Brass Band League NI
Saturday 4th April 2009
The Alley Theatre, Strabane
Adjudicator Alan Fernie
Championship Section
Band drawn 2 - English Heritage
1st Old Boys
1 or 2 issues to open, but we settle and the playing has quality. Just slight tuning worries from time to time - around 60. I'd also like a slightly more varied dynamic range. We’re all happier in 'big' music - around 110 is very good - quicker moments not so. 130 very effective though, as is 150 - bravo!
Semi runs are clean and clear - can the fff be a bit more of a climax!? Duet is excellent - well played. Largo pp? Try to blend sounds though - this music demands it. An early glock. 220 and a wrong note? Uncomfortable horn chords 220 -230. Vivo is well started. Hero stuff from cornet and bass has fun - euph too. I like the sounds at 283 - monster bass trombone and trombone 1 plays "that bloody solo" so well! - well done! This is presented most musically - all in the right place - until just before 360 - let it happen naturally - and again, blend is an issue in Lento. Together at 401! Perhaps 410 was a bit slow, for me, but this is a fine band.
Very well directed too, in as much as you let your players play! Just some sound issues in quieter passages! Much to enjoy,
Thank you
Musical point 93