National Music Festival 2010

A tremendous day of music and fellowship was undertaken at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church for the fourth national BB/GB Music Festival. There were over 60 entries culminating in a whole day of music finishing with a mini-showcase. Support from other competitors and the public was brilliant with a record 130 spectators at certain parts of the day.

There were entries in six class groups: brass, woodwind, keyboards, mixed instrumentals, percussion and voice. We continue to expand the class-types and this year we expanded the CD track classes and saw entries on guitars and solo percussion including a selection of Indian percussion. 

It was also pleasing that a number of adults entered this event demonstrating that this is not just a youth event, but an “all-age” Brigades’ event. We had over 100 participants from 14 different companies. Local companies in the South were joined by companies from Kent, Doncaster, Birmingham, and London.

A number of entries this year were cross-company entries made by “Brigade friends” as well as ensembles formed for the occasion as well as few non-Brigade members in entries. We were treated to a selection of additional items as part of the performances. We had flippers, Barber Shop quartet, bouncing basketballs, and an initiative ‘rap’ with brass and vocals! We were also entertained by some slapstick drumming and chime bars.

Our entries still continue to increase (4% on the previous year) and it is hoped that the number of entries will continue to increase again for next year as more companies get involved (see below).

The adjudication was provided by Ian Luxford who has an extensive background in Music Education & Media. His expertise and professionalism was put across with positive enthusiasm which gave all performers future development goals, targets and aspirations. 

The Festival, although non-competitive, encourages the individual as well as the team to perform to their highest standard, and performances which are clear, concise and communicate to the audience bridging the gap between technical ability and artistic nuances achieve very creditable results.

The broad marking range for participants was:

Fair  75-77 A performance limited in its communications
Promising 78-80 A performance showing development of technique and/or communications
Merit  81-83  A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability
Highly Commended  84-86  A convincing performance technically and artistically
Distinction  87-89  An excellent performance technically and artistically
Honours  90+  An exceptional performance technically and artistically

The results were very encouraging and all faired very well:

Fair  3
Promising  5
Merit  21
Highly Commended  24
Distinction  5
Honours  0

For the ‘best of classes’ the adjudicator had the discretion to award cups and trophies to entrants who are awarded the following levels of attainment: Highly commended; Distinction or Honours.

The results for the 2010 Festival are:

Brass
Most promising Junior brass player (12 years and under)  Claudia Jenkins – 1st Eastleigh GB
Most promising brass player (13 to 18 years)  Ben Knight – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes. (12 years and under)  Not awarded
Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes. (13 years to Adult)  Senior Band of 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Fred Mansfield Shield - Most outstanding group in the brass band classes 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Woodwind
Most promising woodwind player (12 years and under)  Lizette Bailey – 1st Hedge End GB
Most promising woodwind player (13 to 18 years)  Thomas Mussell – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes Diana Boyles and Diane Farrenden – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Vocal
Most promising Junior vocalist (12 years and under)  Eleanor Clifford and Amy Buckette – 1st Totton GB
Most promising vocalist  Hannah Morton – 1st Totton GB
Most promising Youth Choir CFMC Youth Choir 
Keyboards
Most promising keyboard player (12 years and under)  Lizette Bailey – 1st Hedge End GB
Most promising keyboard player (13 to 18 years)  Not awarded
Mixed Instrumentals
Most promising player Timothy Coutts – Kent BB
Most promising ensemble Daniel Richardson, Alex and Aimee Ogilvie – 7th Doncaster BB/GB
Percussion
Most promising player Aaditya Sahai – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Most promising ensemble Daniel Richardson and Alex Ogilvie – 7th Doncaster BB/GB
Adjudicators Medals
Brass – solo  Jonathon Bailey – 1st Hedge End BB
Brass – ensembles  Stephen and Amy Coulter – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Brass Bands 7th Doncaster BB/GB
Woodwind – ensembles  Thomas Mussell – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Keyboards Jonathon Bailey – 1st Hedge End BB
Vocal – solo  Jack and Eddie Simmonds – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Vocal – ensembles 1st Totton GB
Mixed Instrumentals – solo Thomas Mussell – 1st Chandlers Ford BB
Mixed Instrumentals – group Diana, Polly and Jack Boyles – 1st Chandlers Ford BB

 

 


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