Arrow Valley Brass (Conductor: Alex Bland) -

Band number 4. 

Arrow Valley Brass (Alex Bland) - Dark Side of the Moon 

Fitting piece for current global events and a return of Alex as MD. 

Interesting use of Cloth over the top of the bell on the back row, once again I like the artistic choice. 

Opening theme is handled well and trombone gliss up is nice. Sop is creating a nice sound. Bravo. 

Fast section is handled well. Back row tune works well. The effects work well a few intonation issues but doesn’t detract. 

PC handles the solo very well and is followed by a great effort from the bumper, and then the Solo Horn. Well done to all involved. 

Nice bass section sound and effects going around the band. Percussion does very well throughout. 

Echo effect works as well as the cymbal on top of the timpani. PC handles the solo tune very well once again and creates a lovely sound. Bravo. 

Accompaniment is lovely throughout the passage making it easy for soloist to sit on top. Back row does well keeping it flowing as well as the Bass Section. Flugel solo starts and once again has a lovely amount of emotion, and a great attempt from Solo Trombone. Solo Horn follows and creates a nice sound. This is well navigated through a hard section of the piece. 

Nice crescendo into the big tune. Sop once again shines through sitting on top whilst maintaining a lovely sound. Euph sounds are lovely as a counter melody then links up well with the Rep and Flugel. Another big crescendo to a lovely full sound, well controlled and then settles back into the opening theme well. Some nice Bass Trombone notes come through well (could even bring them out even more!). 

Really listen to each other here to make sure you are in time as well as helping with some intonation issues. 

Some nice playing in another hard section of the piece. Snare does a great job at staying crisp and driving forward. Dynamic contrast works well throughout the band. HORN RIPS!! I love this even if I may be biased they are controlled well and come across well. Big Rall to the end which the band navigates well and a nice sound to end. 

Well played all, a great attempt at a piece which I personally really enjoy. 

Thank you.

~ Sam E.