An early start on Sunday 20th November as the coach backed up the band room track at 7:30am, but ultimately a fantastic day in Loughborough as the Senior Band got their second second place in three weeks at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association’s open championship. Drawn 6th, they adjusted to another challenging and very different acoustic, and delivered another solid performance of Sinfonietta No.3 by Etiene Crausaz.

Former Principal Euphonium Stephen Parker was in the audience and commented on WhatsApp “well done sounded great guys, the full band sound was lush and soloists all super”. Nicholas Garman, who was one of the adjudicators from Torquay, commented “Overall, a really good performance, with much to admire”.

As the band gathered by the coach in the sun for some post performance “refreshments”, there was an air of nervous confidence, before going back to the hall for the results. To say the result was well received is probably an understatement, and after some photos, the band set off home, complete with the back seat karaoke choir in “good” voice.

LBBA 1st Section Results
1 SANDHURST
2 CHALFORD
3 FOSS DYKE
4 KIBWORTH
5 AW PARKER
6 SOHAM COMRADES
7 HATHERN
8 ODDFELLOWS

A very well played opening with just a little lack of impact in “ff”. 26 – mostly well played solo horn. “nobile” effective at 45. Again, just lacks a little impact at 55. 60 – well played, especially semiquaver parts. 124 -just a touch of intonation concern in upper cornets. 140 – good. 151 – great perc. 163 – good bari. 172 is controlled but exciting, well done band and thank you MD. 202 – horns/baris slightly lost in texture. 216 v. good hi-hat. 260 quite loud for ppp. 280 – confident playing though the full dynamic range not quite achieved. Well done euph in solo passage. 298 – great playing. Well done solo cornet in cadenza. Poco animando is well managed. 331 – terrific playing. It is well balanced, in tune and the maestoso feel is well achieved. The transition to 344 is well done and I really sense the energico from 344. 369 is a little loud for written pp. 382 – sextuplets in euph/baris are a little lost in the balance. 392 – very well played. 400 onwards, I don’t hear sop and the end is just a little “tired” sounding with balance not quite right and lacking dynamic impact. But, thank you for staying in tune.

Overall, a really good performance with much to admire. There were just one or two points as above to consider, moving forward. Thank you for your playing today.

Nicholas Garman