These comments were lost off the forum (as were many old posts) due to a mistake on my behalf. Here they are again:
Having completed in the second section on the previous day I decided to attend the performance of this year's first section test piece, listen to a number of performances and write adjudicator type comments on the them. I did not award points but I did place those performances that I heard into an order of merit.
I also listened to Hade Edge who I placed 2nd out of the 6 I heard.
Wakefield Met (Brian Dyson)
Rather slow introduction - balance of Bb bass a bit strong. The sop entry is very difficult, this is a bit insecure. The slow tempo remains - the conductor needs to look at the band not the music, but he has good left hand technique. As an ensemble the band playing sounds more secure. Perhaps it was a nervous opening? The rall is a bit too much too soon into the slower section - the trombones are not quite together. The trombones play well in the trio section - last note in the section not secure - the next section needs to be a bit lighter. It's a pity about the insecure solo cornet entries - but they sing and balance well. The top notes in the quicker section are insecure - this does test the band's higher register - could do with slightly less pecked sound here. The conductor is buried in the score and following not leading the band. There's a slight tuning problem in horns into next slower section. The sop needs to balance more in 8ves muted. Brahms quote figure a bit quick, missing bite as a result. Again a few splits in the sop. A very enjoyable performance of a technically challenging work that is very nearly pulled off.
I placed them 6th out of the 6 I heard.
Knottingly Silver - Kevin Belcher
A slow start with each note in the phrase them struck unevenly. At the rall it nearly stops. Nice sop - the band plays together as an ensemble very well. The conductor shadow beats with large gestures even in piano sections - his head is often in the score. Good ensemble playing at the accel. Is faster section tight & technical difficulties are well controlled. Basses wobble a bit into flugel section but record well. Baritones not quote together to start - followed by good sop with support from rep that could balance up a bit better. Reprise of theme - good warm sound - blends far better than opening. Better in next section - spirit of the music is well captured here - that's the idea! Band not very settled, and producing a good sound. Good trombones - there is energy in the build up section - staccato section slight blip, but not to worry. I am enjoying this performance. Horns watch intonation at lower range. Bigger into Brahms quote would have been appreciated. Conducting style now a little rigid. Again horns intonation in lower register, watch the stacatto notes aren't too short. Very good ending.
The best overall performance I heard - I placed them 1st out of 6 that I heard.
Kippax - Ian Colney
Sound a bit edgy in introduction especially in the cornets with some intonation problems. Pity about the sop entry, not quite together. Ensemble sounds more of an exercise than music. The conductor tends to give a down beat on each beat. The playing gets a bit wild in the louder section and is rushed. The bass sounds needs to keep going into the flugel bit - solo cornet needs to control his vibrato. The in the trombone trio the conductor is conducting the band not the score, what a refreshing change, I like his style now, he has settled down. Good light bass sounds on the running section - this section (the build up) is now well settled. Soprano few blips. Needs a bit more cresc. into the last solo section. Some intonation problems here at the Brahms quote. The semiquaver features are played well, the tam tam is a bit week otherwise good ending.
I placed them 5th out of the 6 I heard.
Barnsley Building Society - Chris Hirst
Good introduction - not quite together and Bb bass is rather loud. The sop is a bit unsettled on top B - some tuning problems with the cornets. Good ensemble playing - good warm sound in flugel. Conductor not using a baton - good use of left hand and often looking at band which is good technique. Bb bass again strident. The band often doesn't sound like an ensemble. Bass intonation problem into flugel feature. The flugel and cornets intonation is also a bit suspect. The euphonium needs to project better and watch his vibrato. Good trombone trio section. Baritone a bit strident, there is some fine sop playing here - a bit more settled. Indeed reprises of opening now sounds warmer and better as a result. The band is now getting to grips. The conductor is standing back and letting the band play - that is good. There is some fine ensemble playing, yes this now starts to work. Semi-quaver playing works well. Tam-tam needs to be killed at the end.
I placed them 3rd out of 6 that I heard.
Chapeltown Silver - Andrew Holland
Good sound at intro - slight intonation problem with a soprano blip on the first entry. Further intonation problems in cornets with some strident sounds in the trombones. Good flugel sound, but some intonation problem. Again good ensemble playing, then breaks down a little - not quite as an ensemble. The conductor tends to shadow conduct and has his head a bit in the score. Basses tuning suspect into flugel feature, but then some nice sounds come through. Baritone needs to watch the vibrato. Trombones need to play as a trio not three soloists. Your are now sounding a little insecure. Good sop and flugel. Reprieve of the opening has a good warm ensemble sound, but make sure it is kept together. Nice cornet playing, just a blip in the upper register. Band sounds fine in the build up section, but let the tension release. Solo cornets need to balance up. Baritones need to watch the intonation. Again fine ensemble in the reprise - fine to end.
I placed them 4th out of the 6 I heard.
-Nigel