Test Piece:
Rhapsodic Variations — My Strength, My Tower — Dean Goffin

Adjudicators:
Jim Davies and Peter Roberts

Commences at the conclusion of the First Section

Live comments:

Point of Ayr, Michael Fowles, 16
Region: Wales

Opening:
Best opening of the day – full bodied and very musical in intent. Fine control and we hear real detail from all corners of the band. Impressive stuff.

Scherzo:
More fire and detail and there is lots to admire in this. There is a depth of sound and real precision in the playing. This is going to be a marker for certain.

Lento:
Well done top man – one of the very best efforts of the day on what has been a cruel solo. Euph supports well and although there are clips and blips this has been well handled and directed from the middle.

Passacaglia:
Big, bold ending with control and plenty of power in reserve. MD gives a little jump before the last baton charge to the end! Super climax to close.

Overall:
It’s been a long time coming but we think this is the one that will take the title with a little bit to spare.

Star player:
Solo cornet take a bow – you deserve it.

Slaithwaite, Barry Hudson, 15
Region: Yorkshire

Opening:
Opening has purpose and the MD gives the music plenty of time to flow. There is plenty of passion and there is a lot to admire. Another one going in the right direction?

Scherzo:
More of the same. There is a fine sense of musicality about this despite the high error count. Enjoyable this.

Lento:
Brave efforts from both cornet and euph. This is very hard indeed but there is plenty of credit emerging from this performance. Well done.

Passacaglia:
Full of commitment from MD and players and this comes through in the music. A fine old ending too from a performance that may well make a mark.

Overall:
One of the better efforts today. We have waited a long time to get one with this level of consistency.

Star player:
Euph – great support act and solo voice today.
Shrewton Silver, Michael Dunford, 14
Region: West of England

Opening:
This isn’t too bad at all to open – a real nice feel about the music, strong and purposeful and full of commitment.

Scherzo:
Again, plenty to admire – its passionate and intense and it just about works to a tee. Proving to be a good one perhaps?

Lento:
The curse strikes again. This is proving to be too difficult even for a good player here. Euph does well but this is a real pity. Brave efforts all round though.

Passacaglia:
It recovers so well – congratulations. It has a fine feel and a drive through to the purposeful ending and fine climax. Exciting to close.

Overall:
Not a bad one this – just that Achilles heel section. It may cost, but it has been the same for so many today.

Star player:

Epsom & Ewell, Ted Howard, 13
Region: London & SC

Opening:
Cautious opening — the detail though doesn’t always come through. Not sure where this is going.

Scherzo:
It’s very passionate and fiery though a little bit over the top in places which means the detail is lost.

Lento:
Cornet solo work is well handled by the dep. Euph also does well but the ensemble work isn’t great.

Passacaglia:
Ths sounds a bit harsh this and again the detail is lost. A real pity as we come to the end.

Overall:
One that never really got going. Sounded a bit of a struggle sadly.

Star player: Euph – a good effort.

Bristol East and Kingswood, Roy Curran, 12
Region: West of England

Opening:
Powerful opening chords lead into a nice musical section of playing. MD brings the music out and it has plenty of control.

Scherzo:
This is controlled playing and is well presented. Not as fiery as some but it follows on from how they are laying the piece out.

Lento:
There is plenty of good quality playing on show, but just when it promises much it just fails to make the mark expected. Unlucky solo cornet but well done euph. This has been their testing moment.

Passacaglia:
They recover very well and this has been a pretty good ending section to a performance that held so much promise. Powerful ending too.

Overall:
Started so well and promised so much, but just when it appeared to be right up in contention it fell away – a pity, but it may still hold its own.

Star player:

Alder Valley, Roger Burke, 11
Region: London & SC

Opening:
It does take a time to settle, which is a pity because when it does it sounds pretty good and is nicely shaped.

Scherzo:
It’s not too bad at all and is just the right style – fiery and intense. There is a need for a bit more consistency but the MD has things under control.

Lento:
Solo and euph have moments good and bad (not alone today in this though) but they get through a touch period in credit. This has cost points we think though.

Passacaglia:
This is very steady stuff. It’s not over the top and MD keeps a lid on the dynamics. Just needed a touch more beef to end.

Overall:
Had it moments and we liked the restraint, but the consistency will cost for sure.

Star player:
Brave efforts from the solo cornet and the euph.

Haslingden and Helmshore, David Holland, 10
Region: North West

Opening:
Not the greatest start. We have tuning issues which throughout.

Scherzo:
Fiery and passionate but never 100 per cent. Sounds as if the band are struggling with this.

Lento:
Lots of mute juggling detracts somewhat. More uncertain moments in solo lines. This just doesn’t seem to be improving..

Passacaglia:
Probably the best playing but this has been tough going – for us and the band.

Overall:
Not the band we know. The just struggled with this throughout.

Star player: Euph – Good effort in difficult circumstances.

Johnstone, Ray Tennant, 9
Region: Scotland

Opening:
Great opening chords lead to musical opening thiat is extremely persuasive in it’s delivery. Good stuff.

Scherzo:
Real quality stuff this – it works so well for us. Excellent playing and tempos – well done MD.

Lento:
More quality in ensemble and solo lines – the odd wobble but nothing too major. Fine playing continues.

Passacaglia:
More quality stuff shines through. Plenty of good work right through to the end. Well done.

Overall: A very musical performance – a good one.

Star player: Principal Cornet – steady as a rock.

Murton Colliery, Dennis Noble , 8
Region: North of England

Opening:
Not for the first time today the opening could benefited from a slightly less cautious approach – the band can play it and well. It doesn’t really come off as it should as a result, but it holds potential.

Scherzo:
Very fiery and passionate and although some of the detail is lost we like the approach. Careful that it doesn’t quite go OTT though.

Lento:
Nicest section so far and this is a performance that is getting better and better. Cornet does very well as does the euph, although the ensemble isn’t always secure.

Passacaglia:
It has its moments but it seems to have run out of steam a bit. A second wind is needed. Gets it in the final run to the end, but just gets a tad scrappy to finish.

Overall:
Middle sections were good stuff, but the outer ones were not in the same class and may well cost valuable points.

Star player: Another principal cornet who did their band proud. Bravo.

City of Coventry, Stephen Cooper, 7
Region: Midlands

Opening:
Not the most effective opening we have heard today. It’s a bit cautious and maybe nervous in delivery. Needs to settle.

Scherzo:
It does now with some fiery playing that has just the right intensity about it. Plenty of little blips but the passion is there to be heard.

Lento:
Cornet does well enough as does the euph, but there are uncomfortable moments in the ensemble that detract. Recovers to end.

Passacaglia:
Not too bad, but just in need of a more energy. Has its moments but lacks consistency and the detail becomes lost too often towards the end.

Overall:
Not a bad one but it could end up in the midfield as it never really stood out like some already today.

Star player:
Euphonium delivered the goods so well.

Wardle and Anderson District Brass, Sean Conway, 6
Region: North West

Opening:
A real nice opening with plenty of quality on show. It’s a very elegant sound from the band – nicely rounded and well shaped by MD. Promising this.

Scherzo:
Powerful and intense but with a nice playful edge too. Like the degree of detail on show and this works just as it should.

Lento:
Cornet is absolutely top rate – what a lovely sound. Euph compliments too and this has been playing of a very high class.

Passacaglia:
Loads of music flows through. The direction allows for the detail to be shown without overblowing messing things up even as it comes to a powerful end.

Overall:
A very musical performance this with so much to enjoy. Different approach may well appeal strongly in the box.

Star player:
Principal cornet – just read our comments – nuff said.

Campbletown Brass, Craig Anderson, 5
Region: Scotland

Opening:
Not a bad opening at all – more restrained than many so far today, but it paves the way for a persuasive musical shape to unfold.

Scherzo:
Some more fine playing on show and there is an authentic feel to the approach – just a neat sense of spiky playfulness. Effective delivery.

Lento:
Solo cornet shines as does a first rate euphonium. This quality playing enhances a good section of playing. Enjoyable this.

Passacaglia:
Another section which works well. Strong ensemble is a feature that brings things to a fine close.

Overall:
One that held its form from start to finish. Consistent stuff and that may hold it in good stead today.

Star player:
Principal cornet and euph – hard to make a choice between two players that did the business in fine style.

YBS Concert Brass, Ian Craddock, 4
Region: Yorkshire

Opening:
Nice and musical this to open with excellent tempos which allow the dynamic detail to come through. All that is needed to be heard is – well one.

Scherzo:
Some more excellent playing on show. It’s fiery and intense as required, but with the all important extra bit of control from the middle that is so effective.
Lento:

Passacaglia:
More high class playing. Great dynamics and the tempo allows for conviction in the playing. It comes together so well to close too.

Overall:
A real good one this with lots of quality from start to finish.

Star player:
Principal cornet added a touch of class.

Harborough, Chris Groom, 3
Region: Midlands

Opening:
Opening chords are a touch heavy perhaps and it isn’t totally 100% secure. It does settle after this but it has been a touch hit and miss.

Scherzo:
This is fiery stuff, intense and with hit octane tempos. Some detail is lost, but overall pretty good playing.

Lento:
Principal cornet survives the odd moment or two of uncertainty, and so does the euphonium. Needs a touch more security and subtlety.

Passacaglia:
It is pretty decent playing although the tempo needs to wind up a bit in places. When it does it means a loss of detail, so we see why.

Overall:
More than a little hit and miss in places. Didn’t quite come off as hoped we think.

Star player:
The solo euphonium gave it his all and more for the cause.

Barton Barton Town, Richard Evans, 2
Region: North of England

Opening:
Lovely opening – so well controlled and detailed. There is some fine playing here.

Scherzo:
The good playing continues. A nice blend of passion and intensity – all in control.

Lento:
Comes across so well. Cornet has smallest of wobbles but nothing drastic. Lyrical sound comes through always. Very persuasive and subtle this.

Passacaglia:
So musical. MD just lets the band play and brings out every ounce from the band – full of energy and dynamic contrast.

Overall:
A real good one this. Great playing and insight from MD.

Star player: Solo cornet: Quality playing from start to finish.

Tylorstown, Gary Davies, 1
Region: Wales

Opening:
Big opening – purposeful – a fine sounding band this. This leads to a 1st var which has grace and eloquence.

Scherzo:
Very fiery, passionate and intense. There a slight lack of detail though. A shame.

Lento:
Nicely done. Music flows well and well done solo cornet and euph. Nice playing this.

Passacaglia:
More good stuff around the stands but be careful you don’t run out of steam!

Overall:
Not a bad opener this. Just seemed a little tired towards the end.

Star player: Solo cornet. Quality throughout.