Draw: 2011 Second Section National Finals
The 2011 Lower Section National Finals sponsored by Allianz, Yamaha and Wright & Round is taking place at The Centaur Conference Centre, Cheltenham.
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Saturday 24th September
Test Piece: Portrait of a City (Philip Sparke)
Draw: c.8.30am
Commence: c9.30am
Comments by Malcolm Wood
Adjudicators: Steve Sykes & Dr Roger Webster
4BR Prediction:
What an enjoyable contest from start to finish. It was a good overall standard, but it came to a very exciting climax.
The last three bands really upped the ante and we think it could be between Haydock, Yorkshire Police and Morecambe.
Brunel were also very good around the halfway point with Thundersley producing a fine effort early doors. Llwydcoed could force their way into the top six with their well worked account.
Our dark horse is Barnsley Chronicle.
1. Haydock
2. South Yorkshire Police
3. Morecambe
4. Brunel
5. Thundersley
6. Llywdcoed
Dark Horse: Barnsley Chronicle
South Yorkshire Police, Leigh Baker, Yorkshire, 17
Big and bold — what a fine sound. This is confidence personified. MD asks for a free flowing feel and gets it. Detail and balance and plenty of classy playing. A real statement of intent.
Refined in contrast this — a lovely relaxed sense of the austere. Music flows without too many problems and there is a lovely sense of stylish lyrical beauty to this.
Upbeat and exciting — this is the nightlife all right! Bold and exciting — just a bit OTT in places, but the vibrancy never wavers and it has a fine final section that really stamped its authority.
Overall: Really good stuff. Up there in the prizes for us — and perhaps even a potential winner.
Star Player: Solo cornet — lead with such style from start to finish
Morecambe, Andrew Warriner, North West, 16
Nice opening. The musical style comes through with some lovely touches from solo lines. There is a relaxed feel to this which is persuasive. Enjoyable.
A clam aura is created and this is helped by some fine solo and ensemble work. Music flows well and we like the little touches of extra freedom. Cultured and controlled to clsoe.
Bold and confident, all the musical statements are laid out clearly. Full of life and just the right hint of excitement. A fine final section brings things to an energetic close.
Overall: Another top class account that should be in the mix.
Star Player: Solo cornet was the pick of a fine bunch.
Haydock, Mark Quinn, North West, 15
Bold and very confident opening means that the music comes thrillingly to life. No fuss approach gives this real security too and the clarity of the main lines is pronounced.
Nice stuff. Control and balance, all with the right feel of wistful delicacy. Music flows with solo lines of quality and ensemble of solidity.
More confident playing — all backed by a stylish approach that brings the nightlife into bright focus. This is upbeat, clean and very neat. Great change of gear to race for home too.
Overall: A very fine performance this — a leader for us.
Star Player: Euph and solo cornet share the spoils. Two excellent leaders.
Catterick Brass, Brenden Wheeler, North of England, 14
Cautious approach to open, but it soon comes thrillingly to life. There is much to admire about the playing here — solid, safe and detailed.
Sedate tempo is a touch sleepy perhaps, but it is very effective nonetheless. Euphonium is a real star — a beautiful singing voice. The close is full of atmosphere.
Poor start and it takes time to settle. A pity, but concentration has waned. Recovers with a real kick of vibrancy. The final sections are delivered with musical as well as techncial authority.
Overall: Had the mark of a podium finisher but the final movement may well cost them today.
Star Player: The euph — take a bow.
Northfleet Brass, Melvin White, London & Southern Counties, 13
Another opting for a steady approach to open, but it settles into a nice flow, which is detailed but relaxed. There is a lightness of touch on display here that not too many have shown today.
A relaxed, calming approach does settle into something of merit. Nice touches with phrase endings give this a lovley flowing feel. Interesting approach, but it does work.
A real contrast too with the west end finale — full of life, detail and verve. Not everything quite knits at times, but what is lost in the excitement isn't much.
Overall: Different. No doubt about it. We liked it, but will it register in the box?
Star Player: Sop — a delicate topping of class
Barnsley Chronicle, Rob Straw, Yorkshire, 12
Good solid opening. Lively but controlled with neat dynamic contrasts and confident support from solo and ensemble lines.
More confident playing — although this time it is delivered with a sense of mellow wistfulness that is appealing. Cornet in particular shines with fine euph support and ensemble of character.
Vibrant and purposeful in final movement. Gets a little scrappy in places, but the excitement and colour is evident from all around the stands. What a good close too.
Overall: A very confident band that certainly delivered today.
Star Player: The solo cornet was classy — very classy in fact.
City of Discovery, Bruce Wallace, Scotland, 11
A bright and breezy opening has a real fizz and energy. Not everything interms of detail is heard but the approach is so upbeat and vibrant that they just about get away with it.
There is a fine feel to this — flowing and quite delicate. The ensemble supports the soloists. It's not perfect but the appraoch is persuasive.
Be bold! It's a bit too steady really. The nightlife is taking time to coem out and play. Sounds a little tired and in need of a spark of life. Just scrappy to end.
Overall: A decent account today that just fell away in the last section.
Star Player: The flugel was a lovely mellow counterpoint throughout.
Llwydcoed, Gary Davies, Wales, 10
A well controlled opening is played at a steady pace. The detail is heard and the balance is well maintained. Slick playing but not over excitable.
All is tranquil and peaceful — helped by a flowing tempo and some lovely touches from the soloists and the main ensemble. The reflection is well maintained too with the musical approach.
Steady as she goes. Just needs a bit more daring in the tempo, but its all in the right place. Well defined playing and the gear change at the close was unexpected, but welcome.
Overall: A good, solid account this with a neat twist at the end.
Star Player: A euph of real quality was on show today — from start to finish.
Halfway break
Halfway point in the Second Section and its been a fine contest, with not a single bad performance.
It's a very close battle between Brunel, Lewis Merthyr and Thundersley so far though for us, but with plenty for good bands to come.
Brunel Brass, John Winterflood, West of England, 9
Steady approach — but it has a fine flow and the dynamics and the detail are so clear. This is excellent playing. A stamp of quality to start without a doubt.
Serene approach works well. Just the little hint of discomfort here and there, but the musical flow is so persuasive. Nice dynamic contrasts and high class control.
This is more high class playing. Bravo MD — the approach is first class and the playing is the same. What a cracking close too.
Overall: This is one for the judges to ponder for certain. Little moments but overall it had such a musical presence.
Star Player: Cornet and euph will have to fight to the death to get the plaudits. Both were excellent.
Pendennis Brass Falmouth, Steve Thomas, West of England, 8
A touch cautious to start but this is well set out and played with control. Just needs a little more flow in places but you can hear what the MD is trying to portray.
Autumn is settled and peaceful. It doesn't quite gel in places and takes time to settle. Not quite in control, but the musical picture was well shaped.
More like it! Bold and vibrant, and although not all detail is clear you can really feel the pulse of music. Plenty to enjoy here and it carries on to the bright and purposeful ending.
Overall: Got better as it went along this, with a cracking last movement building on a musical second.
Star Player: A sterling job from the solo trombonist.
Lewis Merthyr, Gareth Pritchard, Wales, 7
A very good opening. Delivered with a touch of aplomb. Controlled and detailed with real dynamic definition. Impressive.
A golden glow to Autumn made possible by some lovely music making. Soloists are classy and everything is delivered with a touch of refinement.
Nice opening this — just gets a touch scrappy, but so confident and delivered with a sense of vibrancy. The control is impressive and the detail from the middle of the band is heard. Fine close.
Overall: This was an impressive showing — delivered with a touch of musical refinement that may well show well in the box.
Star Player: Rock solid solo cornet was a leader of quality.
Cockerton Prize Silver, George Nicklin, North of England, 6
A very steady feel to the opening is delivered with confidence. A bit of the safe side perhaps, but that may not be a bad thing today. Just needs a bit more brio in places to make the skyline really come to life.
Peaceful and settled. Again it just needs a bit of tempo, but this is tasteful playing and the musical shape is there to be heard. Lovely euph and cornet feature well in a movement that grew in stature.
More steady playing. The dynamics are heard, but nightlife in London has a bit more brio than this. It starts to pick up now and it grows in confidence and excitement. Fine close.
Overall: Steady and controlled. Just needed a bit more brio perhaps but there was something of note about this one.
Star Player: Solo cornet — a performance to savour
Bilton Silver (Rugby), David Stowell, Midlands, 5
It's a quick sounding opening and the tempo doesn't relent. It sweeps through the skyline and loses detail here and there. It's an exciting one though and a bold close gives a stamp of authority.
Nice and calm this — and a lovely solo cornet brings a sense of lyrical style to the stillness. This is well played and the direction from the MD has given this a touch of class. Nice.
Bold opening statements are again on the brisk side. Just gets a little frenetic in places and the loss of detail may hurt. Loads of nightlife though — and exciting too, right to the end.
Overall: Slightly inconsistent this — but so vibrant in places that it may just catch the ear in the box.
Star Player: Solo cornet in the middle section in particular was a class act.
Thundersley, Jeremy Wise, London & Southern Counties, 4
A good opening — full of life and the tempo helps this along. The detail is all on display and we hear real dynamic contrast. A bold statement of intent this.
Lovely bubbly. Peaceful and reflective with a neat sense of wistfulness. This has a real musical shape and style and the players are following the MDs instructions to a tee.
Bold and purposeful. Good tempos allow detail to come through. This is a London of good manners and style. Excellent close too.
Overall: A very good one this from another MD and band with London pride in their blood. Excuse the pun — but Wise heads ruled this one.
Star Player: Solo cornet was a classy leader and soloist. Bravo.
Becontree Brass, Adam Cooke, London & Southern Counties, 3
A steady opening, but there is a fine flow to the music. Lots of detail and we enjoy the control. It's a skyline of good taste this — well set out and with purpose.
Tranquil opening has a lovely peaceful feel. Some neat touches from solo lines and you can feel the sense of stillness in the air. A lovely close ends a well delivered bit of playing.
A lively west end and the playing has a neat, vibrant feel. The band sounds at home with this — perhaps a few locals work in the city. The quality holds up right to the end too.
Overall: Another good one. Full of London pride this.
Star Player: The euph was as sparkling as a pearly king.
Granite City Brass, Alan Haggart, Scotland, 2
Slightly unsteady opening but there is a nice feel to this and the lively upbeat tempo works well. There is a flow and sense of style to this skyline of London.
Lovely euph opening and all is calm and so well portrayed. London life is still and atmospheric and the control on show is neatly portrayed. Just the smallest moment of concern here and there.
Steady opening — London nightlife is full of revellers. Music has a steady nice flow and the odd moment when it doesn't quite go to plan. Just loses its compactness to close.
Overall: Very steady and well set out this. A decent effort.
Star Player: Solo cornet was a beacon of London pride.
9.30:
Leicestershire Co-op, Graham Jacklin, Midlands, 1
Bold, bright opning is full of verve and atmosphere. There is a great deal of detail heard and the tempos are spot on. Closes well.
Lovely euph to open and the dynamics and ensemble is so well controlled. Autumnal atmosphere in the air — fine portrait this.
It's vibrant and upbeat and the west end is fill of life, and the odd raver! Agin, the detail is heard and the lighteness of touch is very good from the MD and players.
Overall: A real marker of quality this.
Star Player: A lovely sweet toned sop was a shining star.
