Simoraine Clive Barraclough

Confident opening - but there’s a little scrappiness in semiquavers. Lots of detail in articulation and dynamics comes across though. Cornet does well through solo and bass soli is good - perhaps a little too heavy in upper band/snare though. Some lovely sounds in euphs and baris at the trio and good controlled playing here, and everything is tight all the way to the end. A competent march by a quality band - but I wish you had given us something a little less traditional to begin.

Love Of My Life Freddie Mercury arr; Svein H. Giske

A little lumpy to begin, it everything is in the right place. Are all the pitches in tuned perc correct?? Baritone begins well and I’m ediately we hear a nice warm sound with a controlled vibrato. There’s a little intonation issue around Fs in solo but nothing too major - everything flows well and soloist makes a lovely expressive sound into the high register. Band is accompanying sensitively - but perhaps becomes a little aggressive in the louder tuttis (cornets get a bit edgy at times). There’s nice attention to detail in the accompaniment when the solo returns now with muted cornets. Bravo! This was enjoyable solol playing.

Cantina Band John Williams arr; Kvamme

Good feel from the off and kit does well to drive things along. Troms make a good section sound, but there’s the occasional slip here. Horns also do well to follow, and cornet technique is good into the drum solo. Good dynamic detail to close and the choreography enhances things. A fun crowd pleaser and good addition to the programme.

Cantilena Philip Sparke

Nice solos to begin - chimes are a little heavy. Again, we hear some lovely euphonium sounds within the blend, followed by nice contributions from Flugel and baritone. Everything is well blended and balanced. The horn soli works well to follow and we hear all the lines. There’s some lovely solid band playing displayed and a warmth to everything. Lots of lovely solo contributions to close. ?! It takes a minute to realise what’s going on. Good idea to try this, but i’m not sure the segue works!

Knut Liten og Sylvelin Trad/Gåte arr; Frode Rydland

Once the ear adjusts, we still hear there’s a few intonation issues in the melody as well as in the chords. But there’s a nice drive and energy to this. Once we reach the middle band soli, there’s an increasing amount of slips and this is become a little scrappy. A pity, as there has been some very strong playing otherwise, but tiredness is taking its toll now.

Some really nice moments throughout this, and there’s a precision and control about your approach. I’d have liked you to take a bit more of a risk with the programme and really play to the venue. Despite this, the march was some of your tightest playing today and you managed to keep the audience relative engaged throughout. Thanks again for all your hard work in preparing both yesterday and today’s programmes.