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Latest edition of Brass Band World magazine out now: The June issue of Brass Band World magazine is packed full of views and opinions, features and reviews. https://t.co/TKaLey8IRW
What a fine contest the Grand Shield has been. A select handful of bands have succeeded in unlocking both the musical and technical elements of A Brussels Requiem and Chris Thomas goes for a top four of Desford, Rothwell, NASUWT Riverside and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery.
The Grand Shield is reaching a conclusion in the Opera House with @RothwellTemps and @RainfordBand set to close the contest. There will be real hopes amongst the @RothwellTemps players for an immediate return to the British Open following relegation last September.
@CMFCB and NASUWT Riverside have both delivered performances of outstanding quality in the Opera House. Both had minor blemishes but were also musically informed and wonderfully colourful in their differing approaches.
A performance of technical merit from @TheGUSBand that opened beautifully but ultimately came over as a touch restrained in its overall musical impact. Fine soloists were very much to the fore.
Chris Thomas is going for a half time top three of Desford, Friary and Wingates in what is rapidly developing into an intriguing Grand Shield contest in the Opera House
A performance laden with drama and musical intent from Ever Ready, but one that was not always totally consistent in its execution and rhythmic clarity. Those fine margins are going to count in a Grand Shield that is likely to be a close call come the end if the contest.
@DesfordBand has taken the Grand Shield by storm in the Opera House. A performance of searing accuracy and overflowing with emotion. This could take some beating… even at this relatively early stage of the day.
We are witnessing a good overall standard in the Grand Shield with @OldhamBandLees giving us a Brussels Requiem of searing drama and intensity from the number 5 draw.
@redbridgebrass are the second consecutive Southern Counties band to have given us an impressive reading of A Brussels Requiem in the Opera House this morning. So much to commend here and we are being set up for a fine contest ahead.
What a fine opening performance from @friarybrassband in the Grand Shield. This had both emotion and energy in equal measure and has set an admirable early marker.
Today’s British Open Spring Festival adjudicating team…
Grand Shield: Morgan Griffiths & Lynda Nicholson
Senior Cup: Alan Morrison & Andrea Price
Senior Trophy: Helen Douthwaite-Teesdale & John Doyle
@bassbonechris All set for a long but fascinating day in the Grand Shield with twenty bands battling for a place at the Open on Bert Appermont’s challenging A Brussels Requiem. It promises to be quite a contest!!
It’s the British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool UK and our Chief Contributor, Chris Thomas @bassbonechris is there for Brass Band World. Subscribe to BBW at https://t.co/PkYuS9HXzQ for Chris’s full retrospective in the next edition. Good luck to all the competing bands 🎶