Latest News
NATIONAL QUALIFYING CONTEST - Sunday 16th March 2008
Another year, another trip to Stevenage for the London & Southern Counties Regional Qualifying Contest. But this year was to be slightly different ! Although the night before no one was expecting to be so thrilled by the days proceedings! This is the contest where this year the top 3 bands are invited to play at the National Brass Band Finals in Harrogate during September.
Most of the band had an early morning Saturday, although some stayed at the nearby Holiday Inn Express to make sure they were bushy eyed for the 8.30am rehearsal. The band were drawn 12th out of 17 to play, and took to the stage at about 3pm. Fifteen minutes later we came off the stage feeling quite satisfied with our performance. Matthew thought it had been our best ever performance of the piece.
After a quick drink in the bar the band congregated in the hall for the results. We were in jubilant mood after it was announced that we had come 3rd. HARROGATE HERE WE COME ! After so much rehearsal and effort, that every player had put in over the last few months, it was a great pleasure to celebrate a marvellous achievement. A few more drinks (including a champagne laden trophy) was then consumed, with some members of the band staying for a second night in Stevenage (planned & unplanned !). The adjudicator's remarks were as follows.
The Dark Side of the Moon - Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Good start but intonation issues in melodic line. (A) Tempo is always steady & heading into (B). (B) at times the accomp lose the light rhythmic feel, troms generally do well apart from the occasional slip with intonation. (E) Good sounds evident, the music has rhythm. (H) Well done sop. (I) Not always rhythmically secure.
(J) Some untuneful playing. (K) This is not secure. The music needs to be peaceful in style / very legato. (N) Sololist plays welland band accompany well with a sense of balance. (O) Bass does not always play in time or together. Generally the cornet pattern is well handled. (P) Sololists do well but not without slips , lovely cres into (R). (R) Great sounds heard, so well balanced and well shaped . (S) Good contrast in dynamic. Effective percussion into 'fff'.
(T) Tentative at times. Excellent cornet dynamic. Not secure tempo rise into (V). (W) Cornets are forcing the sound but the music moves along well. (Z) Could be more broad, cornets / trom / bass. (BB) Not always rhythmically secure. (CC) Some harsh sounds evident. Good final sound.
A good performance with many fine points but spoiled by points noted above. Letter (R) was really good. Some over blowing heard today. Sololists do well as do percussion.
Full Results
1. Littleport Brass, N. Bramley, 14, 183 (Q)
2. Hangleton, M. Pollard, 4, 182 (Q)
3. Brighton & Hove City Brass, M. Hackett, 12, 181 (Q)
4. Stantonbury Brass, A. Jenkin, 7, 180
5. St. Sebastian Wokingham, A. Porter, 13, 179
6. Uckfield Concert Brass, S. McIntyre, 5, 178
7. Waterbeach Brass, J. Utting, 1, 177
8. Woodbridge Excelsior, A. Duguid, 2, 176
9. Hitchin Town, M. Hurrell, 11, 175
10. Fulham, S. Jones, 16, 174
11. Croydon Brass, P. Martin, 3, 173
12. Hungerford Town, T. Crouter, 8, 172
13. Chalgrove, M. Pegram, 10, 171
14. BAE Systems, K. Woodger, 6, 170
15. L.G.B. Brass, I. Stewart, 9, 169
16. Great Yarmouth Brass, S. Philpot, 15, 168
17. E.P.B., I. Mitchell, 17, 167
This result means that we will be playing at the National Finals in Harrogate at the end of September. Our congratulations also extend to Hangleton band who have also qualified in 2nd place. This means that (as far as I can remember !) for the first time there will be 2 bands from Brighton at the national finals!
We are now lying 1st in the provisional grading tables for next year's contest, with Hangleton and Uckfield joint 2nd. Therefore with a good result (or a first at the finals) we could be back up in the 2nd section again. We must thank Jon Ireland for helping us out on percussion (especially happy as he and Dave got a mention in the adjuducator's comments !), Graeme Cornish on Soprano Cornet, and to Helen Cleall for signing up with us & playing 3rd Cornet on the day.