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The Grand Shield:

The Opera House
Test Piece: Contest Music — Wilfred Heaton
Adjudicators: William Relton & Nigel Boddice

Saturday 9th May
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am

Live Comments

Live Comments by Chris Thomas

What do we think?

For us it's Tredegar for the Grand Shield, but with the wide spectrum of stylistic approaches today it could be quite a scrap for the other qualification place. Rothwell's class should see them through though and deservedly so, with fine performances from Redbridge, GUS, Reg Vardy and Flowers just behind.

1. Tredegar
2. Rothwell
3. Redbridge
4. GUS
5. Reg Vardy
6. Flowers

Freckleton (Gareth Pritchard), 19

Mvt 1.
Starts well but loses its way. Recovers well and there is a sense of style about the playing. A decent close to the opening movement holds promise. Neatly shaped this.

Mvt 2.
A good attempt to capture the sense of austere atmosphere — a brave attempt in fact on a day when others opted for saefty first. There are slips, but you admire the musical shape and the sense of trying to put the music first. Well done soloists and the close is well maintained too.

Mvt 3.
Scrappy. A pity this as once again the right style is being sought. It sounds a little tired now in places and the need to keep focus is paramount. Well done basses — they regain a solid foundation for the band to catch a second win and play with real purpose to close.

Overall:
A very enjoyable and musical rendition this by the MD. Not everything came off but it deserves reward for not opting for a safety first approach.

Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 18

Mvt 1.
Real confidence to the cracking opening with big bold sounds and detail by the bagfull. The odd little starined blip but it does not disturb the overall musical picture which is one of such authority and style. Impressive.

Mvt 2.
The best by far today. So sonourous in tonality but with atmosphere and austere feel intact. You sit back and admire this as its so beautifully shaped and phrased. Top quality solo lines with excellent solo cornet and a true niente close.

Mvt 3.
The biggest band sound of the day, but one that has so much control, detail and sense of style. So dynamically aware this from all sections and the ending is a true thriller of power and stature.

Overall:
Straight out of the very top drawer today. A corker and right at the very top end of the mix!

Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken), 17

Mvt 1.
Opens well but slips in the cornet line detract from the musical picture and could cost dearly today. It never quite knits together well enough to really make that impression of driven vibrancy.

Mvt 2.
From a tentative start things improve but once more it never quite has that stamp of qulaity that the best have shown today. There are times when it does come off, but then the last note leaves a disappointing impression.

Mvt 3.
This is more like it — confident and cultured eben with a sense of driven style that makes the music come to life. The odd slip and blip but that doesn't detract from quality playing. We have waited a long time for this but it is worth it right to the close.

Overall:
A performance that gathered confidence as it wet along, but the two opening movements will surely cost dearly. Too little too late today.

Wingates (John Hinckley), 16

Mvt 1.
A mixed bag of an opening section. It is well shaped but erratic in execution, and despite some quality playing there were also lapses along the way.

Mvt 2.
Safety first approach means everything in its right place, but also means a lack of atmosphere and austerity. Solo contributions are well handled but this seems oddly uninteresting with heavy handed close.

Mvt 3.
It drives forward well and the musicalmotifs are heard, but it can't quite match the best today in terms of overall quality. Has a big end but it needed something more than this today for us.

Overall:
A mixed bag for us that couldn't quite maintain consistency and interest throughout. A bit too bland.

Redbridge (Jeremy Wise), 15

Mvt 1.
A tight and muical opening has style and a degree of finesse. This is clear and precise and the MD gives the music time to flow without sounding rushed. A good start this and a neatly turned close.

Mvt 2.
Lovely troms top open and the playing has poise and austere style. Bad luck s/cornet, but it doesn't really detaract from a musical shape that is so persuasive. Nice close again.

Mvt 3.
Top drawer playing this and the structure of the band scoring is well balanced and detailed. A fine build to a conclusion of bold clarity.

Overall:
An intelligent performance this — and played with a confidence bred from the middle. This should be in the mix for the top spots today we think.

Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (Mark Bentham), 14

Mvt 1.
A confident opening is secure and boldly coloured around the stands. It just lacks that controlled almost refined edge the best bands are showing today, but it is certainly full of life and no shortage of effort. Neat close.

Mvt 2.
A tentative opening sends seeds of doubt across the band. This doesn't sound comfortable in places and the lower dynamics suffer with intonation problems. Some brave individual efforts (well done s/cornet), but the close is not balanced on the cornet end. Untidy this.

Mvt 3.
Good tempo and perc does well as the music builds with real momentum and sense of drive. It gets untidy and tired though as we close to the end and despite the enthusiasm the quality wanes to close.

Overall:
A decent attempt that had its moments, but it just didn't have the overall quality today to pose a threat to the top end of the table. It did takes risks though — and that is more than can be said of a few safety first performances today.

Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 13

Mvt 1.
A cracking start is full of precision and carefully measured ensemble. It sounds so well prepared this — nothing left to chance and only the most minor of blemishes are to be heard from start to finish.

Mvt 2.
Atmospheric and well judged in tempoand style this is fine playing. Excellent individual lines and an ensemble to back it up. S/ Cornet deserves reward and fine finish from his pals too.

Mvt 3.
Tight and precise and the music has the sense of controlled vigour required. High class stuff this and there isn't a hint of overblowing evenwhen they open their lungs up. Big and bold to end but never out of control.

Overall:
High class playing this — polished and so well prepared. It had that stamp of a British Open qualifier this.

Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper), 12

Mvt 1.
Tempo feels a touch ponderous to start and as a result it just lacks that little bit of vigour. Odd slip and blip doesn't detract but it just needs a touch of vibrancy — even to close.

Mvt 2.
Fine opening and the solo lines are so well played — sp s/cornet's long pause! Once more though it just lacks the right atmosphere for us — all a little staid. Safe though right to the end — and that is more than can be said for a few today..

Mvt 3.
Restrained tempo (it is what is on the score though) and there seems to be a lack of dynamism about this. It's certainly clean but we do need something a touch more meaty? Contolled finish just needed more substance for us.

Overall:
A strangley flat sounding performance but one that was neat, clean and tidy in the main. Could come just about anywhere.

Flowers (Garry Cutt), 11

Mvt 1.
Great start sees all the inner parts heard for perhaps the first time today. It's so well shaped and delivered this, despite the odd straining sounds in the top tier of lines. Lovely ending has such a touch of delicate finesse though. Classy that.

Mvt 2.
There is much to admire about the style but the errors, although minor ones, are building up. The flow of the music is interrupted too often now by the clips — a real pity as there is much to admire about the atmospheric austerity. Close sums it up really — not clean.

Mvt 3.
Good momentum and some of the band playing is truely thrilling. Dynamic contrasts are very big and cleverly done and the pace is maintained with a sense of spirit right to the terrific conclusion.

Overall:
A fine interpretation of the score and some wonderful playing in the outer movements, but that eror strewn middle section may cost dearly today. A high calibre one still though.

Break after band 10 and its GUS for us at the moment with Reg Vardy behind. Mount Charles and Sovereign are snapping at the heels.

More to come though...

Reg Vardy (Russell Gray), 10

Mvt 1.
Opening hits between the eyes for certain! It's stylish stuff though, although there are the odd moments when the cornets get a bit harsh and clippy. The spirit of the music is so evident right to the witty close. Good stuff.

Mvt 2.
Sonorous opening and flowing tempo are to be admired and this is backed by a warm ensemble sound too. Its austere in scope and execution and despite the odd moment of cornet uncertainty this has been a persuasive bit of playing. Final note waver just spoils!

Mvt 3.
Little lapses of concentration could prove costly, but there is plenty to admire about the musical approach, which is impressive. Lots of drive, but despite the clips it retains focus and integrity to the huge ending.

Overall:
There were lapses in this one, but the musical shape was perhaps the best of the day and the structure of the work was so clear.

Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott), 9

Mvt 1.
Opening is good but it subsequently sounds a little tentative in places and for us the tempo is on the safe side. It does settle as it goes on and there is a neat sense of closure too.

Mvt 2.
It's very heavy on the dymanics and although there are some fine individual contributions there is no real sense of austerity and bleakness. Safe and not sorry for sure, but it could have benfitted by a greater sense of dynamic contrast.

Mvt 3.
A good sense of style here and although once again its the dynamics that are in need of greater scope there is a sense of bravura and confidence about the playing. Big ending rounds things off with a touch of power.

Overall:
Pretty good stuff from start to finish, if a little bland and in need of a touch more conviction in execution.

Mount Charles (Andrew Duncan), 8

Mvt 1.
A solid incisive opening makes an immediate impression. Tempo sits well and there is a good band sound on show. There are a number of little minor lapses though that take the shine off a very polished opening section. Good though.

Mvt 2.
Another good attempt o capture the atmosphere and austere feel. It falters though at times and this is noticeable in solo and ensemble. Settles to close, but it was a little nervy in places.

Mvt 3.
This is good stuff — directed with real authority by the MD and played with a bravura confidence by the band. Again, those little slips are noticeable but there is so much to admire musically about this movement right to the close.

Overall:
Style and character by the bucketful, but some of the slips were nasty ones and just took that gloss finish off. That could just cost them today.

Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 7

Mvt 1.
Odd seating plan with euphs at the rear with basses won't be repeated today we think, but MDs restrained approach works well. Not everything comes off and the balance seems lopsided, but it is well enough played. Why the risk with the balance though?

Mvt 2.
Some brave playing on show here and it just needs a touch more space and control — it seems forced. There is the odd moment or two of uncertainty but solo lines are well handled. Good close is well handled too.

Mvt 3.
More good stuff and it is certainly exciting, if a touch forced. That balance again? It's not without its idiosyncratic moment or two, but it holds the attention right to the close.

Overall:
An individual approach and interpretation this — it left us scratching our heads, and seemed to take slightly too many risks. Odd, but pretty good.

East Yorkshire Motor Services (Frans Violet), 6

Mvt 1.
MD looks casual but the opening is anything but! There are however lapses in the ensemble lines that are nasty and the intonation at times also grates. Recovers though and the close is the best of the day so far — really neat and tidy.

Mvt 2.
A little heavy handed this to create the real atmosphere needed. The individual lines are so well handled though and there is a sense of style now emerging. Getting there.

Mvt 3.
Now comes the quality — and it is good too. There is a confidence about the ensemble balance and style and the rousing ending is something of note.

Overall:
A peformance that grew in stature as it went along — just that opening section may well cost on a day when others have already shown more consistency.

Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 5

Mvt 1.
Tempo is nailed on to start and its a no nonsense approach. The sound is very balanced but so too those insecurities. The music does flow through though despite this.

Mvt 2.
Lovely balance to the playing and fine flugel, although the ensemble lacks dynamic contrast. Well done s/cornet is real tour de force effort and the movement closes with a sense of mystery. Good stuff this.

Mvt 3.
There is a real sense of confidence about this playing now and the sound of the band is big and balanced. Final climax is terrific too. Bravo band and MD.

Overall: A performance of some stature this, with full sounds and persuasive style. A real contender?

Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones), 4

Mvt 1.
The band capture the style right from the start here, if not always in a secure fashion. Clips and blips, but it won't be the only performance that will have them today. Not always totally secure now and it is a pity as the musical shape is so clearly defined. Not a great end.

Mvt 2.
Atmospheric opening is well handled and the playing has real poise and shape again. Impressive solo contributions too from sop and s/cornet who is quick off the top C# — sensible lass!

Mvt 3.

Incisive opening and the music unfolds so well. We hear dynamic contrasts too and the paceof the music is well judged. The close has a feel of control too.

Overall:
A bold, confident and very stylish performance this. The leader so far and one that could well more than hold its own. Impressive.

Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley), 3

Mvt 1.
It is not without lapses this but the MD shapes the music so well. There are good sounds around the stand and solidity in the ensemble too. Shame about the ragged end though.

Mvt 2.
More nicely shaped music making — the closest so far to the austere feel required. This is persuasive stuff and topped by fine solo cornet on top c#.

Mvt 3.
Good dynamics and the playing has both confidence and a feel for the drive required. Excellent build to a fine conclusion too.

Overall:
The first real marker of the day. Lots to admire and enjoy even if it is beatable. A good one though.

Kibworth (John Hudson), 2

Mvt 1.
A clean opening is promising although tempo is steady. Never quite seems at home this. The overal impression is one of insecurity.

Mvt 2.
Very nervy start and the exposed nature of the scoring tests the band to the full. Little chance to creat real atmosphere. Well done s/cornet, but overall not a great movement.

Mvt 3.
There is much better playing here — quality at last. It just gets a little overblown in places but it is exciting to close.

Overall:
A brave attempt but the demands of the score foud the band out on too many occassions.

Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea), 1

Mvt 1.
A dynamic opening is a little fragile in places but is effective enough. Some wrong entries though! Fine trom but the ensemble error count is high.

Mvt 2.
Decent opening and fine flugel. It has flow, but those littl erros — unlucky sop! Just needs a touch more atmosphere, but bravo s/cornet — very nearly perfection. Poor close though.

Mvt 3.
Scrappy opening and not secure in quieter moments . It's that slip count though. A pity as it has its moments.

Overall:
A tough job from number 1 today to make an impression. We think this one may fall some way down the pecking order.

Withdrawn
Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel (Richard Evans)