National Finals 2007

The last week preparations for the National Finals started with a concert in Driffield. This concert was a joint event with the East Riding Youth Brass Band, conducted by Alison Grantham and Andy Grace. As part of the Band's programme we performed Philip Sparke's 'Music For Battle Creek', as well as featuring several of the Band's soloists. Following this the Band had rehearsals in several different venues to prepare themselves for the different acoustics to be found in the Royal Albert Hall.

Starting with Hessle Town Hall, the Band prepare in different ways. Some blow (Bob on the BBb Bass), some polish (Andy on the Euphonium), some take the deep mental thought approach (Vicki on the Cornet), and some just talk (All the women in the corner).

The Percussion section check all the nuts and bolts.

We even had a panel of three adjudicators.

Things start to settle down now that the music stands have arrived - all we need now is the music.

And off we go.

On the journey down to London just after the service station stop. Mark goes for a serious caffeine boost, whilst Steve goes for a girly magazine.

Coffee drunk and it's time for that traditional event - the Band fiddle. Richard smiles after entering, he actually thought he had a chance of winning.

At last Mark puts a mask on whilst he holds up the passengers.

Watched closely by Manuel, Tony makes sure the Band name is correctly displayed.

Joined by the Band Groupies, there was time for a coffee before the evening meal. Carol, Alison, Lyn and Phil.

Carol, Richard, Alice, Steve, Alison and Lyn.

Of course this wasn't a posed picture.

When in Rome........ Carol, Alison, Steve, Alice and Pete, tuck in at the local Moroccan restaurant. It's hard to tell whether the big jug to Steve's left is the 'peace pipe', or just a large half of lager!

Denise and Carol discuss their 'children'!

It must have been an interesting conversation, Denise is so shocked that she's reading her book upside down.

After a hard days work in the grotto, Garry arrived after a long train journey down to London. But what is he holding? Is it a) Dean's Wallet, b) The case for Neil's Shirt, c) Stewart's Wash Bag, or d) Garry's weekend case.

Rehearsal time - note how many empty music stands there are. How many other bands had to memorise the music?

Neil gives his best impression of a cheeky chappie.

Yellow & Red, and that's just Andy's hair!

Pretty in Pink - apparently!

If we ever get sponsored by Rainbow, we've got the walking out uniform sorted out already. Can you spot Geoffrey, Zippy and Bungle?

Andy, Kirsty, Kathy, Neil, Vicki, Alison and Steve.

If you go to London for the weekend, and fancy a nice relaxed weekend, try not to go on Finals weekend. Our rehearsal started at 8am, not much chance to enjoy a lie in.

Looks like Steve & Tony needed a little help from the devil with this part.

Vicki, watch and learn from your Dad - he blows into the other end!

John gets an important message via his magic crayon (and he'd only had time to colour half of Andy's head so far).

Following breakfast, and the early morning rehearsal, it was time to depart for the short trip to the Royal Albert Hall for the contest.

Waiting in reception for the coach to arrive.

It's an early morning, and here's the Band Cockerel!

The look that says 'I'm enjoying this'.

Spot the difference?

Just like rush hour - block the pavement and get on the bus first.

How's this for an 'arty' shot, split by the lamp post.

One of our intrepid reporters gets into the Royal Albert Hall before the bands and the audience.

I'm not sure what is happening here, but something on the floor is concerning Russ, Simon, and Steve Gibson. An escape route perhaps.

Mark checks his wallet, whilst Kathy does some lip flexibilities!

Jim wonders about doing a quick stand up routine.

Marvellous things these mobile phone cameras. You take one of me ....

.... and then I'll take you lot!

Note Andy's hair, specially dyed for the day, and note the bottom end of the back-row, hair specially died for the day!

How relaxed, time to seek out and wave to mother!

Just time for one more glance around.

And if you want to know what it looks like from the stage.

The Band on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, just waiting for the signal to commence their performance.

Eyes down and we're away.

Following the performance, Jim Davies the Band's Musical Director acknowledged the soloists. First, Solo Euphonium Neil Johnson, then Mark Unsworth Solo Trombone.

Flugel Horn Kathy Newiss, and Solo Horn Alison Grantham.

Solo Baritone John Mathews.

And finally Solo Cornet Steve Rudhall, and the remainder of the Band.

And no sooner had we started, it was time to go, hopefully to be back once again next year. This was the ninth appearance at the National Brass Band Championships, since reaching the Championship section twelve years ago.

Looking down from the 'gods'.

Waiting for the announcement of the results.

Following the performances of all twenty bands, and a short concert, the results were announced. The Band came twelfth, a result that everyone was pleased with. Going into this contest, the Band was ranked 70th by the 4barsrest website, the next nearest 50th, with the remaining bands all ranked in the top 28. On paper we were expected to come last, we didn't - no wonder that everyone was smiling. A little bonus was that the Reg Vardy Band, the other North of England representative band, who beat us earlier this year at the Regional Finals, finished 19th.

David Read

Movement 1. Safe opening, all goes well. Euphonium & Cornet confident not always unanimous. 34 Perhaps a little forced but clear, and I hear most parts as I should. 86 Well balanced if a little heavy - all goes well & 124 is fine. Interlude fine & no problems.

Movement 2. Sonorous Bass to open, 2nd bar is uncertain in pitch, otherwise fine. (loose 2nd time), Baritone confident. 174 Expressive & confident - all well shaped . Luminoso - musically shaped - quite intense and emotional as requested - fine ending.

Movement 3. Full marks for dynamics, not quite so for clarity, Percussion plays a good part. Trombone quite scintillating. This is a difficult work for all subjects to be heard clearly but you make a good attempt.

Some very good moments particularly in the 2nd movement.

David King

Movement 1. Well conceived opening statement and sense of musicality presides. Euphonium & Cornet - shaped well and delivered with generally good phrasing. The f - ff dynamic variation of dynamic not entirely contrasting enough to bring out all lines into relative interplay. The toccata was generally all delivered however at times it lacked cohesion and was a little frantic and untidy. Softer dynamics overdone generally.

Movement 2. Well balanced lower brass choir. Confident and musical Baritone & Trombone declamations. Some warm tonal colour is evident from the middle saxhorn blend - well done horns & baritones. Tranquillo - confident and 'optimistic' Euphonium with good conversational work between solo lines. 189 Cornet & Euphonium work very good. 'Estasico' - good climax into 201.

Movement 3. Lacking clarity and rythmic assertiveness (Percussion well done generally). 264 - 298 not entirely convincing in solo lines however the ensemble is generally impressive 299 onwards.

Tempos well calculated and the band produced a performance with structure and musical intent. Thank you

Derek Broadbent

Movement 1. Opening has good conviction - general detail is heard. Cornet and Euphonium - confident to 28 - just a shade heavy for my taste. 34 Brisk, but detail is portrayed - don't force this please. 63 - somewhat overdone - and not quite controlled 78 - Lacks a little clarity. 86 pp! < > sometimes a shade overdone - some exciting moments to 123. Then please don't overdo the dynamics mp's to mf's only. Interlude - links well - percussion a shade heavy.

Movement 2. A tasteful opening - a little hiccup spoiled. Pleasing Baritone. 160 - a little untidy. Trombone shows good confidence in the solo. 167 - warm sounds here to 174. Euphonium - very stylish. Cornet joins in well. 193 - Nicely played by all - controlled to 199 - where a boldness ensures. Calmando - contrasts well - and the close is beautifully controlled.

Movement 3. A lack of real clarity spoils the opening. Good bongos and percussion in general. 266 A shade hurried, I miss much of the detail. 306 onwards - bold & forceful - and impressive moments are heard. 406 - not overdone. Close - worked well.

Good moments in this performance, with competent secure soloists. Just that lack of detail in the third movement spoils - a competent performance. Thank you very much.

Father and 'son' stroll off to the pub.

Following the performance, and before the results, the Band and most of the other Band's head off to one of two local 'coffee shops', The Goat, or The Queens Mews. We tend to go to the Queens Mews, especially when the weather is good.

You can tell it's early in the day, no queue.

No, honestly I've never had a drink this early before.

So early that the photographer can't focus properly on the watch (it's either twenty to twelve, or ten past six).

A rare sight, the David & Kirsty without the cubs.

Congratulations. Shortly after this picture was taken Alistair & Heather got engaged. Congratulations.

David and Stewart do their best impression of Griff Rhys-Jones and Mel Smith - Head to Head!

Shaun, Garry, Jez, and ....... who does this right arm belong to? Answers on a postcard please.

All very civilised, apart from the plastic glasses.

Alison with her 'minders' - Grandad Phil, and Lyn.

Another clock shot - this time to mark the appearance of Mark. After the performance he'd gone back to bed, and it wouldn't be until 7pm that the first beer touched his lips.

Some of the oldest and longest serving members of the Band. But which is which?

Always a good time to catch up with people not seen since the last visit to London.

The results came, food was eaten, the odd beer consumed (well 3175 is an odd number), quick shower, and then the evenings entertainment. Well, it should have been but the England rugby team couldn't quite manage to win, but the Band had a good night to finish off what had been a great day.

The 2007 Band recruiting picture.

As well as the National Finals, it was also the Rugby Union World Cup Final this evening.

Mum & Dad, with their red-eyed & red-haired son!

Hang on a minute, you're not Kirsty!

Talk about 'caught in the headlights'.

Head down, and someone has pinched her glass, what's happening to Kathy?

Ah, normal service resumed, but look at that scary face (normal service resumed!).

Jim doesn't let the conversation interfere with the matter in hand.

Very dapper.

England -v- New Zealand. It's no contest really, Andy does it still holding his beer.

The effects of hard day begin to take their toll.

What do you mean?

Enough said!

Shush, can't you see the game is on!

I think this was a rugby post-mortem rather than a performance post-mortem.

If you hold your glass at that angle Neil, the beer falls onto the floor. I though you'd know that being a glass engineer!

After spending the weekend with the Band, is Carol showing signs of strain? No, she's just missing daughter Alison - who has spent far too long trying to get served at the bar.