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National Finals 2002: Live From Torquay....
Third Section
Bands/Draw/Results:
Test Piece - "Cherchebi" - Goff Richards
Saturday September 20th
Adjudicators:
Philip Wilby and Goff Richards
The results:
1. Silk Brass 192
2. Wire Brass 190
3. Middleton 189
4. Briton Ferry 188
5. Raunds Temperance 187
6. RBL Crownhill Plymouth 186
7. Arrow Valley 185
8. Carlton Brass 184
9. Castleton 183
10. Helston Town 182
11. Hebdon Bridge 181
12. Arbroath Instrumental 180
13. Yiewsley and West Drayton 179
14. Shotts St. Patricks 178
15. Oughtibridge 177
16. Ellington Colliery 176
17. Michelmersh Silver 175
18. Houghton Brass 174
19. Blaenavon Town 173
The draw:
17. Arbroath Instrumental, Michael Robertson
18. Arrow Valley Brass, Andy Culshaw
15. Blaenavon Town, Bryn Davies
6. Briton Ferry Silver, Mike Faro
13. Carlton Brass, Tony Wilson
12. Castleton Brass, David Aves
7. Ellington Colliery, Denis Wright
2. Hebden Bridge (Walkleys), Ian Craddock
5. Helston Town, Edward Ashton
1. Houghton Brass, Tom Gibson
3. Michelmersh Silver, Brian Kelloway
11. Middleton, Shane Foster
4. Oughtibridge, David Moore
19. Raunds Temperance, John Fletcher
16. Royal British Legion Crownhill (Plymouth) Denzil Stephens
8. Shotts St.Patrick's Brass, Simon Kerwin
10. Silk Brass Astra Zeneca (Macclesfield), Ken Mackintosh
14. Wire Brass, Paul Andrews
9. Yiewsley & West Drayton, Christopher Cole
4BR Comments:
1. Houghton Brass
1. Controlled opening. Glock just a little out, but it is good playing and the mood is set. Just rocks towards the end.
2. The music lacks a certain warmth. Not quite working together and there is not quite enough atmosphere.
3. Better opening this time. Bass/Euph a little choppy. Tuning in the middle of the band is just a bit off. Staedy playing to DS. Better second time around.
4. Good opening. Nice troms. This is a steady and controlled march. A little less compelling after the repeat. The music now suffers a little as the band seems to tire. A fair performance off the dreaded number one spot.
Star Player: Flugel horn - nice sounds throughout
Dodgy Moment: Conducot bring on own stand. There might be Germs???
2. Hebden Bridge Walkleys
1. Atmospheric opening which is controlled and well balanced. This continues with bright tempo and good ensemble playing. Much detail is heard and there are nice changes in style.
2. Hard edge to open, but mellow sounds come across as the movement develops. Controlled build to the music.
3. Clean entries and well played. Well done euph/basses. Controlled playing is again evident. This continues to a comfortable finish.
4. Fair opening. Good march sound with nice solo lines. Percussion do well and this is good charged stuff through to the end.
Star Player: Solo Horn - quality from start to finish
Dodgy Moment: Percussion go a bit slap stick setting up.
3. Michaelmersh Silver
1. Rhythmic start - the music has breadth as well. Things get a little rushed in the excitment and it is not always clean. Good troms lead into some fine ensemble work.
2. Tuning detracts but the music settles and moves more carefully. Good shapes but a little unbalanced. A shame.
3. Nice start in upper band. Euph and basses shape the music quite well. It is not always 100% convincing though. Perc missing?
4. Good upper band playing. Circus march tempo which is not clean. It comes under control from Maestoso. Just little hiccups spoil, but there are real moments of good playing.
Star Player: Flugel - always in control
Dodgy Moment: Perc does a sicky in the third movement?
4. Oughtibridge
1. Sixes not always measured. Band intonation isn't great and more care is needed with semi quavers. Troms a little aggresive! Poor tuning to end.
2. Lyrical sounds from middle of the band, but muted cornet work is right out of tune! Blips and blobs detract and there are plenty of domino entries.
3. Starts better, but it all lacks excitment and there are parts missing in the perc department?
4. Music lacks clarity - and the percussion again struggle - but well done Glock! It is all quite untidy and untuneful. Bloody Hell troms! We are sorry, but this ain't good stuff.
Star Player: Solo Horn - clam amongst the storm
Dodgy Moment: Troms on testosterone!
5. Helston Town
1. Fair opening - a little unbalanced but exciting style. Good troms (muted gliss). Nice move in to legato.
2. Comfortable opening - quite controlled and the music flows well. MOments of intonation spoil which is a pity.
3. Not bad opening. Basses and euph go off at end of phrase. Triangle gets away from band but nice snare work. Smooth broad sounds from the band.
4. Good opening with nice cresc. March is quite well played again good snare. This is good music making - shame about timp towards end.
Star player: Solo trom - confident plating throughout
Dodgy moment: dropped mute and noisy wind chimes
6. Briton Ferry
1. Clean opening - all the detail is heard. Good ensemble and change in tempo. Trom gliss doesn't quite speak first time. Excellent reading of rit.
2. Tidy opening - tubular bells come through well. Confident trom and cornet - this is controlled stuff - nice sop work.
3. Not quite together at opening. Good attention to detail middle of the band and basses. Steady stuff with good perc work. Rounded out nicely.
4. Again good opening. A little unbalanced to begin. Nice glock with euph and good snare work. This is really commendable playing to the end. A quality performance that should do well
Star player: Solo horn - great tone
Dodgy moment: clutch of visible handbags!
7. Ellington Colliery
1. Controlled opening - warm and lyrical ensemble. very good into bright section which is very brisk. Bold dynamics. Timps holds on too long at end.
2. Fair start. Middle of band play with warm sounds. Muted cornets not quite together. MD looks for bigger sounds that aren't there. A good effort.
3. Nice opening. Basses fluffy. Nice euph and cornet solo. Glock and band don't gel but nice tone.
4. Good cornet intro and the march is well managed. Polished sop work. Snare ahead of band marginally but good glock anf euph. It tends to rush at times but good finish.
Star player: Solo euph - confidently played throughout
Dodgy moment: Conductor started before MC announcement!
8. Shott's St.Patrick
1. Effective opening - but from A the ensemble is poor. Tuning suffers too many times. It's good and bad, but the latter has the upper hand more often.
2. Not a great opening. Recovers though and there are better phases throughout here. Tuning again suffers and ensemble is loose. More dynamic contrast is needed.
3. Better start - neat euph and basses in the runs. Band play this well - good sounds. Tires 2nd time around to an untuneful end.
4. Untidy start - but a good recovery. This is very well handled. If only it could have all been like this throughout. Flat timp puts a damp squib on the end!
Star Player: Solid and classy throughout.
Dodgy Moment: Perc drops sticks just as baton due to be raised - not good for the nerves!!
9. Yiewsley and West Drayton
1. Not a bad opening, but pick up to A is awful. Tuning is a real weak point and spoils the solid work. Has its moments - but not many we are afraid.
2. Another poor pick up spoils things. Again the tuning has gone peetong! Brave attempt at dynamics but it lacks solidity.
3. A better opening, but hang on euphs and basses - the skates are on! MD works hard to remove the wheels. Louder stuff is OK but perc indulges in a bit of brush work on the semis. 2nd time around things are better, but the movement ends weakly.
4. Nearly good to open and this is the best playing so far. Well done percussion department! The movement ends well except the timp entry in last but one bar. The bloody instrument needs tightening up someone!
Star Player: Soprano - well done mate.
Dodgy Moment: Oh No! MD. White jacket, green shirt and black tie - a horror show!
10. Silk Brass
1. Solid start - it's big and bold. Lots of detail especially back row cornets. It's all a little one dimensional in the dynamics (loud) but well handled and exciting. Good start.
2. Decent start. A little less comfortable but its all in the right place with good style. The standard is maintained.
3. A well handled movement. Lots of quality and style. Well done bass end. What a shame about the last chord - way out of tune.
4. A bit up tempo maybe? Much detail lost, but it recovers as we go along. Some classy solo cornet playing and a fine close to the movement - except timp again (this time an octave out of tune!). A fine show - could it be Silky Brass??
Star Player: Solo Cornet - excellent throughout.
Dodgy Moment: 2nd cornet wearing a red muffler around the neck. Band colours though. Hope there isn't anything wrong though mate.
11. Middleton Band
1. Nice intro - all detail clear. Good dynamic into solid emsemble. Brisk tempo but intonation problems. Tuning in upper band attract attention but good style.
2. Not a clean start - music then has a nice flow and is shaped. Moments of uncertainty but musicality is there.
3. Fair intro and nice detail in bass/euph figure. Good muted cornets and troms. Movement ends well.
4. Good opening and nice build. Good march style and solid trombone work. Clean playing and well balanced. Nice euph - foot-tapping stuff! An enjoyable performance
Star player: Sop - safe as houses
Dodgy moment: Timp ending was a bit of a "oh! dear!"
12. Castleton Brass
1. Safe opening. Emsemble nicely together. Very bright tempo - exciting but not quite together. Solid chord to end.
2. Better entry this time. Well shaped by MD but cracks are more than apparent!
3. Good start. Good basses. Band work hard to get effective crescendo. Very dominant triangle - really good snare work. Band plays well but basses not 100%
4. Clean opening. Good march feel. Best playing is in this section. Pity they weren't just judged on this movement!
Star player: Kit player - bob-on - and nice shirt!
Dodgy moment: Euph player had one of those days
13. Carlton Brass
1. Confident start - then off at a lick. Troms use direction effectively. Just a little untogether at this pace. Pushes on in legato section.
2. Nice choral style. Safe trom and euph work - in fact - safe overall if not a little one dynamic.
3. Decent muted cornets - volume varies as players knit their parts. OK to moving phase when intonation besets. Cornets steady the ship and it rounds out nicely.
4. Good opening and good trom again. Let's go boys!!! Top (very little) glock player. Deliberate work but flies towards the end.
Star player: Solo Trom - Very effective
Dodgy moment: Band's entrance - such a mazy walk!
14. Wire Brass
1. Stylish opening. Solid ensemble and good dynamics. Brisk but there is lots of clarity. Good euph. It top quality and exciting stuff!
2. Warm sounds fron lower end. Clean playing with lots of detail. The movement closes well.
3. The odd stutter in bass line - but overall the section runs smnoothly. Good cresc effects and lovely bass link to lyrical playing. A good close.
4. Solid trom work. Stirring sounds create exciting music. Cornet and rep duet demonstrates competence which is emuilated. A performancwe with VAT. Great stuff
Star player: Euph - exceptional poise.
Dodgy moment: Juggling act with mutes and sticks...
15. Blaenavon
1. Just a little wayward to begin. Picks up though and from A, things are well handled. Just the odd moments of unease spoil the picture. Solid enough though.
2. Again - just a little wayward but recovers in fine style. Real effort in the dynamic with fine playing all round. Well directed and super close.
3. Better start - and a super effort from the bass end - both times! End of reprise is untidy but recovers. Another good movement.
4. Well done! Nice lilt to the march and the style is controlled. Possible a touch more sparkle - but this is well done. A real good effort.
Star player: flugel - not a foot wrong
Dodgy moment: Eb bass playing find the stand at 10.05pm...
16. RBL Crownhill (Plymouth)
1. A dodgy start - but recovers. Troms sound like a 750cc Triumph Bonny with a split exhaust - jusyt as marked on the score! A bit rough and ready but not bad!
2. Loose and untidy and it doesn't really improve. Some good moments but not the best. Poor end.
3. This is better - the emsemble is so much tighter and a good sense of style. Well done bass end - both times. Things are looking up...
4. I spoke to bloody soon... Why the speed? All detail is lost and it's so scrappy. A pity - not a bad show...
Star player: Solo trom - Barry Sheene is alive and well.
Dodgy moment: Rep player's home made mute holder - very blue and very twee.
17. Arbroath
1. Opens at 11.00pm. A decent opening -just tuning and odd blips detract. Not a bad effort, but lacks a little oomph! Safe and not sorry.
2. A wayward start but recovers. The tuning is waving goodbye too often! Brave attempt at dynamics and some good moments. it's the tuning that hurts though.
3. Good start - well done bass end! This has style and musical shape and is well handled - good playing.
4. A little too up tempo for clarity. MD makes most of it though and there is plenty to admire. Just a bit light and a touch scrappy. Well managed to a good end. A good effort - and without a sop!
Star player: Flugel - heavy with child and playing at 11.00pm on a Saturday night.
Dodgy moment: As above - God help her if anything happened.
18. Arrow Valley Brass
1. Nice bass sound under sixes. Ensemble tidy and balanced. Brisk tempo - clean semiquaver work in cornets. Nice euph. Good effect muted cornets. Little loose in repeated phase. A little overblown to close.
2. A touch scrappy to open. Nice flugel and back roe support well again. A bit one dynamic but decent close.
3. Fine opening and good top line. Controlled with tidy bass and flugel sounds. The music has breadth - best playing so far. The last section nearly comes off so well
4. Nice trom and snare in build up. More controlled work at manageable tempo. Good cornets and good counter melody. Decent playing continues to the close.
Star player: flugel - full of confidence
Dodgy moment: jackets off reveal creased shirts... not surprising...
19. Raunds Temperance
1. confident start. Nice bass line and balanced ensemble. Quick tempo but holds together well in the main. Music with plenty of verve.
2. Just a little rushed but nicely knitted together following intro. it al moves nicely along. Some nice shape to the music to a controlled close.
3. Good bass figure helps cornets and troms. Good euph and horn. Full sound comes over well. Good bass linking part and horn plays well again with flugel. Music flows here and has style through to close
4. Glock in early. Troms a little loose before march. Just a little untidy but recovers when solo cornet takes over. Continues with control. march has bite and good glock work. A creditable performance.
Star player: solo horn - solid thoroughout
Dodgy moment: Mobile goes off from one of their supporters!
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Time (12.30am) - awaiting results!!!
Expect the results very soon!
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