rastarkalv:
Not really a blood and guts battle. Somewhat polite Vikings. Moves along in ‘harmony’ in the music to the big Sparke end.
Overall:
OK, but we think this may struggle to make an impact today. A bit colourless.
Star player: Euph – Trevor Laird – a real solid contribution.
