Competition Information

Adjudicators Remarks

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2008

84th Annual Bugle Contest (Hymn) 21^st June  2008 
84th Annual Bugle Contest 21^st June  2008 
Truro Open Entertainment Contest 5^th April  2008 
West of England Regional Championship Torquay 9^th March  2008 
Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band National Festival 19^th January  2008 

2007

61st Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association at Torquay 3^rd November  2007
Exmouth Brass Band Festival 1^st September  2007
83rd Annual Contest @ Bugle (Test Piece) 16^th June  2007
83rd Annual Contest @ Bugle (March) 16^th June  2007
Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival (Skegness) 20^th January  2007

2006

Exmouth Entertainment Competition 9^th September  2006 
Truro Open Entertainment Contest 22^nd April  2006 

2005

50th Annual Band Contest @ Truro 9^th April  2005 

2004

58th Annaul Championships at Torquay 6^th November  2004 

2002

Nation Brass Band Championships Of Great Britain @ Torquay Riviera Centre 21^st September  2002 

84th Annual Bugle Contest (Hymn)

Date	21st June 2008		Draw No	3
Event	84th Annual Bugle Contest (Hymn)		Bands In Section	4
Adjudicator(s)	Stan Lippeatt		Marks	Unknown
Section	2nd		Result	Unknown
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		Crimond arr. by 'Goff Richards'
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Adjudicators Remarks

This is not the arrangement I have been asked to adjudicate, it should be by Peter Graham.

Your playing of your version of Crimond was effective, gen well in tune, just the odd blip (euph). Good fanfare work with fine perc and lots of drama.

Thank you

Stan Lippeatt

84th Annual Bugle Contest

Date	21st June 2008		Draw No	3
Event	84th Annual Bugle Contest		Bands In Section	4
Adjudicator(s)	Stan Lippeatt		Marks	184pts
Section	2nd		Result	3rd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		Three Saints arr. by 'Goff Richards'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Tuning problems in cornets to start, mp could be softer bar 9.
Cadenza well done cornet, euph & bass could have been more confident.
29 Nice playing with good drama.
38 Had a few tuning problems
48/50 Euph/Cornet could have been a lot more soloistic
66 A lot smoother for me please with softer articulation.
82 Again a lot smoother and broader playing is required
91-> Had quite a fair amounts of untidy and un-tuneful playing.
121 Eb Bass is light.
139 Good effect
144 Smoother and softer in dynamic and style
169 -> Good playing.
180 very untidy
192 Nice playing
203 Untidy semis on euphonium
209 Nice cornet work
217 Again quite a few untidy moments
237 more dynamics required.
239 Some of your best playing thus far.
252 Fine sounds, try not to over do in 257
272 Euph light in balance,
279 Grandioso Good and good build to a fine ending.

A performance with a few problems and also some good points

Thank you

Stan Lippeatt

Truro Open Entertainment Contest

Date	5th April 2008		Draw No	3
Event	Truro Open Entertainment Contest		Bands In Section	4
Adjudicator(s)	Philip Harper		Marks	188pts
Section	Entertainment		Result	2nd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	Best Overall Solo Cornet of the Day 'Sharon Hollywood'
Piece(s) Played		Toccata in D Minor arr. by 'Jan Van Kraeydonck' Cornet Solo - Don't Doubt Him Now arr. by 'Craig Woodland' The Mill in the Dale by 'S Cope' The Lord is Gracious arr. by 'Olaf Ritman' An American Trilogy arr. 'Goff Richards' Can Can arr. by 'Goff Richards'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Toccata in D Minor

Dramatic and effective opening and then this piece has real ‘grabbing’ power! Some great dynamics throughout (high and low!) and really good kit playing! Good start.

Don’t Doubt Him

Lovely cornet sound with a very musical sense of phrasing – my gripe would be that the band needs to play quieter generally so that the sound projects through. However, well done Sharon – a class act!

Mill in the Dale

Good item – gently fun! (And good trick with the bread). I did however notice a few glitches in the accompaniment as we went through. All ended happily!

The Lord is Gracious

Some lovely sonorities to begin and just kept under control at [C] too. Some lovely cornet playing here too – well done!

An American Trilogy

Your balance and intonation continues to be impressive though this – just loses it right at the end at ‘ff’ and quality goes off a bit.

Overall – very good program, for the most part very well played!

P.S. Good idea with the Mexican wave and throwing stuff at drummer – I’ll have to remember that!

West of England Regional Championship Torquay

Date	9th March 2008		Draw No	9
Event	West of England Regional Championship Torquay		Bands In Section	14
Adjudicator(s)	Peter Roberts & Rob Wiffin		Marks	179pts
Section	3rd		Result	4th
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		The Dark Side of the Moon by 'Paul Lovatt-Cooper'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Peter Roberts

Atmospheric opening and an attempt made at structured dynamics leading to rhythmically strong presto section.
[E] Introduction good solo entries, wild tuning 4 before.
[I] Quite good, not all entries heard at [K] [L] well done.
[M] Well done solo cornet and accomps.
[O] Generally well handled, just the odd hole in ensemble.
[P] All soloists do well. [R] Good band sound at higher dynamic.
[S] Still f, unconvincing dim into [T] not as good as opening section.
[W] needs more layered dynamics.
[AA] not all parts heard.
[BB] good sub p.
[CC] Well done with effects and a strong finish.

Overall, a fine performance which would have been enhanced by a more dynamically structures approach.

Thank you .


Rob Wiffin

Why not a pedal Bb Bass Trom?
Not bad a little lumpy
[A] dynamic balance OK – why sop so far back?
[B] sop not quite all G’s, Troms OK but SD is louder, 57 + 58 to much band … not bad
[E] loses way just before [F] percussion to loud + band for solo horn to set through 4 before [I] tuning on back bench shifts.
[I] ü
[M] ü Good solo cornet – well done – and nice accomp.
[O] Good detail. Suspended symbol a bar out _ then makes it mp
[P] ok ü Trom ü solo cornet ü (just makes the A)
[Q] to much band [R] ü
[S] nice tone – light for f but good shape – euph not quite to top C. Chords before [T] not loud at all
[T] OK
[U] ü
[V] good trom chord
[W] ü [X] Sop a little sharp [Y] ü
[Z]
[AA] too much band [BB] bravo molto rall to end – Timp starts roll to early (3 before end)
Overall a good performance not without errors but much to commend, well judged tempo’s presto keeping drve but allowing for detail.

Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band National Festival

Date	19th January 2008		Draw No	11
Event	Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band National Festival		Bands In Section	11
Adjudicator(s)	David Horsfield and Roger Webster		Marks	183pts
Section	3rd		Result	2nd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		Symphony for Brass by 'Victor Ewald' Arr by 'Michael Hopkinson'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Roger Webster

1: Solid opening
Try to keep the music flowing
Such a solid, full sound into F
Cornet – so good into G
Introduction @ G mutes – retune
Dynamics good to close

2: Good Start
Perhaps a little to healthy for p
Allegro vivace, some (most) solo lines are very well played. One or two tend to push dynamics (the wrong way!)
Flugel etc very good to end.

3: Once again, some very fine playing.
S – neat, very good euph basses
This performance has many strengths – well balanced + some good detail

David Horsfield

1: Try to keep the melody lines flowing even at 100 (crotchet’s per minute). Dynamics are quite well graded and the general ensemble has a compact and secure feel. Mutes (tuning) G! In H a good atmosphere is created. Percussion enhances well. In the ‘agitato’ an excitement brings to an affective close.

2: lyrical style ok with attention to contrasts. Again good work from percussion. 207 way out muted cornets. Soloists generally show style and composure and bring the movement to a well controlled close (only a little un-tuneful)

3: more definition needed N (horns!!!). Well balanced Q, B nice and the details impresses. Good bass line at S. 101 mishap in horns. Untidy sop U + 5. S.Drum a little loud at times.

A performance of merit, just early tuning detract.

Thank you

61st Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association at Torquay

Adjudicators Remarks

ARNEM, Full rich Start,
good dynamics [B] well balanced,
nice glisses, [E] bell effect very fine,
[G] sweet,I like the rubato Allargando-spendid basses etc,
and so well tuned at the end.
UTRECHT, [A] great start,but you slow down- [B] stylish
[C] Troms so well balanced-and blend with Euph(as 4th trom)
3 before [E] great basses,Faultless ending.
ZUTPHEN, A great start,this is all so musical [B] Tiny split,
but so very musical - awkward all those off beat's,
and you played them magnificently,
I enjoyed your music making,
William Relton.

Exmouth Brass Band Festival

Adjudicators Remarks

“Restormel”

Well styled march feel and the detailed playing impresses. An original (and good) march gets the programme off to a great opening.

“My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose”

A very musical performance from the cornet Soloist and also the band. The movement of the music impresses. The soloist displays a great style (only the occasional blemish; but so much to admire). Thank you.

“The Mill in the Dale”

A very well presented number (this brought back memories!). Congratulations to the miller (and also percussionists).

“The Lord is Gracious”

A Spacious feel is achieved here and some rich sounds are enhanced with effective dynamics.

“An American Trilogy”

Atmospheric setting to this melody and you create a dramatic style. A little untuneful before [D]. The character of the music shines through and a great build is well controlled to the close.

“Can Can”

A lively close to a great programme; well balanced, well controlled throughout by M.D

Many thanks and good luck.

83rd Annual Contest @ Bugle (Test Piece)

Adjudicators Remarks

Controlled opening – spacious sounds.
[A] lovely dynamic + balance for bass lead.
[C] cornet/trom fanfare stylish – good sound.
I can hear all the sounds.
[D] again the playing has space + time.
Just the right atmosphere.
[G] measured cornet semis.
[H] careful in ensemble – [J] effective quaver rhythm.
[K] nice [M] cornets lets the 6/8 rhythm flow [N] careful sop.
Lovely level of sound.
[O] fine balance for cornet/cornets.
Nice work from soprano.
[Q] horn lead nearly “Lost”.
[R] a nice change of mood – fine bass line.
[T] all goes well the rhythm is just right.
[Y] semis don’t get in the way of the melodic line.
[Z] measured cornet semis.
[Aa] clarity in ensemble.
[Bb] a really fine sound.
[Cc] lovely dynamic – precise horn playing [Dd] you capture the mood – nice bass semis to follow.
[Ff] this ending was so nicely shaped.
Excellent ending.

From the very first bar you captured the mood of this descriptive music. Excellent rhythm – secure ensemble – confident soloists.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
BRAVO!!

Thank you!!

83rd Annual Contest @ Bugle (March)

Adjudicators Remarks

A neat opening – Good Sound
Nice dynamics – rhythm secure.
[A] neat – [B] all tightly in its place.
This is confident playing.
Careful before [D]. Euph comes over in style as do troms.
This is lovely playing – ensemble work tight.
A fine performance.
This was a fine piece of march playing.

Thank you!!

Butlins Mineworkers Open Brass Band Festival (Skegness)

Adjudicators Remarks

Adjudicator: Colin Hardy
1. Secure start with most in place [A] this has a nice rhythm flow to it apart from the odd loose bar is OK. [D] Good balance [E] reasonably secure [G] flows to close.

2. Secure again + lots of detail [H] + also [J] + 4 odd slip but picks up [K] the balance is generally OK. Just odd bars of intonation [M] + solo cornet /Euph this was very tasteful – thanks so musical all way to close.

3. Just a shade steady for me & some of the music is lost but still lots of detail and good dynamic contrasts. [T] Lots of detail here 222 very musical this well done. 227 very detailed. [V] To close well in control

This was a very musical performance


Adjudicator: Nigel Boddice

1. Some confidence shown from cornets but unsettled ensemble noted.
Good control shown positively at [A] denoting preparation dynamic appreciated yet still with energy. A little lacklustre in slower section at [E] as energy level drops but closes very well indeed.

2. Musical detail accomplished with much musical taste and direction, Bravo, Odd technical dip noted. [K] Maestoso played with taste once again consisting of musicianship shown throughout and appreciated develop cornets further odd lose the odd split note.

3. Just a touch slow but never the less the control is at timer [V] impressive with direction largely faithful to the scene. Tasteful pace to notes atmosphere felt and realised.

Overall a fine performance generally appreciated.
Very fine direction and understanding of the scene.

Bravo & Thanks

Exmouth Entertainment Competition

Date	9th September 2006		Draw No	10
Event	Exmouth Entertainment Competition		Bands In Section	0
Adjudicator(s)	John Berryman		Marks
Section	2nd		Result	3rd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		War of the Celts/Lord of the Dance: 'Arr Frank Bernaerts' Vitae Lux: 'Arr Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen' The Waltonian: 'Arr By Thomas Wyss' Kell's water: 'Peter Graham' Blades of Toledo: 'T.L.Sharpe' Toccata in D minor: 'Arr Jan Van Kraeydonck' Proper Job
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Adjudicators Remarks

War of the Celts:

A good opening but a touch polite for f and making an immediate impact however overall we hear a good balanced sound. At the change of key in bar 5 it is once again a touch light for f especially through the semiquavers. Quite often the semis get lost.


Vitae Lux:

A lovely lyrical sound is produces and phrases are well shapes. Lovely overall band sound around [D] and a sonorous bass sound at [F] well controlled final chord.


Waltonian:

Played with great spirit and style. Well played and controlled at the trio. Of course not all the semis heard at [C] but a good. All tight and all in the right style.


Kell's water:

A beautiful relaxed style from flugel where band is suitably restrained. Euph also plays with some style. Intonation before [G] not quite there and just a touch tentative from [H] to the end.


Blades of Tolado:

Troms are nicely balances and band once again accompanies well, Band controls the dynamics well at [5] and a lovely unison from troms although intonation does wonder at times later. Good style throughout.


Toccata:

Good unisons generally but don’t allow the pause to tail off slightly. Good tempo at the tempo at the rock section. I don’t quite hear the semis from the cornets around [80] but a great finish.


Proper Job:

Played by “proper Cornish bands men/woman” and no one but a Cornish band could finish its program with it. Played with real spirit


Well done.

Truro Open Entertainment Contest

Date	22nd April 2006		Draw No	4
Event	Truro Open Entertainment Contest		Bands In Section	0
Adjudicator(s)	John Maines		Marks	183pts
Section	Open		Result	2nd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		Gaelforce By 'Peter Graham' I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen By 'Alan Fernie' Ballycastle Bay By 'Bob Barratt & Edrich Siebert' The Irish Blesing By 'Joyce Eilers Bacak arr. Stephen Bradnum' The War Of The Cults 'Arranged By Frank Bernaerts' and Lord Of The Dance 'Arranged By Frank Bernaerts' Soldier Song (Irish National Anthem) 'Arranged By Derek Johnston'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Gaelforce:

Colourful entrance! A good band sound is heard and intonation is good. Flugel has a nice sound and accomps are well handled. Nice muted effects just the odd clip well done flugel. Likewise Euph at [M] Moves to an exciting end.


I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen:

A little nervy to begin but the soloist has a nice sound and the band accomps are sympathetic to his cause. You could perhaps make more of the obligato section (listen to the expression from euph) Well done trom.


Ballycastle Bay:

Band not together to begin. Band enjoy themselves with this one. Good attention to dynamic contrast. Very enjoyable


The Irish Blessing:

Quartet is well balanced although phrase endings are a little abrupt. Good entry from band but again phrase endings needs to be shaped more. Quartet end well. Nicely played


The War of the Celts:

Good start and all goes well with a good band sound and a good rhythmic pulse. Good tempo change allowing everything to be heard. Lose the melody line somewhat in the Lord of the Dance especially at [138]. This is well played but the melody is buried at the end.


Overall a good show, varied and entertaining.

Thank you

50th Annual Band Contest @ Truro

Date	9th April 2005		Draw No	1
Event	50th Annual Band Contest @ Truro		Bands In Section	0
Adjudicator(s)			Marks	178pts
Section	2nd		Result	1st
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	Best Player of the section, Steve Andrews
Piece(s) Played		Tam O'Shanter's Ride by 'Denis Wright'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Rather untidy at the start – cornets really balanced.
Secure solists to Animoato - this sounds rushed.
Solo cornet rather # in pitch at [3].
Con moto is =96 not 70!
Good bass detail in the link to 88.
At tempo this sounds rushed in rhythm and is too loud solo cornet (it is only mf at the start!)
Well done Bass Trom & Bass Bb.
At the Andante the dynamics and balance is not always accurate.
The chord should always be heard (albeit in the distance).
Secure link to the allergro where the rhythm is rather erratic (good sop!)
Cannot hear crotchets in bass sequence.
Good cornets at 9 but too loud.
It is f for all parts at 10
Secure link to ‘reel’ which moves nicely then becomes uncontrolled.
Rough bass link but quite stylish Euph and cornets (too loud again …)
Untidy ensemble at times from 14 to 15 but mf | f | ff steps well controlled.
Lacks energy at Agitato.
Ensemble untidy in this section.
Needs more pace at fin moto.
Fair bass link to 17, this is quite well done.
Good solo playing generally from lento – but details of find … not really …

A good attempt at this difficult music but much detail overlooked in dynamics … contents. Also balance of parts need more rehearsal.

58th Annaul Championships at Torquay

Date	6th November 2004		Draw No	3
Event	58th Annaul Championships at Torquay		Bands In Section	0
Adjudicator(s)			Marks	176pts
Section	3rd		Result	1st
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	Best Horn Section
Piece(s) Played		Simon Called Peter 'Gilbert Vinter'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Really a bright tempo (d=108)? But this is pastime pleasing – well rehearsed!
Nice horn solo, just lacks some fluency.
Balance in [E]3/4.
Super solo in [F] – Well done.
Trom solo excellent just the right style.
Super sop solo in [J]. Trom intonation at [J]?? Andante Con moto?
You really make as effect to play ‘pp’ in [L].
Dynamics before [N] could be more effective.
Good rhythm before [O] sp horn.
Do give note full value before [Q] i.e. (notation).
Intonation is fine bass.

A convincing performance – well rehearsed and directed. Just the occasional flaw mares an overall excellent performance.

Nation Brass Band Championships Of Great Britain @ Torquay Riviera Centre

Date	21st September 2002		Draw No	7
Event	Nation Brass Band Championships Of Great Britain @ Torquay Riviera Centre		Bands In Section	21
Adjudicator(s)	Melvin White and Dennis Wilby		Marks	177pts
Section	4th		Result	3rd
Director	Derek Johnston		Special Awards	-
Piece(s) Played		A Cambrian Suite by 'Michael Ball'
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Adjudicators Remarks

Melvin White

1. Careful opening – soloist displays nice style (flugel? intonation) Dynamics noted (was ff … up too big?) One or two minor probs but nice shape and dynamics show well.

2. Nice Euph (cornets a shade too loud?) Flugel more warmth please but quite safe. Some really nice shapes here – a degree of tenderness & simplicity. Really nice solo cornet & lovely changeover – only poco … A tempo – nice touches – semi quavers not quite together to [9] Rit nice touches. > could be more to 10. But nice touches. Good movement.

3. Good start – (horn un-tuneful low d!) A degree of stability although your desire to have fun cause some problems with quavers. Nice allegro, good band sound. Mp dim could be more noticeable.

Overall a very good performance


Dennis Wilby

A measured opening – entries come over nicely.
[1] Stylish soloist
[2] Nicely done
[3] Good sound – measured semis all goes well
[4] Sop confident, baritones not, just “nice”
[5] Nice semis. Ensemble work is fine – controlled, fine ending.
A controlled opening – lovely euph – flugel from trio has shape
[7] This is fine playing
[8] Cornet has a lovely shape – bravo!! This is well shaped – a tempo is well done
[10] Balanced cornets – confident sop – Flugel – the ending was nicely shaped
2/4 a well managed opening – you place the semis nicely. I can hear all the entries – percussion some nice touches
[14] Controlled
[15] Confident troms
[19] This is a fine sound
[22] Lovely sound. Meno mosso controlled – the music has space
[23] Fine sound – nicely done <>
2/4 you can cope with this increase in tempo
[26] Impressive

Good soloists in this band – good sounds – I liked it - a lot!!

Thanks