British Open – Saturday 10th September
The World Rejoicing (EDWARD GREGSON)
Here are the official results:
1. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
2. Foden's (Russell Gray)
3. Aldbourne (Ivan Meylmans)
4. Cory (Philip Harper)
5. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
6. Grimethorpe Colliery (Michael Bach)
7. the cooperation Band (Glenn Van Looy)
8. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas J. Childs)
9. Northop Silver (Gareth Brindle)
10. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
11. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
12. Flowers (Paul Holland)
13. NASUWT Riverside (Dr Ray Farr)
14. Paris Brass Band (Laurent Douvre)
15. WFEL Fairey (Arsene Duc)
16. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Allan Withington)
17. Desford Colliery (LMTF) (Michael Fowles)
18. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
That is the last performance and what a great contest this has been, across the board every band has played their part in a memorable day.
For me the top 6 will come from the following
Brighouse
Cory
Fodens
Fairey
Flowers
Desford
With Brighouse taking it by a whisker, the 3 in the box will not agree I am sure.
What a great day.
Results to follow at about 7:30pm I would expect.
Band Number 18 – Northop Silver
Lovely opening, well controlled and together. Great sound, slight loss of clarity in the louder sections, but comes across well.
Some real edge of the seat playing at times, but they keep it all under control and really do bring the most out of the piece.
This has been another well measured performance and a great ending.
Band Number 17 – Hammonds
A lovely performance to sit back and listen to, good contrasts and well balanced, lacking in precision in places but some great playing which settled and improved as we got further into the piece. Solo Horn has a beautiful sound.
Band Number 16 – Rothwell Temperance
Another impressive performance, not at the same level as we have heard from the previous few bands, but very strong, well balanced, all players working well together. A few slips, but a well presented performance.
Band Number 15 – Cory
Quieter start, but what precision and that precision is kept as the piece moves on, the dynamics are controlled and big, big, sounds… but all balanced, everything can be heard.
Philip Harper controls from the front leaving no doubt how he wants everything played from his expressions alone.
Another outstanding performance, this really is going to be a difficult decision for the 3 in the box.
Band Number 14 – Fodens
I feel another strong performance coming, this has got off to a strong start and is showing all the presence and delights we have been getting from the last few bands, the adjudicators are going to certainly earn their money picking the bones out of these performances.
This is a slightly different approach from Foden’s and is a delight to listen to, so neat and tidy, great dynamics, great feeling of movement.
What a contest…
Band Number 13 – Brighouse and Rastrick
Strong start, precision is the order of the day, everything so neat and tidy. Such dynamic range and controlled, on the edge, but controlled.
This is growing in strength and purpose and we are really seeing (hearing) some great performances from the bands in the 2nd half of the draw.
This has it all, great strength and subtlety, great contrast, great dexterity and the overall sound of the piece is just outstanding.
We are being treated to some quite outstanding performances today.
Band Number 12 – Flowers
A strong start and a feeling of control as they move through the gears in both volume and tempo, the big sounds are on the edge but controlled. The band move well together, good team work.
Great attention to detail in this performance, each section of the band is working well and the overall sound is very good.
This is a trouble free performance and well managed from the front, some fireworks to excite but all of it under control and well played across all the seats.
The ending remains controlled and together, this has been a great performance from Flowers, such a lot to admire. Well done
Band Number 11 – NASUWT Riverside
A slower tempo to get us started, picks up and the journey begins, good control and pushing the volume to the edge.
We get a nice balance and flow with Dr Ray Farr making no bones about how he wants the band to play. Good style and team-work comes across well, this is going well and great contrast that just lifts the performance.
We start to get some slips as we get further into the piece which is a shame. For me this was a performance of 2 halves, the first half was controlled and felt good, as we moved into the 2nd half of the piece errors crept in and the band felt like they had lost their way. A strong finish.
Band Number 10 – Leyland
An assured start and the band sound in control, some good dynamics, not overdone and come across well. That control in maintained, the band are taking no risks, everything is working well and the score is being observed.
As I said with one of the previous bands, no fireworks, just a well paced performance. There is not much wrong with this performance, they are doing exactly what it says on the tin and doing it well.
Good ending to a good performance.
Comfort Break of 20 mins
At the half-way stage for me it's Desford, Fairey and Tredegar in the mix, but I am aware my position in the hall is not the best.
Band Number 9 – Grimethorpe
Strong and steady to open, controlled and frantic all at the same time, moments where it feels a little on the edge, but that makes it an exciting performance to listen to.
Loving the bog sound and getting good balance, the volume drops and we still maintain a full sound. Start to lose some of the control and get a few untidy moments, the opening was good but as the piece has progressed it has lost some of its shine.
A great performance and the ending was full of energy, a shame that some of the detail was lost in some sections of the piece.
Band Number 8 – Tredegar
Well measured, control again is the order of the day, but mixed with a few moments of fireworks as well. Balance is good, dynamics are big and well managed.
We get a few slips which is a shame, there is a lot to admire about this performance, the slower sections have a lovely flow and some beautiful sounds.
No doubt the band are in control and the big finish is testament to that, there was a lot to admire about the performance but for me it lacked something. The audience really enjoyed it and I think the adjudicators will be more than happy.
Certainly a top 3 performance from the bands that have played so far, but there are still some great bands left to go.
Band Number 7 – Aldbourne
A well-considered opening, moving together and well balanced.
Well controlled quieter dynamic and balance is maintained. Some moments of insecurity creep in, we then hear the band in full flight and the confidence comes flooding back.
Control is the word that comes to mind, everything is under control and being well executed, no fireworks, a strong and steady performance.
Very much a sit back and enjoy performance. Not without it’s issues, but a considered performance and some really great moments.
Band Number 6 – Desford Colliery
Good detail to open and has a good feel about it, moments of lost clarity, but a well-considered opening, the louder sections are a bit much for me, I struggle to hear the full sound.
As the volume drops the sound of the band comes across delightfully well.
The band have settled in and are now very tight and working well as a team, some slips creep in which is a shame, the flow of the band is kept and good work around the stands brings the best out the music.
We get a much more controlled loud dynamic later in the piece and this works well, the team-work continues through to the end of the piece, the control and well-balanced big sounds are excellent.
Band Number 5 – The Cooperation Band
A mixed start, good opening few bars and then a few untidy bars. The band are now getting into their stride with some good sounds and good balance.
Everything feeling relaxed and controlled, the big sounds sometimes go a bit too far and clarity is lost, but when the band back off the volume it sounds good.
We are getting a mix of clean and well-balanced sounds that are mixed with untidy moments and lost clarity.
The band sound more comfortable in the quiet and flowing sections and have a lovely balance and fluidity about their playing.
Some of the balance issues I am getting are because I am sat above the 3rd cornets, but the balance has started to waiver and I am losing the middle of the band in places.
The ending is powerful and better control, a good ending.
Band Number 4 – Paris Brass Band
An unsteady start, but soon picks up and the band settle. A lot of Tablets on stage, including the conductor, some with the backup of the music as well.
The louder sections are a little too loud and some clarity is lost but the quiet sections are well balanced and come across well in the main.
Well controlled and sounding good for most of the piece. Lovely sound from the Solo Horn and Solo Cornet was a delight to hear.
The performance is gaining confidence as we go, some delightful moments and well-done Soprano.
A mixed performance, some great moments but also some moments of insecurity.
Band Number 3 – WFEL Fairey
Another solid opening, no time to settle in, they are on the mark from the 1st note. There is a control across all parts, some slips creep in which is a shame, but the opening has been well played.
There is a drive and determination about the playing, you do feel there is a journey here and you are being taken along with the band, it is a well thought out performance, I am enjoying this.
Some lovely detail coming through in the quieter sections and the balance is great, full sounds are controlled and big, no edge and nothing brash here. The band are working well together and really coming up with a good performance.
This has been great to listen to, the ending is as good as the rest of the piece and Fairey’s have pulled a strong performance out of the bag here, I have really enjoyed this.
Band Number 2 – Black Dyke Mills Band
A well-controlled and wonderfully balanced opening, the big sounds are full and come across well.
The band are playing well together, the movement between each section of the band are seamless and really show off the superb writing of Edward Gregson.
There is a poise and precision that makes this a joy to listen to, not everything is 100% clean but this does not detract from a well thought out and well-presented performance.
I get moments where balance is lost, this may be where I am sat of course and the adjudicators may get a better balance from the box.
As the piece progresses the sounds get bigger and better, keeping the balance and hearing all the parts in such a full sound is a challenge, but a challenge well met.
A great end to the piece and a well-received performance.
Band Number 1 – Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
A solid opening and feels very controlled, some underneath parts are lost for a few bars, but in the main the balance is good. The band make the most of the louder sections of the piece and nothing is left in the locker, some moments where it sounds a little brash, the drop to the quieter dynamic is well managed and you hear all the detail which is lovely.
What a lovely sound the Flugel player has, such a full and lush sound. The band seemed to have settled as we move further into the piece. We now hear the Trombone, Solo Horn and Eb Bass and the music passes between them well.
Some lose moments where the band are not quite together, this comes back and we again hear a full and well-balanced sound.
This is a good performance but has moments where balance is lost and the band are not together, when the balance is met you get such a lovely sound.
Good ending to a good performance.
Starting at 10:30am
The Adjudicators and Draw have been announced.
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Stephen Roberts, Martyn Brabbins
1. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Allan Withington)
2. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas Childs)
3. WFEL Fairey (Arsene Duc)
4. Paris Brass Band (Laurent Douvre)
5. the cooperation band (Glenn Van Looy)
6. Desford Colliery (Michael Fowles)
7. Aldbourne (Ivan Meylemans)
8. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
9. Grimethorpe Colliery (Michael Bach)
10. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
11. NASUWT Riverside (Dr Ray Farr)
12. Flowers (Paul Holland)
13. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
14. Foden's (Russell Gray)
15. Cory (Philip Harper)
16. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
17. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
18. Northop Silver (Gareth Brindle)
Aldbourne
Black Dyke
Brighouse and Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Cooperation Band
Cory
Desford Colliery
Fairey
Flowers
Fodens
Grimethorpe Colliery
Hammonds Band
Leyland
NASUWT Riverside
Northop Silver
Paris Brass Band
Rothwell Temperance
Tredegar
