ARTICLES

National Championships 2003

First Section
Adjudicators Remarks

These are the official adjudications from the men in the box - not 4BR and certainly not David Blaine. These are the thoughts of Roy Newsome and James Scott.............

1st Place
BHK (UK) Ltd Horden

Roy Newsome
A very stylish opening section – great depth of sound. A fine opening section scherzo – intro to this was less impressive but form [14] all is well & the Grazioso is particularly good. [10] good but loss of clarity form [12] well measured climax at [14] Fine appass. in euph at andante all solists have style & accents contribute. The difficult section from [16] is well negotiated Build up from [17] is fine Good andante balance a great feature from [18] Slight doubt form [19] All well from [20] and the fff was most impressive Not quite co-ordinated after [23] but soon all is well. Horn solo quite beautiful and a great finish to a fine performance whaich had so much detail and musicality.
Thank you.

James Scott
Splendid solo cornet start and the band play expressively to follow with good attention to detail. The scherzo dances along very well with good though restrained sounds in full band – and the tempo is allowing space Triplets not always heard with clarity in the Grazioso – I could have accepted this a little more gracious very good soloists in the andante moderato after [14] who are all allowed space [18] is so well done by all and so expressive The point is well made at [21] Poco piu mosso and through the Allegro has much detail horn plays in the andante with repose and you go on to a controlled close.

2nd Place
United Norwest Co-op Milnrow

Roy Newsome
A nice opening dynamics and tempo well judged and the music well shaped good scherzo intro- just slightly untidy. Steps back nicely into Gazioso The syncopation not quite accurate otherwise all going well. Fine dynamic range Euph appassionato – a good section Nicely into [16] Basses well restrained at [17] and full of drama in andante. [18] nicely done by all [20] well done and a fine climax at [21] Thoughtful evne despite slight blip Commendable lightness in [22] and good technical work from [23] Horn solo a beautifully expressive section Fine vivace and a fine close to a splendid performance. Thank you.

James Scott
The opening is safe though rather too focused for semplice. The full band sounds to follow are well balanced and there is shape in the music. A very purposeful approach to the scherzo and [7] was indeed gracious! Not always ensemble clarity before [12] The solists particularly euph paly expessively in the andante moderato Good definition at the andante after [17] Expressive cornet at [18] good musical point made at rall into [21] highlighting the chord at the moderato [25] [26] well done by all Horn plays with repose in the andante and a very positive close.

A good performance with a musical approach.

3rd Place
United Co-op (Crewe)

Roy Newsome
Opening section well portrayed and going nicely into scherzo. This has poise and demonstrates fine all round technique. Steps back nicely at [7] for Gazioso Some very good ‘p’ playing and the ff is never out of control. [12] a very good section Quite impressive at [14]. Appassionato section – euph and cornet soloists good though needs more intensity. [16] all well done Basses beautifully controlled Fine moment at andante [18] all played with great character. [20] and excellent balance here Accel. Messy Some very poot intonation after [21] and a wrong note in S.Ct – should be A natural. An unaccountable lapse and then back on course Lovely horn solo and on to a fine finish
Some marvellous moments here but just a few weaknesses.

James Scott
Expressive start and this continues to the scherzo which began in a controlled approach and there is some detail in the playing. Lower dynamics are commendable the grazioso was played with clarity There is expressive playing from Euph at the andante (after [14]) though later the quality was not always maintained. [17] was very well played as was [18] the build form [19] to the a tempo was highlighted in the climax as did the did rall into [21] [23] had clarity in ensemble Horn plays with repose in andante after [26] and you move to a strong close.

Many good musical moments in this performance with a few reservations due to quality not always being maintained.

4th Place
Knottingley Silver

Roy Newsome
A fine opening section but transition into scherzo rather laboured. Scherzo going very well with just the odd split Grazioso very well handled. Intonation impeccable and a keen sense of rhythm. Poco rall before grazioso well over-cooked. A good sense of phrasing at [14] well done. Rich enough sounds in appassionato – a well balanced section [16] fine but less comfortable 7 bars later [17] good slentando too much fine work in andante [18] could be more expressive and a few lapses around [19]. [20] good well done Tbns in accel. [22] a bit steady and form Giocoso not always well co-ordinated. Horn solo quite nicely done and the ending was fine.

Much to commend here but the excessive ralls etc. tended to spoil the overall flow of the music.

James Scott
Expressive opening with good sounds in full band playing though in more exposed areas the quality does not remain consistent ( for instance tempo 1 after [2]) The scherzo has good tempo and the music trips along well though take care not to overdo the musical points (such as ralls!) Soloists paly expressively from the anadante moderato though a little forcefully I feel. [18] was very expressive and builds well though I could have accepted more of a climax at the a tempo ff [23] This did not quite work a rather untidy ensemble until [24] ! [27] did worl and on to a splendid end.

5th Place
Zone One Brass

Roy Newsome
A nicely graded opening with a pleasing warmth in the sound Runs smoothly into scherzo. God tempo style and phrasing. From [7] felt a little hurried and lost some clarity Nevertheless much to commend this so far. A well judged and well balanced euph solo and all soloists play with style. Tbns inaccurate bar after [16] Basses good at [17] and splendid ensemble in Andante. Wrong note in reps [18] & 7 (B Natural)
[21] fine good solos and tbns, bass heavy too much haste from [22] much clarity lost. Nice horn solo and accmpts well judged. A fine close to aperformance with much to commend. Perhaps some of the quieter moments could have been refined and there were occasions when an easier tempo would have provided more opportunity for detail to be heard. Good band sound and intonation, balance well judged and the performance had a good shape.

James Scott
Safe opening and there are some pleasant sounds to follow though not always detailed in balance and musicality. The scherzo is generally just a touch fast giving a feeling of ‘hurry’ to the music- it needs a little more space. Soloists after [14] are expressive. Untidy at [16] and 2/3 – and the repeat phrases at the following a tempo! [18] could have been quieter generally. After [21] some very good playing particularly 9 bars after [21] bass perhaps a little heavy Horn has the correct feeling of repose in andante before [27]

A good sound in full band tuttis throughout the performance.

6th Place
Barrow Shipyard

Roy Newsome
A pleasing opening section makes lots of points and demonstrates a good sound. Just a little over the dynamics at times. God intor to scherzo and was purposeful form [4] Good work form sop. Grazioso poses a few questions Fine intonation from [9] [10] agitato without becoming aggressive great full sound at [14] Euph good express. Ct & Trmb rather tame by comparison [16] well done and builds well [17] good and great sense of drama at Andante [18] nice expressive playing but becomes rather heavy before [19] not quite balanced at [20] but good accel and well judged climax at [21]. Slight intonation before [22] which lacks lightness. Rather quick in Giocoso and losing some clarity. Careful percussion – don’t go over the top. Nice horn solo Good close. Much promise but some inconsistencies

James Scott
A tasteful start and the full and to follow continue with musical phrasing. The scherzo has a very positive approach and there is dynamic and musical detail. Just a little untidy ensemble around [12] At the andante after [14] Euph plays with fine expression not quite matched later at [15]. [17] builds well into the andante which had a fine sound and was given space. Fine climax to [20] and here there was purpose in the playing. Sop rather forced at [22] [23] runs are p ! horn plays with shape in the Andante after [26] and you go on to a strong close.

There were some good moments in the performance – but also some reservations.

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