ADJUDICATOR Richard Evans said “the standard was extremely high” in the top section of the Weston-super-Mare 36th annual brass band contest at the Winter Gardens Pavilion on Sunday, May 16. So Chalford Band could be well satisfied with sixth place (186 points) out of the seven quality bands competing in the combined championship/first section, particularly as they beat championship section Lydmet Lydney in the process. Conductor Steve Tubb had in just four or five weeks well prepared a fine, confident performance of his chosen test piece, Peter Graham’s Prisms - a new work for the band. The adjudicator rightly praised Chalford’s soloists for their cadenzas. His main criticism of the ensemble was balance. He felt the bottom of the band swamped the cornet end and the band needed serious balancing. Steve will no doubt take this on board as he strives to take the band up the first section table. Undoubted winners were Kidlington, drawn last, with a brilliant performance of the very difficult Tristan Encounters by Martin Ellerby. They were awarded 192 points. Second and third were first section bands - Swindon Pegasus (191) and Shirley. (189). City of Bristol, playing Variations for Brass Band by Vaughan Williams, were not on their best form and Rogerstone failed to make the prizes with Phillip Sparke’s Tallis Variations. Swindon’s top cornet player won the trophy for best cornet in the section. Richard Evans’ full written remarks on Chalford’s performance were: "Good opening, all rhythms heard. Bit of untidiness into (B) and balance is not good - the cornet end seems to be swamped by the bottom of the band. (D) is better but horns but could be more cantabile - they are almost marcato. Some detail of semis in euph hurried before (E). Again balance out, too much bass 3 before (G). It is a good bass section, but too loud for the band. Very good soloists in cadenza. Euph’s top G is sharp though. At (J) cornet is mf, euph is mp but the euph is loudest. From (K) the melody is lost. I thought the tune was with euph and Eb bass - but in their defence I feel the cornets and horns are ‘hiding.’ (O) seemed neat but I’m finding it hard to hear all parts. There’s obviously good players in this band but it does need serious balancing - one thing, there’s no overblowing from the top end. Thanks for some great music, it’s a fine piece, often overlooked. " | 
