Joel Collier

Professor of music, composer, big fan of cheese

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Home from a remarkable weekend at NABBA, and so glad to have spent time with so many great people! Also, can’t say my predictions were too shabby… not exact, but right there #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

The power that Watson got out of Fire in the Blood was impressive! These kids have range! #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

In youth championship section Watson did a great job with Shine as the Light. So nice to hear such mature playing from such a young group #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Biggest change in my mind is Chicago closed the gap on Fountain City. I could see them swapping places #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

With the quick back-of-napkin math on the test/choice 60/40 weighting, I still don’t feel there’s much movement in the rankings. For me it’s 1. JMU, Fountain City, 3. Chicago, 4. Atlantic, 5. Colorado, 6. Georgia #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Always so enjoyable to listen to own-choice night. The bands really get to put their personalities on display. #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Great stuff from Colorado on The Torchbearer. Genuinely the sound they should have been looking for last night too. So lovely to hear the rich tradition sound at the end there #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Chicago’s performance of Where Angels Fly was certainly dynamic and engaging! They have a lot to be proud of with that. I think it’s going to come down to clarity of score on that one. That and the 60/40 weighting may hurt them #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Heroes will definitely be the most traditional style selection of the night, and that makes sense for Atlantic - that’s where they shine. Some really great playing without the flashy stuff to hide behind! #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Much better performance on Extreme Make-over tonight from Georgia than they were last night. Still a bit scrappy and sometimes unbalanced, but enjoyable nonetheless. Just need to make sure those bottles are tuned! #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

@MattiRaz Draw. I’ll be mentioning the selections as we go

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

And we’re back, ready for championship section own choice selections #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Fraternity is such a powerful piece, and Fountain City certainly delivered on the emotion! Failed to deliver the same power as last night though, and some uncharacteristic tuning issues. #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

JMU with Destination Moon was spectacular! Excellent range, and some really wonderful solos, specially flugelhorn, euph, and trombone. Just shows an audience never knows what do with a soft ending though. Even if the offstage cornets were sublime #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Third section for me: 1. Triangle, 2. FCYBB, 3. Jacksonville State, 4. Natural State, 5. Old Crown, 6. ECU, 7. Dublin Metro #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Judging by the level of preparation between test/choice pieces, I think people forget there’s a 60/40 weighting on the scores. You need that test piece to be great to have a good shot #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Some great playing on the Sinfonietta from FCYBB! Very exciting. Started to sound a little tired, and lacks some sensitivity in delicate moments, but nice to listen to #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Nice work by the FCYBB on Epainos! Definitely the best tubas of third section today. Very exciting, and a fair bit of clarity. #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

The choice of a hymn setting and a March feels more like a concert program for Dublin Metro, but it is allowed by the rules. The March was definitely the best part of their program this afternoon #nabba2022

[Joel Collier @JoelCollMusic]

Epainos may have been a bit much for Dublin Metro, but they gave it their all! Some real rough percussion spots, but some exciting moments for the band #nabba2022