2011 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Contest:
Sunday 13th February
Starts: 10.30am
Entertainment Programme
Adjudicators: Jim Davies (Music), Captain Dave Barringer (Entertainment)
Additional comments at: http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Comments by Malcolm Wood
What do we think?
Once again, the Youth Entertainment contest has been a fantastic day's entertainment.
Fearless and innovative, the bands fear nothing here and today has reinforced this once more with most of the bands having the confidence to play standing up and move around the stage. In terms of the contest, there was lots of quality on show at the top end in the bid for honours and its going to be close with the judges having plenty to think about.
In picking a winner, Youth Brass 2000 have done enough overall for us today to take the 2011 title with Rochdale and defending champion, Elland Silver Youth in third. Poynton, Enderby and Macclesfield will be pushing for the other podium prizes.
4BR Prediction:
1. Youth Brass 2000
2. Rochdale Borough Youth
3. Elland Silver Youth
4. Poynton
Draw
Rochdale Borough Youth, (Eric Landon) (10)
A 'Birds and the Bees' programme that had Eric Landon's ingenious finger prints stamped allover it.
'Birdland' is an upbeat opener whilst the bass feature of the 'Ugly Duckling' was cleverly done. The horn soloist is a star in 'The Lark in the Clear Air' whilst there is more comical moments from the cornets in 'Blight of the Fumble Bee'. To close, 'Bye, Bye Blackbird' is again full of fun and well delivered.
Overall: Really great stuff from Rochdale — the best entertaining band of the day fot us and in the frame.
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) (9)
Youth Brass 2000 know how to win here and they produced a performance worthy of a champion — the best sounding band of the day so far for us!
The 'Around the World' tour open impressively with a tight sounding 'Capitol Square March' before Darrol Barry's 'Around the World in 80 Days' showcases some good tight ensemble playing.
James Fountain produces a barn-storming performance of 'Napoli' whilst the 'Deep Harmony' tribute to Major Peter Parkes is full of poise and excellent dynamics. Peter Graham's closing 'Cossack Wedding Dance' once again maintains the standard set beforehand.
Overall: Seriously impressive from the first note until the last — and they could have put themselves top of the leaderboard as well.
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw) (8)
It's a weather theme for Macclesfield and the end result is gloriously sunny, courtesy of a well thought out programme with the band on good form.
Macc revive memories of Wet Whit Friday 2009 and stand (just like Leyland at Brass in Concert last year) on stage to deliver a really good thumping 'The Thunderer'.
'Singing in the Rain' is just full of fun and the fun continues with a good bass soloist in 'The Sun Has Got Its Hat On' and there's a couple of excerpts from Peter Graham's 'Windows of the World' thrown in for good measure.
Overall: An impressive programme that was well thought out and well delivered.
Sellers International Youth (Simon Kerwin) (7)
The West Yorkshire outfit goes for the movies theme with everyone dressed up including Simon Kerwin. All the pieces were pre-recorded and introduced by Black Dyke's Gary Curtin with visuals for different pieces on the OHP screen.
Some fine playing on display with the band led superbly by Jamie Smith who really impressed in 'Danny Boy'.
Overall: Lots to admire here with the players able to focus on playing and not having to think about too much stage presence.
Bolton Youth (Martin Kay) (6)
Bolton goes for a 'tribute to the musicals' theme in what is the most straight-laced programme of the day so far. Sat in traditional formation, they open with music from 'Wicked', then 'Les Miserables' and finally the greatest hits from 'Grease'.
Overall: It was all played with a real sense of fun but not a performance that will be a serious challenger today.
Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome) (5)
Enderby goes all Hogwarts, Witchcraft,Harry Potter and Magical Mystery in a very well thought out programme where you just can't take your eyes off the stage for one second. Sat in an arched formation and wearing black gowns, there is plenty to enjoy and admire here from all concerned with some excellent solo and ensemble contributions all topped off with superb choreography.
Overall: Something different but really good stuff both musically and visually.
Poynton Youth (Andy Hirst) (4)
Poynton opts for a Americana theme for the second year in a row but its all performed and choreographed to a high standard. Standing throughout, they impress with 'Sempler Fidelis' before ten players excel in 'Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair' featuring a fine euphonium player. Fun and games are had with 'Pink Panther' and 'Soul Bosanova' before they round it off with 'American Trilogy'.
Overall: a familiar theme it may have been but some really good stuff on show here.
Wardle High School Youth (Lee Rigg) (3)
The Lancashire outfit becomes the first band of the day to sit down whilst playing. Lee Rigg inspires his troops into producing a well-delivered programme that focuses more on the musical element than the visual side. Having started with music from John Williams, the visuals were in evidence in 'Be a Clown' band's vocalist shone in 'When She Loved Me'. The march was solid and after being in classical mode, PLC's 'Solar Eclipse' saw the band finish well.
Overall: Wardle are in good form throughout
Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison) (2)
The defending champion presents their take on Saint-Saens 'Carnival of the Animals' in a very impressive style. Superbly choreographed and directed by Samantha Harrison, there is some fabulous playing to be heard with trombonist, Daniel Eddison in stunning form in 'The Swan'.
Overall: High class playing, brilliantly presented — they've set the barometer very high indeed.
Houghton Area Youth (Brian Lamb) (1)
A tribute to the great and the good of the musical and theatrical world is excellently presented with the band standing for its entire programme. From The Blues Brothers to Les Miserables, there was lots of fine playing on show with some excellent choreography.
Overall: Impressive marker
