Here are the 'in action' photos taken at Symphony Hall

Please note these are the property of The Bandsman, if you wish to use any of the photos please ensure you include 'Courtesy of The British Bandsman'

Band Number 15 – Foden's

Great opening, Flugel sounding great and came across well. Good movement and drive, we get some great contrasts and all of it under control and balanced. The big sounds come across well, remain balanced and big, the more frantic it gets the better it is sounding, big sounds continue and then drop to whisper quiet, the balance is kept and the sound it lovely. We get a couple of slips, but the flow continues. Detail is great, the rise and fall of the volume works well. Big sound from the Basses, lovely to hear. The solo sections work well, soloists were spot on. We move through with a swagger and this works well, this is a strong engine, volume is about to go up, there it is… big big sound and full of great sounds. For me that is the performance of the day (so far)

Band Number 16 – Leyland

Confident opening and really well measured, dynamics are well controlled, each part is coming across well. Great intensity, this is really going well. We get a couple of untidy sections, but the flow continues and the band continue to push on. We are getting great dynamics, great detail, some wonderful playing at the lower dynamic that builds in volume and excitement. We are getting some sections with slips, but at the same time we are getting passages that work well and sound great, this may not end up in the top 6, but it was a great performance. 

Band Number 13 – Grimethorpe

Lovely opening, the Flugel produces a lovely sound with some great style. Not gone too big too early, holding back for later I would think. Good detail and great drive, balance is allowing parts to come through and now we get the full volume, its big but controlled so doesn’t feel forced. Into the quieter and there is a very lyrical sound from the soloists and the band that comes across so well, some real passion coming through. Great drive and played with such purpose, really enjoyed listening to this.

Band Number 14 – Tredegar

Good opening, picks up well and contrasts come across well. Tidy, well balanced, nice flow, this is good start and building in intensity. The big volume really is big, full sound but lose some detail from where I am sat. Whisper quiet is lovely, the dynamic changes and this comes across well, we are not without slips, but the flow is lovely. We get some lovely solo sections, sitting nicely on a well controlled band sound, this section is coming across well. Intensity picks up and volume comes with it, big sounds and a great balance, this got bigger again to close and what an ending. 

Band Number 10 – Hepworth

Good opening and move into the louder dynamic well, there is control on the dynamic which is good, we lose clarity in some areas, but get a great sound when the band lift the volume. As with bands before we are getting a mix of strong phrases and passages but also getting some insecure moments that stem the flow which is a real shame. The band have a lovely full sound and don’t hold back which is great to hear.

As with all the bands its 10 out of 10 for putting in a huge amount of work to get this piece to contest standard. Hepworth had some insecure moments mixed in with some outstanding sections of the piece which sounded amazing.

Band Number 11 – Aldbourne

Lovely sound from the Flugel, really took her time and allowed the instrument to sound, felt very secure. The band move well and really make the most of the louder dynamic, you get the feeling of movement throughout, no flow is lost even in the tricky sections which drive on, not always precise, but the drive stays. The performance is not without it’s risks, but the band are not pushing it too much yet, keeping very much in control. Full on to finish, with control and a great sound.

Band Number 12 – Faireys

A lovely start and great movement, driving on and great dynamics, we are getting a lovely flow, all well controlled and balanced, good precision and style, moves well to a louder dynamic and keeps the flow and intensity. This is growing into a great performance, with really good detail coming through. No holding back now and we get a big finish, full of drive and precision, sounded good.

Band Number 7 – Northop Silver

Lovely opening, really well handled and well played. Bags of excitement as the parts build, mixed with some moments of insecurity that stop the flow, nice big sound, bit edgy from my seat, but settles well and sounds impressive. We get some lovely ‘sit back and listen’ moments, the solo sections sound great and the band are really pushing to get the most from the piece and a lot of the work has really paid off.

Band Number 8 – Desford Colliery

Scene set well to start and the Flugel solo comes across well. Good detail coming through, great volume with control, energy pouring out of this performance. We get a few untidy bars as the band progress but the flow and energy returns and we move well into the whisper quiet section.

Some lovely moments as we work through the solo sections, not without some slips, but sound great and the band sit well under the soloists.

The band have a lovely sound and the slower and softer sections come across well, this is really mixed performance, some moments that struggle that are surrounded by some great playing and some amazing sounds, no whistle/squeak in this years performance.

Band Number 9 – Cory Band

Great mystery in the opening and the percussion team have a great looking gadget on stage, very precise, good energy, the team work is bringing the best out of the piece, the louder dynamic is huge, but not edgy so works well.  A level of intensity we have not heard until now, the precision is proving to really help the piece flow and with the balance we get some sounds in this performance that we have not heard before in such detail.

Precision is the key to this performance, precision leaves space so the sounds can be clearly heard and every sound is balanced and true. The solo sections just flow and seem almost effortless.

A different feel to the ending, it really has a great feel to it, everything sits nicely and comes across, this has been a really exciting listen, full of great sounds and amazing clarity.

Goosebumps and welling up, usually a good indicator of a good performance.

Band Number 5 – Black Dyke

Lovely opening, great movement as the tempo and excitement rise, a lovely full sound at the louder dynamic, but still something in reserve for later I feel, not both barrels quite yet. Good flow and movement between sections and control is key, nothing feels out of place, volume goes up but balance and style remain intact, some great style in this performance and very engaging. Whisper quiet is delightful.

Black Dyke have pulled out all the stops on this one, every soloist is a delight and the band strength is very controlled and great to hear. The flow and balance is making this a great listen, the technical side of the piece is together, controlled and balanced. The fireworks are still unlit, I wonder if they will come later in the piece, I suspect they will.

And we have ignition and what a great firework display, we get a delightful finish.

Band Number 6 – Rothwell Temperance

Great opening from the Flugel, we have control for most of the time, some untidy bars but in the main ok, we get a nice flow and some big dynamics. Loving the whisper quiet sections, we get some great sounds across the band. The solo sections come across well. Some lovely playing with great contrasts but mixed in a few untidy bars that stem the flow and it takes a while to get that flow back.

It felt like it was hard work in places, when the band hit their comfort zone they were brilliant, the bars that struggled just took the edge off the performance, but as I said earlier, hats off to all the bands for all the work on such a challenging piece.

Band Number 3 - The Cooperation Band

Great control on the opening, good work from Flugel and percussion and the lift in dynamic comes with a great feeling of drive and excitement. This is a solid performance with space for everything, the louder dynamic is controlled and comes across really well. Great detail coming through and although it feels frantic, it’s has a feeling of control with it. I am really impressed with the style and feeling of control within this performance, every section is playing their part in what is a very well-constructed performance. I have enjoyed this one, a lot.

Band Number 4 – Valaisia Brass Band

A great opening, scene well and truly set. We have control and contrast, we have balance and excitement. We get both barrels, too much? maybe from where I am sat, it feels a bit harsh.

Balance and control as the dynamic drops and we get a lovely full sound across the band, as the dynamic drops further the sound is delightful, full, controlled and like liquid gold.

It feels like the band have settled into this and we get some great moments at either end of the dynamics and with it some outstanding solo sections, its all about the control of the fast moving and frantic passages of the piece that define the technical side of the performances, the flow, the contrast and the control are what is making the piece lovely to listen to. Valaisia have got the style and flow, the control is there in the most part. Another mention for the soloists who are really making this a great performance. 

Band Number 1 - Hammonds

Beautifully haunting opening, great dynamic control and range, movement is good and a lovely flow, a couple of sticky moments where the sounds collide, full on volume is controlled and remains balanced with a great drop to the lower dynamic. No holding back on this performance. The full percussion set is out for this piece. That beautiful sound from the wonderful Kirsty Abbotts just melts your heart, not to be outdone by Cath Owen on Flugel who gives us such a full sound and the flow is lovely. Mike Kilroy on Euph fills the hall with the Euph solo, a real acrobatic section of the piece that goes to either end of the Euphonium spectrum and beyond.

There is a huge amount in this piece for the bands to tackle, not everything will work on the day, but you can imagine the hours that have gone into getting this piece to contest day standard, hats off to all the bands for their efforts.

In the majority the performance from Hammonds was controlled, exciting, manic, joyful, heart melting… what more could you want. Looking forward to 17 more variations of this great piece.



Band Number 2 – Brighouse

The opening feels a little uneasy, a great dynamic, but the flow drops off in places (from where I am sat). Good contrasts and great work from the percussion team. With volume pushed to 10 (and beyond) the band remain balanced, there is an edge to the sound which is controlled. The balance and flow at the quieter dynamic is a delight, a perfect blend. A performance from the reigning champions that has everything, each soloist on top form and giving us some delightful moments to remember. This is not perfect, but I don’t think we will get a perfect performance of a piece that has such high demands across the whole band. Such a complex piece that has so much detail, a big performance from Brighouse today and sure to be one that sticks in the memory of today’s adjudicators.

In the last 10 years of competition (no contest in 2020 or 2021) the winning bands were

2011 - Cory - Red Priest
2012 - Foden's - Electra
2013 - Tredegar - Arabian Nights
2014 - Black Dyke - Vita Aeterna Variations
2015 - Grimethorpe - Reflections on Swan Lake
2016 - Cory - The Triumph of Time
2017 - Valaisia - Fraternity
2018 - Cory - A Brussels Requiem
2019 - Cory - Dynasty
2022 - Brighouse - The World Rejoicing

On Saturday we have 18 versions of the wonderful 'Sand and Stars' - Thierry Deleruyelle

Who will win, well that is down to the adjudicators, but what we can be sure of is that the winning band will be deserving, such a wonderfully talented line-up of bands, we are in for a great day.