Brighouse march and hymn tune contest 2011 - summary and adjudicators comments

Sunday 3rd July 2011

The band had a productive but warm afternoon at the annual Brighouse march and hymn tune Contest, winning the deportment prize and coming 10th overall. The band set off down Bethel Street, led by Corps of Drums and performed a countermarch to an appreciative audience. At the halt the band was conducted by MD Leigh Baker and played his new arrangement of Cwm Rhondda and the contest march Mephistopheles.

Baker was happy with the day saying

"As ever the band were true professionals and a credit to the force both musically and in attitude. The counter march in Blaze Away was one of the highlights of the day and the crowd loved it! The hymn and march were both top drawer and I'm really proud of what we did. Loads of people commented on the sound and style of the band and taking a few championship and first section scalps was an added bonus too! Well done folks! The passing police sirens in the march spurred us on too"

Adjudicators' and their remarks are shown below

Cwm Rhonda - Stan Lippeatt

Not together first entry. V1: upper brass tuning problems. Good flow. V2: nice playing & good tempo. Bar 33 the link sounds a shade forced. V3: good solid band playing and a great feel for this fine hymn tune. Untidy 2nd to last bar. Thank you.

Mephistopheles - David Read

Confident start but not blemish free. I note the contrasts but there are tentative moments and quality not always maintained.
Trio groupings need careful measurement, you tend to hurry. You play with confidence but also just a little wild too. Many good sounds but also lapses as mentioned.