Contest Comments

RESULTS:
Training Band 2nd contest piece & joint 1st hymn tune
Youth Band 3rd
I have copied exactly what was written (italics, bold etc.) and in RED have pointed out who he means and, at times what ( i think) he means. In GREEN are my thoughts on the performance. These are very good contest comments well done :-)



VECTIS TRAINING BAND
Hymn - Eventide
A very good opening with structured phrasing and well defined balance. The 2nd verse is better than the 1st. Well done. 16/20

Contest Piece - Northumbrian Suite by Sturat Johnson
I. Roman Wall
Good opening, a lot of panache and it conveys the "legion" well. C perhaps lighter percussion? Good troms at D. E is well controlled ( cornet & horns) Good close to the movement.
II.Keilder Forest
G needs to flow more horns. Bass is a little lumpy at H. Troms intonation before I. K is good (horns) and horns have read my mind!
III.Whitley Bay
The tempo is good, be careful the rhythm doesn't become 'compounded' ( He's talking to me here - he's asking for a true 3/4 feel not a dotted crotchet compounded rhythm this can happen as I stuck to the exact tempo markings) Good dynamic effect and range (soprano) Don't get too harsh troms - over blowing at times.
IV.Tyneside
Good opening - well done cornets at V ( rep/flug/2nd & 3rd cornets) Intonation horns/flugel at X. and Euph at Y. Good accompaniment throughout ( rep/flug 2nd & 3rd cornets, both baritones & troms when they join) Don't let the band over blow, this distracts the good sound you have been making. Grandioso not together bottom end. Allagando not together and there are now intonation problems which distract. ( the last 2 sentences are directed at me)


Overall a good performance by a band which is well directed and led ( me) This is a tough test for a young band (you) which unfortunately and understandably ' ran out of steam' a little ( all of us!)

A good performance, thank you and well done.
DEPORTMENT 17/20

VECTIS YOUTH BAND
Hymn - Maryton
The control is good and this aids the sound - good ensemble, dynamic contrast and attention to the beginning and ending of phrases. Well done 14/20
Contest Piece - Little Suite for Brass by Malcolm Arnold
I Prelude
Good start, all in the correct place. - trombones perhaps a little strong - think about the sound you are producing. The prelude sets the scene and this you have done.
II.Siciliano
This difficult opening needs to flow more ( horns & baritone) The quavers seems to break things up. Good control from the solo cornet ( tom seal) and the accompaniment is stylish ( horns & baritones) Good dynamic contrast which makes the music more interesting. Well directed finish ( ohh its me again) 'PERFECT' (Alex, Dan C, horns, Sarah J, Daniel s & Jessica. I have never had a perfect comment on an adjudication as a player or as a conductor so well done)
III.Rondo
Keep it light (troms!) Thank you cornets at A ( solo cornets) Great runs cornets and bottom end. C is lighter and better for it. Good sounds euph D ( Dan C) Cracking end to the movement - it doesn't run out of steam - polished and very well directed ( I think he was quite taken with me and my bottom swaying)

A performance of merit, with contrast and a challenge for both band and audience. Thank you for your excellent efforts this afternoon. Well done indeed.
DEPORTMENT 16/20

My thoughts:

I thought the training band was accurate, full bodied in sound and made a good attempt at dynamics. Our performance was solid but did have errors, such as rushing in the last movement and slight hesitation in the second but these were minor. I feel the 2nd placing was absolutely right listening to Test Vally. I feel the youth band played "little suite" the best I've ever heard it. The first and last movement's were outstanding. The middle movement ( by far the hardest) started ok if not a little hesitant but it grew in confidence. This was all put right by the solo's and the close which was judged to be "perfect" I don't think ( and neither did many of our band listening nor many others in the hall including the band that won!) that 3rd was the right placing I thought we should have come 2nd. We were not better than Test Vally but I thought our youth band was better than the 2nd placing.

We did what we set out to do. Play as well as we could while having a cracking day out. We also had two placings so result all round :-)