Saturday 8th March 2008

From Dark Horses to Top Dogs    -    Picture Special Click Here

First place at Swansea booked Blaenavon Town Band a place at the National Finals in Harrogate later in the year.

From a number 2 draw the band pulled off something that we haven't done since 2002. Despite having a few empty seats the band gave a performance of style and character according to adjudicator Alan Morrison.  A stable build up to the contest with all rehearsals well attended (something that we haven't had in recent years) proved the key.

All the soloists performed well especially Lucinda who once again proved what a good player she is.  Lyndon Price should also be commended for the hard work and effort he has put in over the past few weeks. His work on tempos and tuning really paid off.

The band now has to plan for the trip to Harrogate later in the year.

The full results for Third Section are as follows:

1. Blaenavon Town, L. Price, 2, 180
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), G. Ritter, 9, 179
3. Royal Oakeley, J. Jones, 1, 178
4. Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, G. Davies, 5, 176
5. Goodwick Brass, G. Ritter, 3, 175
6. Ynyshir Clarity DOS, G. Shepherd, 7, 174
7. Royal Buckley Town, D. Beckley, 4, 173
8. Ogmore Valley Silver, I. Barnett, 6, 171
9. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge, C. Williams, 8, 170

Adjudicators Remarks

Well controlled to begin with good definition from temp.  Effective troms but cornet/sop not well tuned in sustained notes.  B settles rhythmically but troms were a little uneven and not led convincingly.  Middle band is not balanced convincingly and tuning has some edgy moments.  I unisons untuneful but the effects are achieved.  Glock has (eh..?) errors and entries at K are not matched.  F low C's are uneven in strength and tinny in cornets.  Effective percussion M expressive cornet but accompts could be neater.  I miss some chord resolutions in bar 154.  O is not balanced in cornets with prominent parts.  Basses could be neater and more in tune.  P was atmospheric with confident soloists.  Controlled desc. and good sounds at R led well by soprano.  Semi lines not together.  The fff climax was not well balanced with perc. too heavy.  Some tuning problems in dim U is very effective with a strong rhythmic pulse.  V had excellent sounds and he tempo was well chosen leading well to the finale.  Some inner tuning problems in AA but this has energy and was dynamically active.  CC didn't find all the effects but the ending was exciting yet well controlled and sustained.

A well thought out performance that was atmospheric and dynamically wide ranging. Some concerns in tuning and balance were occasionally evident but the playing had commendable style and character.

Alan Morrison

After the contest the band retired to The Wig to watch the rugby.  The Welsh win against Ireland was just the icing on the cake to finish off a very satisfactory day.