ARTICLES

2003 Spring Brass Band Festival

83rd Spring Brass Band Festival
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Saturday 3rd May 2003

Senior Trophy:

4BR Retrospective and Official Adjudicators Remarks

The Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Eric Ball's Tournament for Brass, David Read and Alan Lawton adjudicating, 20 quality bands and the Senior Trophy to compete for. All the ingredients for a fine contest and we weren’t let down it was thoroughly enjoyable!

The winners, Pennine Brass, were worthy champions indeed and directed by Ian Porterhouse, were clearly the best band in the section. The next five or six home, we felt, were pretty close all producing very good performances and they were followed by eight or nine bands that played well but had more technical and perhaps nerves problems. The final five or six bands found the tricky piece perhaps a little too demanding.


1st: Pennine Brass.

Pennine set out their stall right from the first note with good balance and individual sounds from horn and flugel that hinted at what was to come - a very classy sound throughout the whole piece. For us, they hardly put a foot wrong. Technically very good, musically wonderful and their conductor must be really pleased with the confident way that they performed.
An exciting 1st movement followed by a beautiful second movement and then a brilliant third. Great individual performances from principal cornet, euphonium, flugel, horn and trombone with really good work noted from solo baritone, however the soprano was outstanding on a day where plenty of others faltered.
Full marks for balance, tuning, great use of dynamics, correct pace and musical interpretation.
1st for the adjudicators and 1st for us.

Best performer - soprano.

2nd: Bournemouth Concert.

Bournemouth performed with credit and caught the adjudicator’s ears who placed them second. We thought that they had more problems than that and had them 10th. However, a good trombone section was evident throughout with some good individual performances from principal cornet and the euphonium of Christiaan Squibb (who’s contribution to the playing should also be commended) and nice middle of the band.

1st movement got a lot better as it progressed with the band sounding impressive at [7].
We felt the march was a little slow but sounded very good. 2nd movement didn’t start together with missed notes in the ensemble and we thought that there were intonation problems in this movement with splits and insecurity but good inner detail from flugel / barit. / s.horn / e flat bass between [8] and [10], supporting a very impressive principal cornet Erwin Dekempeneer who won the contests soloist prize - congratulations. 3rd movement started with slips from solo cornets but contained some neat playing, however, intonation was noted in sop and flug. at [3]. At [5] + [8] not together and some detail was missing and the misterioso wasn’t together. The flugel and solo trombone played well at [11] and [13] receptively. Big sound near the end and the detail was all heard leading to a good lento and finish.

Best performer - euphonium.


3rd: Dallmellington

Dallmellington was, for us, in that group of very good bands that played very, very well without being quite able to challenge Pennine. Superb interpretation as one would take for granted from Mr.Evans, with the band producing very warm and rich sounds throughout.
Two very good outer movements that excited us and a good second movement that just had flaws between [2] and [4] with some insecurity noted at the beginning of the movement.
Really enjoyable - we had them 4th, the adjudicators 3rd.

Best performer - principal cornet.


4th: Haydock

Fine performance from Haydock with Ian Brownbill providing an excellent reading of the music. This was a joy to listen to with fine individual performances from cornet, euphonium, solo horn and solo trombone. Solo baritone also noted doing some excellent work, however, the flugel was outstanding on the day. Haydock certainly are a hard band to get past but what lost it for us was in the second movement where there were tuning difficulties around [11]. The sop appeared flat just before [3] and onwards but overall a great performance.
We had them 3rd, the adjudicators 4th.

Best performer - flugel

5th: Bo'ness & Carriden

Another creditable performance from this band who we had as a "dark horse". Again good outer movements were noted but they didn’t seem comfortable at the beginning of the 2nd movement and there were splits in the horn part after [2] and further tweeks in the s.cornet after [8]. The misterioso was a bit quick and there were also one or two spots of intonation throughout the piece - however, an enjoyable performance. We had them 11th,the adjudicators 5th.

Best performer - principal cornet


6th: Drighlington

Fine performance from Drighlington. Confident playing was noted in the 1st movement with just the odd slip but the playing got better as it went along. The 2nd movement opened well and this was one of the more emotional performances with the M.D. drawing some lovely sounds and shapes. There was some very warm and lyrical playing from the solo cornet in this movement. Some blips around [10] but very good through [11] - good troms and basses.
The 3rd movement sounded a shade quick for us and there were some clips up to [1] but there was some good use of dynamics. Some slips through [3] and the sop appeared flat here. The remainder of the piece was very entertaining. We had them 5th,the adjudicators 6th.

Best performer - principal cornet


7th: City of Coventry

Good performance from Coventry. We felt that the opening was a little quick and there were splits early on, but it got better and far more secure. 1st movement finished with a couple of splits. 2nd movement started well and was very warm. Solo Horn played very well at [2] but there were odd slips and touches of intonation all through the soloists up to [9]. Euphonium did very well at [5] and the movement closed very effectively. The scherzo started very well but seemed to speed up around [2]. Splits at [3] and then excellent flugel. The rest of the movement went really well until the allegro at the end where the band did not come off together. Good show but the individual errors cost them we think. 7th for 4BR and 7th for the adjudicators.

Best performer - flugel

8th: Riddings

Another solid performance from Riddings for us. Their best playing came in the third movement which was very effective but there was problems here and there with balance, dynamics and some tuning issues at the end of the movement in movement 2.
Movement 1 was quite effective with good trombones and basses noted with just a couple of individual errors. Riddings did a good job but for us just lacked some of the sparkle of the top six bands. 16th for us, 8th for the adjudicators - what do we know!

Best performer - flugel


9th: City of Oxford

Oxford gave us an exciting 1st movement with plenty of spirited playing with good sounds and a great march at [8] complimented by great sop through [9] and brilliant basses. The promise evaporated with a poor start to the 2nd movement which got better as it went on with good playing from sop, solo cornet, horn and v.good basses. 3rd movement was very effective with good tempo and generally good playing from all of the band. A few problems with intonation but this is a band to watch out for in the future. 9th for us as well.

Best performers - basses

10th: Unison Kinneil

Kinneil, for us, gave a great account with a 1st movement that was full of excitement and life and very little to criticise. A very well worked.2nd movement had some splits up to [1] and a little intonation before [2], but the soloists and support from the band through the remainder of the movement was very, very good with a superb horn at [2]
Movement 3 delivered the same quality, great soloists again with lovely flugel. This was a very satisfying performance. Unlucky we had them 2nd, the adjudicators,10th

Best performer - flugel


11th: Longridge

Good attempt from Longridge but some of the tempos felt fast and at times it felt a little too heavy. Some styles that are required for some of the modern pieces but not this one. It was certainly a very spirited performance but not really capturing the Eric Ball feel. We will hear a lot more about Longridge we’re sure but this wasn’t their piece we feel for them. We had them 15th.

Best performer - principal cornet

12th: Soham Comrades

A solid performance from Soham with a good opening and some impressive playing in the first movement that was only spoiled by a poor ending. Movement 2.was very good but a little loud compared to some of the other bands. Good solo horn at [2] and lovely sop followed. Good solo cornet was noted and inner parts work well for E flat bass/flugel/barit./horn. Things were a bit untuneful after [10] with a good close. The Scherzo started a bit loud and not always together however it sounded very good indeed from [4] onwards. Bit unlucky we had them 6th, the adjudicators,12th

Best performer - principal cornet

13th: Johnstone

Johnstone provided us with a very effective and satisfying 3rd movement but the first movement felt nervous at the start followed by splits and a bit of rushing. The ending was very effective though. Movement 2 we felt caught the band out with a shaky start with things not quite together and a bit of intonation creeping in. Insecurity was noted around [3] though an effective finish. Maybe nerves got the better of this band in places. We had them 12th.

Best performer - flugel

14th: Wakefield Met.

Wakefield had problems on the 6th bar where they weren’t together but gave a good account through the movement with just a little rushing here and there. 2nd movement started with a poor first note and seemed a little quick. The barit and solo cornet were not together before [2] but the Solo horn was excellent on the solo and there was then fine playing from all.
3rd movement started very briskly and they paid the price with splits after [1]. Some insecurity noted in this movement but a fine finish. Not their day,13th for us,14th for the adjudicators.

Best performer - solo horn


15th: Thornbury

Thornbury were very entertaining for us with an impressive start followed by lovely horn & flugel. A couple of little slips and some untunefulness at [4] detracted from what was an otherwise a good 1st movement. 2nd movement started slow but was semplice - a married mans gallop but very effective - good soloists noted and Mr. Baglin drew out some real sentimental stuff here - excellent. 3rd movement was effective with good controlled playing noted. We felt this band should have featured more highly - we had them 8th.

Best performer - euphonium

16th: Mid - Rhondda

Good attempt from this band and the performance had more than it's fair share of rewarding moments in all three movements but generally most things sounded safe rather than sparkling or exciting. It just didn’t sound as adventurous as some of the other bands. There were odd slips and things were not together in the third movement. Good work from the soloists and great direction in the 2nd movement. 14th for us.

Best performer - solo horn


17th: Northop

Northop seemed to struggle with the piece. They seemed very loud to start with and there were intonation, technical problems and lost detail which marred the 1st movement. Intonation dogged the second movement as well before their best playing came in the third movement. Good flugel, trombone and solo cornet were noted. Good ending spoiled by the last note. Not their day and17th for us as well.

Best performer - euphonium

18th: Mossley

Mossley's performance was unfortunately characterised by the ensemble parts not being together. Some intonation problems and splits in every movement - one of those days.
Mossley are a better band than this performance and they will show us that in the future.
An off day we think. We had them 18th as well.

Best performer - solo horn


19th: Nottingham

Fast opening for this band so up to [5] a lot of detail seemed lost. [7] was good but not together in the march. The movement ended a little untidily. 2nd movement started poorly and fast. Some of the entries were not smooth. Some tuning problems noted and the whole movement seemed to go too fast for us. 3rd movement was fast and lost detail and the band didn’t really handle this fast tempo too well. Tournament for Brass won this one! 19th for us as well.

Best performer - euphonium

20th: Kippax

Somebody has to come last but maybe Kippax were a little out of their depth today. Spirited stuff but the band didn’t really get to grips with this difficult and tricky piece. Problems in all departments and we think the adjudicators were right with their placing.

Best performer - flugel

To conclude every band should be thanked for a fine contest and it was a rare treat to hear such a fine composition played once again. The organisers should be congratulated for this and it made for a fine contest – right from the start. It also showed that a good old ’un is still a test for good standard bands on the day. Well done to the qualifiers and hard luck to those who just missed out.

John Ludden © 4BarsRest

© 4BarsRest

83rd Spring Festival – Senior Trophy
3rd May 2003 – Tournament for Brass
Adjudicators Remarks

Pennine Brass
Draw 12 – Placing 1

David Read

1. Very good sound to open all detail clearly heard (also some mispitching). We become loose at and around [6] I am impressed with the sound but there are careless lapses in pitch and at times a little loose playing

2. A little heavy but a warm sound and good balance [1] lovely, shape and style from solo cor. [2] well done Solo Horn – lovely sound [5] Euph plays a good part [8] Well shaped and expressed Solo cor. [11] Tuning not good

3. just a shade quick but very good sounds, keep the figure in compound time. No problems with the technique [13] Solo cnt. Excellent – impressive playing as we proceed to the close.

A good sounding band the first movement presented some problems but overall a well prepared performance.

Alan Lawton

1. A good tempo and style to open. Not secure before and into [4] Poor tuning 2 before [5] from [5] the playing is not secure. Good style at [8] It lacks good rhythm at times through [11] Good close.

2. Not together to open, but good balance. Rather heavy for pp Lovely cornet at [1] very expressive. Fine horn solo just the odd clip on the upper note. Safe euph at [5] at [8] I feel part of the solo is just rushed, it needs just a little more space. Poor tuning at [11].

3. just a shade fast but all the detail is clear. [3] should be played more rhythmically, this is correct at [6] again at [9] it requires more rhythm. Safe but rather loud at [11] V.Good duet at [13] Not secure 1 before [18] Good close.

A very good performance that just lacked good rhythm but played with musical feeling. Well directed.

Thank you.

Bournemouth Concert
Draw 20 – Placing 2

David Read

1. Good confident sound all notes in the proper place. [2] Just a little loose but as you progress the playing is of a good standard, just one or two scratches. However it has been a well judged movement.

2. Not quite together but a warm sound pervades and well balanced [1] Well shaped solo cornet, only minor blemish. [2] Good sound from Solo Horn again a minor blemish – Good sop noted. [5] fine Solo euph well shaped [8] Excellent Solo Cornet and so well shaped and tuned congratulations good close.

3. Good tempo and all parts fit the musical picture. I like the compound feel that you give to the music. [11] rather heavy but the music flows and I note the dynamics [13] Well controlled Solo Cor/Trom – Good playing through to the close.

A very well prepared performance.

Alan Lawton

1. Good opening with some neat playing then some nervous moments from [3] Good accel. To tempo Good flow at [5] A rather slow tempo at [8] good move into [10] Just the odd insecurity at times but a musical movement.

2. Not together to open and not always secure but a nice warm sound. Expressive cornet at [1] Good sound from the horn at [2] Well played. Good Euph at [5] Just the final note not secure. Lovely sounds at [8] Very expressive Cornet. Good sounds and balance to close.

3. Good tempo but the playing is rather insecure at times. Good rhythm and style Good effects through [8] Flug rather loud for mp at [11] but good dynamic change before [13] Well played through [13] Good close.

A very good performance that painted a fine overall picture. Well directed.

Thank you

Dalmellington
Draw 5 – Placing 3

David Read

1. Steady tempo but better for it. All detail heard clearly. Good bass line noted. Notes are well measured [8] Not quite together and rather quick in tempo however the playing as we progress is well controlled with a firm foundation form basses.

2. Warm sound if a little heavy as Sop enters! [1] Expressive playing form soloist [2] Fine horn sounds – just the odd lapse. Good musical shape. [5] Well done all including acc. [8] excellent so well expressed and shaped. Fine playing to close. (Well done basses!)

3. Neat, all groupings are heard particularly Basses. Playing of a high standard the shape of the music is good and expressive when it should be [13] Does not quite fit however the ‘music’ has spirit and life.

A good performance the spirit of the music captured spoiled only a little by slight lapses.

Alan Lawton

1. A good bold start with fine balance. Nice sounds and balance Good playing from [5] The playing has good style at [8] but perc. Just rush. Good detail and dynamics from [10] A good movement.

2. A well balanced and warm opening just clips in sop. [1] This is well played and shaped. Horn begins well then gets a little nervous. Fine Euph and accmpts at [5]
[7] You give this space and the soloist is v.good A fine close.

3. A god tempo the music has life and creates interest. Good bounce to the music at [6] some insecurity before [10] Good p at [17] Good close.

A very good musical performance, well directed.

Thank You.

Haydock
Draw 11 – Placing 4

David Read

1. Good sounds heard to commence. Some slight mispitching but you do play with restraint. [8] Good and the playing is rhythmic and well measured. Good well controlled.

2. Not quite balanced but well restrained [1] Confident and expressive if a little strong [2] Solo Horn lays with good shape and sound. [5] Euph fine just one or two slight misses. [8] Just a little too quick for the music to be expressed fully but well played solo cornet. Good close – let the bass finish!

3. Neat and rhythmic and dynamic marks observed. This is very good playing – all well controlled. [11] let the music flow [13] Excellent and the playing is confident through to the close.

Good performance – more time needed in second movement I feel.

Alan Lawton

1. A good balanced sound to open but some insecure playing creeps in. Poor tuning 2 before [4] Good effects from [5] A good feel for the music at [8] also at [10] A good attention to detail in this movement.

2. Nice tempo but rather top heavy in the balance. Stylish cornet at [1] Fine horn – very expressive. Expressive Euph at [5] just marred at the end. At [8] the music needs to be more laid back to give the music space but a fine player. Bass doesn’t finish last note.

3. Good tempo and a good musical feel. The playing has life. Good move into [10] then very effective. [11] this doesn’t flow as well as previous. Fine duet at [13] Good close to a consistent movement.

A good performance that was full of musical interest.

Thank You.

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