Tam O Shanter's Ride

A confident opening if not quite well tuned in trom unison.  1. set off well and melody lines had clarity but basses were often rather heavy and overblown.  3. was effective.  Con Moto had expressive lines.  Solo cornet was excellent.  The 8/8 was not quite together but a fluent tempo was achieved.  Wood block was not accurate before 6.  The transition to Andante was not well tuned on sustained notes but solo fragments were well matched.  7. basses were too dominant here and distracted attention from melodic lines.  They also led the crescendo with hard sounds.  Transition to Allegro was good.  Sop does well but the louder dynamics were not well balanced and melodic lines were sometimes lost.  The reel was fluent but melodic lines were not audible.  FFF was effective and contrasting styles of accent were found – just try to keep the melody dominant.  The lower end were often very hard and strong in the overall balance.  Percussion could also take a step backwards in dynamic at times.  Cornets were very neat in dialogue.  The fight was very well handled and the “sighs of relief” was successful!  Excellent flugel well matched by baritone in dialogue but accompanying chords were not well tuned.  A well though out ending, broad in style if not quite together in final notes.

Much to commend in a performance that brought the character to life.  I had consistent concerns though in an over enthusiastic bass line that often dominated the balance and need to find its place in the dynamic level.  However a most enjoyable and well shaped performance.

Alan Morrison

187 points

2^nd place