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The Senior Trophy

The Spanish Hall
Test Piece: Spectrum — Gilbert Vinter
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill & David Read

Saturday 9th May
Draw: 10.00am
Commence: 11.00am

Live Comments

Live Comments by Dave Tinker

What do we think?

An enjoyable contest with some varying performances.

It's Milnrow for us, followed by Camborne, Northop with Glossop and Point of Ayr battling it out for the final qualification place.

Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard), 20

Opening/Red/Orange:
Real solid opening has right accel and ultimate pace and Red is full of passion and ferocity. Just needs a touch more control perhaps but certainly its exciting.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Some fine playing on display here with control. Just a touch heavy handed perhaps but it flows well into Green which is played with musicality. Blue is exciting too — the band are fully commited on this!

Indigo/Purple:
Just loses focus here, not reall a waltz with a lilting feel — just nneds a touch more control. Purple has a braos bass led foundation which is darkly hued and leads to a fine, bold close.

Overall:
A bit of a puzzler this one. It could well feature today but the lack f dynamic contract may well force them further down the prize list.

Felling (Graeme Tindall), 19

Opening/Red/Orange:
This is decent stuff if a little harsh in sound. Red lacks rhtymn at times but it is exciting for sure. Orange is clean and well played if a little static in pace. Decent start this.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Well done solo lines — a real stamp of class in Yellow, whilst Green contains some well shaped sounds and delicate phrasing from ensemble. Blue is lacking a bit in style and substance though. Disappointing from what has gone before.

Indigo/Purple:
This is bright and breezy and an up tempo waltz of character and Purple just gets a touch harsh in places and lacks balance as the band tires. A pity this.

Overall:
One that just run out of steam. At times it was so enjoyable but the stamina cost the band in the end as it faded away.

Easington Colliery (Ray Farr), 18

Opening/Red/Orange:
Opening has a great deal of conviction and is bold and well played, whilst Red just has a few inconsistencies that may rob them today. Orange has a fine lightness of touch (one of the best today) and there is so much to enjoy in the approach.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Yellow gets a little OTT at times, but holds the interest, whilst Green has a great feel to it and has some of the best solo lines today. Blue is right on the button tempo wise but some intonation problems spoil.

Indigo/Purple:
This is good stuff — a lovely lilting feel of a waltz. Purple has a dark edge at times but has a great deal of drive right to the powerful end.

Overall:
Lots to admire in this one and it could well catch the ear of the judges late in the day. May be there or thereabouts.

Mossley (Duncan Byers), 17

Opening/Red/Orange:
Disappointing opening lacks control and seems a bit of a mess, but it recovers with a Red of ferocity and drive. Orange is a little static in pace but is clean and tidy in execution.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Yellow moves well and euph does a great job, but some losse ensemble does detract and parts are missing? Green benefits from a fine sop lead but elsewere it struggles. Blue is positive and driven and some of the best playing today is heard.

Indigo/Purple:
Indigo is spot on the style if the execution is a little muddy but Purple gets harsh and overblown when a little more control would have been nigh on perfect with this big, bass led sound. Solid ending just brings a close on the positive.

Overall:
Not a bad show by any means but they are up against a lot of bands who have just done a bit more than this today.

Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock), 16

Opening/Red/Orange:
Clean and precise opening sounds well rehearsed and Red has a sense of solidity too, even if it just needs a touch more ferocity. Orange is stylish with flugel a feature.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Good euphs lead a neatly shaped Yellow, but cornets sound starined, whilst Green has a lovely flow and sop lead is of top notch quality. Blue has the style, but we are sensing tiredness in the top cornet lines at times that does detract.

Indigo/Purple:
Has a fine waltz feel and real lilt and Purple has control and sense of darkness too — well done MD for bringing things back on track. Big old thumper of a finish too!

Overall:
A lot more plus points than minus ones with this one that should ensure that it holds it own today.

Beaumaris (Gwyn Evans), 15

Opening/Red/Orange:
A fine opening is so well controlled and has sense of accel that so many have missed today. Red suffers with wrong entry in cornet line? Recovers and its edge of the seat stuff. Orange has a lovely relaxed feel and great bass foundation.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
So much to admire here — so stylish despite little clips. Green is warm and has a super sop to lead the emotion. Blue is well thought out too — a change of gear, style and tonality. Intelligent MD!

Indigo/Purple:
Flows with real waltz feel, but they just get a tad over excited in Purple which doen't need the hard edged sound to appeal. Big bold end rounds things off in style.

Overall:
A good show this that should be in and around the promotion places today. Just the odd moments when it didn't gell, but there was more to admire than dislike.

Camborne Town (Kevin McKenzie), 14

Opening/Red/Orange:
Very convincing opening this — spot on in pace and delivery. Red is real feroce stuff, but slight mispitch in bass comes across as a nasty error. Orange has a lovely relaxed feel and fine style is revealed in full.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Fine flow and what a precise euph in Yellow. Green is uneasy to start but it recovers with a super sop at the head. Blue has a shape and purpose missing today.

Indigo/Purple:
Classy. Very classy — so much time and a fine delivery in true waltz style. This leads a full blooded Purple that is dark and foreboding. Quality ending too — controlled but still big, bold and brillaint.

Overall:
A very good show that just had the odd moment or two. Will be up there we think today and could well be in line for a promotion place.

Wantage Silver A (Philip Bailey), 13

Opening/Red/Orange:
Opening is steady and controlled but just lacks sense of drive, whilst Red is sensible rather than ferocious. Orange is controlled, but it needs a bit more finesse and sense of adventure.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
This is well though out and delivered, with a neat sense of musicality, whilst Green flows well but is hampered by wooden ensemble accompaniment. Blue is a tad on the slow side to generate excitment.

Indigo/Purple:
This is a well played waltz, and the quality finally surfaces in time for a super Purple that has a wonderful broad base led foundation of ebony darkness. Why did we wait so long?

Overall:
A fair show but one that took a long time to come to the boil. Could well surprise a few with it's overall consistency.

United Norwest Co-op Milnrow (John Ward), 12

Opening/Red/Orange:
Best opening of the day so far — right on the button and the accel is well timed. Red is controlled with attention to little details a feature, whilst Orange is so well shaped and delivered too. Very promising this.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Moves at a sensible pace and so the music doesn't feel rushed. Green is well thought out and presented especially in solo lines, and Blue has a vibrant sense of fun. Excellent playing this.

Indigo/Purple:
Floats with a neat sense of lilting style and moves into a dark but not overtly harsh Purple that holds form right to the end.

Overall:
In front for us so far and by a little bit of a margin. A band that sounded so well rehearsed and an MD with a sensible approach to the musical and technical deatils.

Johnstone Silver Band (Raymond Tennant), 11

Opening/Red/Orange:
Opening is controlled and precise and one of the first today to show a real sense of accelerando. Red has detail and style too, but Orange just needed a little more refinement in approach.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Yellow has fine control and sense of purpose, but Green is just spoilt by a few too many little clips and blips. Blue doesn't come off as hoped and it is starting feel tired and sloppy in precision now.

Indigo/Purple:
Great recovery — bravo! This is super stuff — just the right stylish waltz feel and the descent into Purple is so wel handled too. This is a fine ending — full of dark well balanced sounds for us.

Overall:
That middle couple of movements will cost points for certain, but elsewhere there was a performance to really enjoy from an MD who understood the score.

Wrexham Brass (Wayne Ruston), 10

Opening/Red/Orange:
A good opening promises much, but the intonation is wayward as we progress. Red has real fire and passion with troms to the fore and we like the way Orange is neatly shaped.

Yellow/Green/Blue
Why the pace in Yellow? It's so messy and takes time to find its feet. This leads into Green which is equally uncertain and lacks conviction. A pity as Blue recovers well and has a spikey vibrancy to it.

Indigo/Purple:
More good stuff — real waltz feel to this and it leads to a bold Purple that just gets a little over wrought in placess but is certainly darkly hued to close.

Overall:
A decent account but those middle movements may well cost as they didn't quite have the quality of the rest of the piece.

Newbridge Celynen (Rhodri Griffiths), 9

Opening/Red/Orange:
Solid and controlled accel is one of the best today and there is a real conviction to Red, despite the tendencey to overblow. Needs a touch more restraint despite the ferociousness. Orange too — more relaxation required.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Yellow is so neatly portrayed with style and balance to the ensemble, but Green sounds strained and uncomfortable despite the well played solo lines. Blue is very positive but the broad brush strokes are losing the detail.

Indigo/Purple:
Fine stuff — a neat sense of waltz style, and there is something in reserve to for the dark ending.

Overall:
Just a few costly lapses in focus may lose this one a point or two, but it was well executed and very positive in approach. Should hold its own and more perhaps.

Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard), 8

Opening/Red/Orange:
Like too many today that rushed feel loses the sense of proper accel. Red is exciting for sure but there is a lack of real detail in what we hear. Orange is much better but there is a problem or two in the bass line?

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Why the rush? Euph has no chance and that doesn't allow the character of the music to come to the fore. Green is so much better — the time shows the quality of the players to the full. Blue is foot on the accelerator again — and it robs that poise needed.

Indigo/Purple:
Good stuff — a real waltz feel with that hint of menace, whilst Purple just needs a touch more time to bring that darkness to the front of the mind. Decent close though.

Overall:
The pace killed this one for us. Less haste would have meant more points we feel, as wehn they slowed down there was quality to admire.

Point of Ayr (Roy Newsome), 7

Opening/Red/Orange:
A poor opening lacks clarity and control, but it soon recovers with real power and ferocious feel. The contrast with Orange is spot on — a real relaxed feel.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Euph not quite convincing and the ensemble follows suit in Yellow, but Green has a lovely lilt to it and is one of the best today despite the odd little clip. Blue just has the right style — cracking stuff.

Indigo/Purple:
A real waltz with panache, the sense of style is first rate. Purple though just gets overblown and harsh — a pity as the sense of impending doom was there very clearly in the musical approach. Not a bad end.

Overall:
A performance of style and substance, but that poor opening will cost for sure.

Glossop Old (Phil Pavey), 6

Opening/Red/Orange:
A rushed opening just lacks control but there is a bold and robust ensemble sound that excits in a ferocious Red. Orange has some nice contrasts and we hear some excellent percussion.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Rushed again — it's not needed as there is quality on show. Green is more relaxed and you hear that quality coming through in solo and ensemble lines. Blue just gets a little heavy handed, but has character.

Indigo/Purple:
Brisk pace again and that just loses that sense of free waltz, but the Purple is real dark stuff and so well portrayed. Just gets a touch harsh in reprise to finish off powerfully.

Overall:
Good and not so good and the pace of some movements will cost? A bit more restraint may have paid richer dividends.

Friary Guildford Brass (Chris King), 5

Opening/Red/Orange:
This is a clear and precise opening which leads into a ferocious Red that just gets a touch over excited in places and loses focus. A pity as Orange is so well played.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
This is OK to start and there are some neat touches and Green flows wells too with fine solo contributions. This is getting better and Blue is very nicely done and handled with aplomb.

Indigo/Purple:
The right feel to the waltz and the dark hues of Purple come through too and the ending has real conviction.

Overall:
A performance that grew in stature as it progressed. Just that excitable opening sections may cost, but this was one to enjoy.

NASUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson), 4

Opening/Red/Orange:
Opening is muddy and all a little rushed, but Red has drive and is very bright in style. Orange is not relaxed and more control is really needed to capture the style.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
This is decent stuff, with fine playing from all the ensemble and solo lines, and Green is the same — well done soloists. Blue is full tilt stuff and very exciting if a little clippy.

Indigo/Purple:
This is confident playing — a real waltz feel if a little quick, but Purple just seems to tire and get a little harsh and lacks that dark feel. A pity.

Overall:
A performance that really built as it went along this. Came to head just a bit too soon and faded, but one to think about.

Yorkshire Co-op (Simon Kerwin), 3

Opening/Red/Orange:
A fair start but it then gets all a little rushed and lacks clarity. Red doesn't quite have that driven feel with the required precision. Orange is better but it needs contrast in the dynamics.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Again, why the speed in Yellow? Green is the best playing — lovely stuff from all concerned, and Blue is the same — some real classy playing.

Indigo/Purple:
Not quite in true waltz style — all a little harsh, whilst Purple is certainly dark but just fades away as stamina wanes to close.

Overall:
A performance of promise that didn't quite come off. At time great, but too often needed more contrast.

Besses O`th Barn (Carl Whiteoak), 2

Opening/Red/Orange:
Not the clean opening required but soon settles into a forceful Red — although cornets are a touch harsh. Orange just sounds a touch bland.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Has it's moments but it is untidy in places. Green has a fine musical feel but is not always secure. Blue just doesn't quite crack on as required.

Indigo/Purple:
This flows well and has a neat touch of the waltz feel. It gets a touch tired in places and the dark feel has an edge to it to close.

Overall:
A fair effort but one that had too many structural problems really to be a contender today we think

Northop (Thomas Wyss), 1

Opening/Red/Orange:
Opening is clean and precise and this is followed by some excellent dynamic and driven playing. A little edgy at times, but Orange is so neatly portrayed with fine euph.

Yellow/Green/Blue:
Lovely flow to the music and ncie sounds from the middle of the band. Green is well controlled and Blue has a cracking feel to it too. Nice stuff this.

Indigo/Purple:
Goof waltz feel and with plenty of detail. Purple is solid and ark right to the well controlled close.

Overall:
A very good one to start and a marker that may take a bit of shifting. A good standard set here.