7th March 2010 - Yorkshire Area (Championship)
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, C. Brian Buckley
Test Piece: English Heritage, George Lloyd
Venue: St. George’s Hall, Bradford
Our Yorkshire Area test piece this year was English Heritage by George Lloyd. Helpfully, our conductor David Roberts took part in a recording of this piece with the Black Dyke Band many years ago, in the presence of the composer, so he had some idea of what the composer’s intentions were.
Our preparations for the contest were marred by a selection of problems. We had more trouble with the weather, and various ailments occurring in key band members including lip problems where the person in question would sit through the rehearsal without playing a note.
Given that we had pre-qualified for the Albert Hall after coming in the top four last year, there was very little pressure on us at the contest, but we were still determined to do well and we prepared just as we would any other year. The team was bolstered by Geoff Brothwell on the front row of cornets and the return of Tim Hammond, also on the front row.
Come contest day the band were playing really well; we thought it was going better than last year. We were quietly confident of defending our title in style. The band were very relaxed about the whole day, and there was much hilarity in the changing room.
Our performance on stage was very good. Everything came out just the way we’d planned for it to, and we felt that the band’s sound shone through with the quiet section in particular being very musical. The audience reaction at the end was amazing, with cheers from all around the hall, and not just from our supporters. James McCabe on principal cornet got the biggest cheer of all, after he nailed the high note in his part with ease – unlike some of his fellow principals in other bands.
The contest started a little late, and there were slightly more bands than last year with three being promoted from the first section and only two bands demoted. This all added up to a very late night, and we were still listening to the speeches and results at gone 11:00pm.
When the results were announced and we came out third, the band were actually a little disappointed! However, it was a fantastic achievement, and it did mean that we had beaten both Black Dyke and Grimethorpe and we had played well enough to be challenging for the title again.
The full results of the contest were:
1. Brighouse and Rastrick (David King), draw 5
2. Carlton Main Frickley (Philip McCann), 11
3. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 9
4. Black Dyke (Nicholas Childs), 3
5. Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington), 6
6. Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams), 4
7. Hepworth (Cookson Homes) (Ian Porthouse), 10
8. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts), 7
9. Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law), 1
10. Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery (John Berryman), 2
11. Stannington (Derek Renshaw), 13
12. Drighlington (Jim Davies), 8
13. Old Silkstone (Chris Hirst), 12
Many people in the hall had the top four in a different order, with us or Black Dyke to win followed by Brighouse and Carlton Main, but the men who counted in the box had things differently. The adjudicators did, however, say that the top five bands were very close, and that the prize could have gone to any of them. We send our congratulations to Brighouse and Carlton Main who will join us and Black Dyke at the Albert Hall in October to battle it out for the National title.
C Brian Buckley’s remarks were:
Almost a convincing opening – effective attention to dynamic detail. 26 music flows easily. Some sounds forced before 50. Secure control at Lento – well played solo phrases – Various triplet interjections impress. Balance quite good at 91. Basses not always in tune after 100. Baritone phrases secure. 130 ensemble lacks line clarity at different dynamic levels. Secure from 5/4 bass through 150. Missed triplet link to 165. 174 some stridency evident in cors/tromb at this point – effective link to Cadenzas – well spaced mostly with secure balance. Largo – this is well controlled dynamically but rather static in flow. Well played solo horn (Ab) – quavers still rather stiff in concept 220 So much better now with the glock to add colour. This has much to commend. Vivo – duo entries have menace then troms lose impact and clarity. Solo cornet effective. Tuba a shade stiff, but Tuba/Euph duo quite successful. Tempo I – music moves with space in troms (why break the phrase?) otherwise flowing easily. This has real direction with much to commend. Meno mosso – some bass tromb adds so much colour to this section. Music is allowed to relax to 360. Solo cornet not always in tune. Secure trom links. Music has tension in the build to 390 and the climax at fff well controlled to the final chord.
A performance of much merit – music flowed easily and the mood changes were well presented.
Derek Broadbent said:
A committed opening – I do hear the general detail. 26 good lower lines – and upper ones – Approach to 40 a bit hard in the lower lines. 47 Don’t overclook it please. 57 flows well. 61 not quite comfortable or balanced. Lento – opens nicely – with confident soloist. Controlled playing here. Tempo I confident solo cornet. Well supported by all. Some powerful moments are heard. 91 sonorous with good dynamics and detail. 146 lacks a bit of clarity but not conviction. Effective moments to 121 and onwards all is secure. 130-140 has good constrasts – Bold bariton is heard – an untidy ensemble moment also. 140 A super ppp here and it all links nicely to 165. Powerful again – exciting stuff. Dim after 200 controlled rit to moderator cor/flug duo cadenza. Lovely shapes – a controlled duet to largo – lovely controlled playing – perhaps a bit static – but lovely dynamics and blances are heard. 216 tasteful lower lines 220. Glock just right – is pleasing to the ear – just a blip (horn) spoils rit – lovely controlled playing and you close in fine style. Vivo bold troms and cornets are in good taste. 241 trom not quote as one, Solo cornet is fine – ensembles support well. Horn builds well to Tempo 1. Bass not quite smooth enough for my taste. 274 links always work in the euph and bass. 283 bold playing to 300. Trom fine. Good upper detail is heard – the music drives on – all in good taste to meno mosso – a good full sound, nothing overdone here. 350 – well contrasted, nicely linked to lento. A fine attempt at ppp just a loose moment was heard. Vivo builds well – good trom detail – full of drama to 400. Don’t pull this back though. Close has great impact.
A performance of merit with much to commend in many places – not spotless but worth the listen though. Thank you very much indeed.
Our thanks go to:
- Geoff Brothwell for helping out on the front row.
- Sian Carradus for covering the flugel chair with style.
- Tim Hammond for returning back to us.
Our next challenge is the English Nationals in June, where we’ll be playing Eden, a very difficult piece.
Tim Sawyer
Percussion
14th March 2010
Photos
 Area 1 |
 Area 2 |
 Area 3 |
 Area 4 |
