Drawn - 1 Placing – 1

1. “ Agincourt Song”

A Confident opening – fine unison work. Just the odd moment of uncertainty. A fine sound.

2. “He Ain’t Heavy – He’s My Brother” (Horn Solo)

A lovely relaxed style from soloist – just right from kit/percussion. This “sits” nicely – balance is lovely. The music moves in style - nice horn sound – fine presentation. Just the odd moment of concern in the tuttis. The ending was beautifully shaped.

3. “ River City Suite”

1st Movement. Technically assured opening. Dynamics are well observed. (5) just a shade loose. (8) all goes well. Fine ending.

2nd Movement. A good feel for the opening – (1) nice balance (2) maybe a little more soloistic quality from euph. This is a well shaped movement – the flow is just nice. (6) Lovely dynamic to end – bravo!!

3rd Movement. A secure opening – you capture the mood of the music. Broken rhythms are well structured. Nice flugel/cornet – shapely phrasing. Fine link to (7). Technically all the notes going in – (9) fine balance. Big ending. Well rehearsed – fine show.

4. “Crimond”

I like the opening presentation – and the playing. The balance and musical flow is beautifully portrayed. Dynamic level superb. All goes smoothly. The ending was dramatic. Another lovely performance!!

5. “The Waltonian”

A great tempo. Just the odd moment of uncertain ensemble. TRIO lovely dynamic. A nice item. Well played throughout.

6. “Kongolela”

I loved the choreography to open. The enthusiasm is there for all to see. WOW!!!

Great to see young people “having a ball”. The playing was great. What an ending.

A fine programme – beautifully played – directed in style – fine soloist.

The presentation of the band superb.

I enjoyed EVERY BAR

Congratulations – BRAVO!!

Thank you

 

Dennis Wilby 17 th Sept. 2006

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Drawn - 1 Placing – 1

 

Agincourt Song

Very precise playing all round and so well balanced. A few splits in very top register. A jolly good opener.

He Ain’t Heavy

The soloist has a very mature sound. Control and expression are exemplary and the discreet accompaniments from full band excellent. Lovely work from sop. In this very dry acoustic a fuller bass sound would be advantageous.

River City Suite

Movement 1. Vibrant sounds and strong playing all round. Strongly rhythmical, though there were some weaknesses in cornet tongued semiquavers.

Movement 2. A lovely reflective feel to this, with some marvellous work from flugel. A well controlled and restrained movement.

Movement 3. Some looseness in opening bars. Rhythmic niceties from (1) handled well. Good work from flugel again at (4). Solo cornet nice at (5) but could exploit written dynamics more. Percussion very good throughout the performance and nice work from xylo. in closing section.

Crimond

Beautiful sounds from quartet and full band is well balanced and expressive. In final verse trombones need to work at the phrasing, but this is a minor criticism of a fine performance of this wonderful arrangement.

The Waltonian

Technically very good, but a shade careful – lacking in the rip roaring effects called for in the big top. A great circus mood. You started to let your hair down at the end. Why not earlier?

Kongolela

Now you really do let your hair down. A great finale. A super programme – well done everyone.

Thank you.

I also enjoyed the very charming introductions.

Splendid programme.

 

Roy Newsome 17 th Sept. 2006