ENGLISH NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 26th 2010 - Adjudicators Comments

Clear sounds to open. [A] plays well from all. Euph - so well played. Fine cornet. Wonderful simplicity. [E] [F] [G] excellent. (50) Trombone - SO tempting!!! [I] - [J] flows so well. [K] industrious of style - clinically clean - relentless of energy. [O] Trom - bravo! Cornet detail 177 --> spot on. Manic + Mayhem to perfection. [BB] [CC] [DD] handled so well. Fine bass trom sounds (296-7). [FF] joyful sounds to savour. [GG] why write? [HH] emotional playing & performance. (331) Eb bass just not completely at ease. (327) Sop doesn't blend here [JJ] Euphs a shade clicky in high reg. Such fine sounds to conclude.

A show of great emotion, simplicity, havoc + hope - blended like a good malt! Fine show - thank you,

K. Wadsworth

A compact opening - fine to [A] Pleasing - good sop! - and there is a tenderness in  keeping with the music. [B] Euph! - in control - has time to play - solo cornet  enhances [D] well shaped ensembles - and the cadenza bars are so controlled - bravo  sop at (G). Trom in command [H] shows good constraint in the solo lines. Solo cornet in fine form. There is much to commend in this playing [J] Builds well - so much conviction in the general ensemble [K] has drive - worth listening to - Exciting stuff - so well detailed [O] Trom top class - and well supported by all [Q] Stylish here - I can hear the links - fine clarity in this playing to [T] you connect all the rhythms  here - so neat and tidy. [Y] Powerful but nothing overdone [AA] Wow!!! [BB] Good contrasts here - all under control. Well detailed to [EE] where a big full sound is heard [FF] Cantabile lines indeed - so much to commend - a lovely build from (320) is noted [HH] so little to fault - a spot of intonation in the upper lines - nothing major [II] Tuba 'sings' the  solo well [JJ] A fine ensemble - with great use of the dynamics to [KK] - watch the tuning!!!! [LL] - to good effect (371) not quite together cornets, but you build to a
close of great conviction.

Much to commend in this fine performance - a couple of hiccups - but fine playing  indeed. Thank you very much,

D. Broadbent

A very impressive and spacious opening 'tranquillo'. Balanced ensemble sounds.  Dynamics contrasted well. Euphonium shows class and the 'operatic' dialogue with cornet impresses. The movement into [D] is so musical. Great flair and style from all soloists. Good sop in [G]. Trombone soloist captures the mood of the music with a great flow. Percussion impresses. Well restrained mf bass line [J] Bass style ✓.  So detailed. Rhythmically excellent in this manic section, so accurate trombone. Bass style (169) ✓. [S] Magical tapestry [U + 2] piano dynamic ✓.  Excitement builds and the intensity created is just what the composer intended I feel. So much to admire throughout this section. (298) ✓.  [FF] soloists are so relaxed and well matched. The lament is so well controlled with solo figures all so musical. The [HH] section contrasts so well and solo baritone makes the figure sing. Again, as in the opening, such great spacious feel for the music. Just a little loose (371).

Much to admire, thank you for a magnificent performance,

D. Horsfield