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Test piece:
Masters of Space and Time, Bruce Broughton.

Adjudicators:
Derek Broadbent, Ronald Holz, Steve Sykes

Draw: 0900hrs
Commenced: 1000hrs

Live Comments
Live Comments by Iwan Fox

What do we think?

A enjoyable short contest (more like this we need). The quality should come though though today with Fodens just pipping Willebroek for us.

These two were a little way ahead Carlton Main and Desford, both of whom put in splendid shows though. GUS and BTM for the top 6 with Reg Vardy as our dark horse today.

1. Fodens
2. Willebroek
3. Carlton Main
4. Desford
5. GUS
6. BTM

Dark Horse: Reg Vardy

15.30hrs
Desford Colliery, Jason Katsikaris, 18

Solid opening has precision and detail to go with the well paced energy. High class stuff this with drive and purpose, balance and tonal shades.

Spoke too soon! Cornets have memory loss and this is a nasty wobble for about twenty bars or so.

The recovery is high class and the poise, space and time returns. A quality ending has so much control and real razor sharp sense of style.

Overall: Very nearly an absolute cracker but the obvious fragilities will cost. Brave defence of their crown though.

15.10hrs
Sovereign Brass, Jason Glyn, 17

Hard to think of a worse start today. Side drum — what on earth? This will take some recovering from.

Fair play, they give it a good go with bold colours and contrast — it's just so fragile in delivery though.

It has its moments as we progess but the lack of subtle shades, of balance and pace are so evident.

Rousing ending is too little too late.

Overall: A performance that never quite recovered from a terrible start.

14.50hrs
Wingates, John Hinckley, 16

Another opening that will cost dearly as tuning goes AWOL. It is so aggressive in approach and execution — contrary to the markings on the score.

Time and space is not given to the best effect. The lack of tonal contrast and dynamic variance makes this one so one-dimentional.

It starts to hurt now as all subtlety is lost. A harsh finish sums it all up.

Overall: We have to question the aggresive approach in this one. It cried out for subtlety and none was found.

14.35hrs
1st Old Boys Association Silver, Stephen Cairns, 15

Poor opening is littered with expensive problems that will cost. It recovers but the fragile delivery detracts from well paced direction by MD.

The lack of subtle balances and dynamics are hurting this. Plenty of time and space but the technical problems have been a real curse on this performance despite the fine close.

Overall: One that that didn't quite meet the technical requirements and will struggle today unfortunately.

14.15hrs
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Russell Gray, 14

An untuneful start soon recovers with poise, detail and controlled energy.

A very lyrical approach from the middle is almost indulgent, but not quite — a very elastic sense of space and time.

There is control of balance and dynamics and this holds your attention. A driven ending is full of purpose proficiently delivered .

Overall: A persuasive one this, lyrically inspired from the MD. A tasteful exploration of the title should see them in the mix.

13.55hrs
Jaguar (Coventry), David Lea, 13

Poor start is hesitant and lacks detail. It recovers but nothing sounds at ease despite time and space being given by the MD.

There are some nasty moments in the ensemble. Recovers focus and the final quarter contains some fine playing. It all ends on an upbeat note too.

Overall: A real mixed bag this one. If only they could have harnessed the form in the latter half of the piece they would have been OK.

13.35hrs
Reg Vardy, Nicholas Childs, 12

Untidy start could be expensively problematic. It recovers but there are the odd moments of unease.

Lovely lyrical sense of spacial awareness — and the detail and balance is heard to fine effect.

Controlled aggression is delivered without recourse to crassness.

This is fine playing now — some of the best today. A fine ending has a stamp of authority too.

Overall: A performance that grew in stature the longer it went on to an end with real aplomb.

13.15hrs
Bedwas Trethomas and Machen (BTM), Tom Davoren, 11

Slightly wayward start but soon recovers with a sense of purpose and energy. A little dynamically monotone but sharply delivered with a sense of controlled spacial awareness.

Not everything comes off but the musical picture is clear. Well paced this but the dymanics have lost all focus now.

A pity as the technical delivery is one of the best of the day. Decent end.

Overall: A performance that had very clear limits but just lost its dynamic way. Should more than hold its own though and may surprise.

12.55hrs
Pemberton Old Wigan JJB, Mark Bentham, 10

Interesting set-up, with standing cornet choirs, works to open but thereafter becomes totally redundant.

Certainly full of brio but the lack of defined dynamics is so obvious now. The detail can be heard and there is purpose with drive but it lacks that essential sense of spacial awareness.

The idea at the start has become a handicap to close depite a decent end.

Overall: A totally committed performance without a doubt, but one that moved musically further away from the mark the longer it went on.

12.40hrs
Metropole Brass Band, Guy Audenaert, 9

Safe start, but where are the dynamic contrasts?

It 's technically delivered but it is so lacking tonal warmth and internal balance. Even the quiet bits are loud.

Time and space is observed so why not the dynamics? Exiting or just plain overblown? — the latter.

It is the same story all the way to the end.

Overall: One that cried out for control and a sense of dynamic. Sheer volume will consign this to the lower reaches we feel.

12.20hrs
Aveley and Newham, Nigel Taken, 8

Decent opening — safe, solid and progresses with energy. Just lacks that real defined sense of dynamic and struture and balance.

Lots of solid work goes in but it's all rather non-descript. There is a lack of the required spacial awareness.

We get contrasts, if not well defined, and it lacks precision too. Big bold ending rounds things off though.

Overall: A solid workmanlike performance that won't find its way towards the top end we think today.

12.00hrs
Virtuosi GUS, John Berryman, 7

Certainly bold to open and full of energy but it lacks dynamic contrast and really fails to have a sense of subtelty — safe though.

Progresses well enough and is certainly full of confidence. Why the reliance on sheer volume though?

Pacey and driven — yes. Time and space??? Fine sounds but it losses focus to close.

Overall: A performace full of confidence, brio and bravura if all lacking in subtelty.

11.40hrs
Brass Band Buizingen, Luc Vertommen, 6

Poor opening lacks detail and contrast but it recovers boldly and seems more at ease at the louder dynamics.

Certainly a different tonality to this band but it is very precise playing and we hear a lot of internal detail especially in the horns.

Moves at pace and perhaps needs that extra time and space as well a little more subtlety.

A bit of a ripper to end.

Overall: An interesting one this. Strongly portrayed and detailed but perhaps in need of little more subtlety today.

11.20hrs
Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts, 5

A poor start never sounds precise or at ease. Recovers and quality comes through despite the little clips and blips.

This is very bold in places and certainly has drive. Space and time though?

We perhaps need more contrasts as the internal detail is not quite as transparent as the best today.

Certainly exciting to close but it just lost its focus for us.

Overall: Glimpses only of the true Rothwell today. Understandably a little uncooked this one.

11.00hrs
Fodens Richardson, Garry Cutt, 4

A fine opening has wide dynamic contrast and real energy. Perhaps a bit beefy? So boldy coloured this — with ensemble warmth too.

Purpose and clarity to the lead line and that essential space and time is evident.

We hear real layers of tonality and all the razor sharp detail. There is real stamp of authority to close.

Overall : A superbly structured performance this, it has that stamp of class.

10.40hrs
Redbridge, Jeremy Wise, 3

Solid enough start but is soon lacks precision. The first of a few blobs are apparent.

Recovers with broad sounds but it sounds as if the musical heart isn't in this one. There are stylish moments in individual lines but this strangely seems to lack real ensemble focus.

Final section becomes one dimentional lacking dynamic contrast and that essential feeling of space and time. Decent close — but far too late.

Overall: Another undewhelming one I'm afraid a mid-field finish beckons?

10.25hrs
Zone One, Richard Ward, 2

Broad but not detailed to start, it lacks warmth in the tonal structure.

Some neat aspects but the balance is not as it should be. This really lacks space and time — and is somewhat colourless too.

Technically proficient but this is a piece that needs so much more than this.

It's scrappy and one dimensional as we head for the close.

Overall: An orchestral approach one feels but an underwhelming brass band experience. A bit disappointing.

10.00hrs
Brass Band Willebroek, Frans Violet, 1

Excellent start so much control and precision with plenty of energy. We hear the different stratas of the tonal structure.

Lovely contrasts too, here is a band playing with space and time. Develops a real purpose and this has control and musicality. Ending is racked up in excitement but it retains the essential characteristics of the title.

Overall: A very high class marker. This is a peformance of real stature to start.