Rolls Sparks with a clean sweep at Leicester
Last weekend the band entered the Leicester open own choice test piece competition held in Loughborough. The band chose to play Philip Spark's '3 Minatures' which the band will also be playing as a set test piece for the Butlins competition in January 2012.
Playing off a number 3 draw out of 8 the band took to the stage. The test piece is split into three movements each with many twists and turns to challenge and stretch all players. The band played a solid performance with many fine moments and some stunning individual solo work on cornet, euphonium, flugal and horn.
There was nothing to do then but sit and wait for the other five bands to perform. There were some magnificent performances and the overall standard of musicianship was very high.
When David Horsfield took to the stage he mentioned that the outstanding bands of the day had common elements in place within their performances including good intonation, contrast between all the dynamics and a warm full sound when playing fortissimos.
The first award given out was the best instrumental soloist award, which went to Andrew Sharpe our very own principle cornet. The full results were then announced. With so many fine performances we were unsure if we would come in the prizes but were very pleased to received the first prize as well as best instrumentalist. Full results and photos below:
1st Rolls Royce Derby Band
2nd AvonBank
3rd Hucknall and Lindby
4th Rushden Windmill
5th Worsborough Brass
6th Chalgrove
7th University of Warwick
8th Croft Silver
