PhoenixDave said:
You are missing my point. I am not concerned with where he placed the bands - John Berryman placed us first, Ian placed us 8th, Fred Bloggs could have placed us 92nd - I am concerned with his COMMENTS - if Philip Sparke produced a set of remarks that were that negative then yes I would criticise - If I produce a set of remarks that were to criticise bands, individuals within bands and call them all the names under the sun, would they be posted on here just because "they are my opinion and therefore cannot be wrong"?, chances are I would thrown off this forum. I am standing up for my right to call for a MORE POSITIVE approach from us all to adjudicating lower section contests - I have been to a contest where we have had a whole page full of criticism and no positives - it is soul-destroying and makes you question why you are doing it. For a piece like Tam O'Shanter, the adjudicator probably realised that technical accuracy was not going to be there, and therefore went on the shape of the piece and the sound of the band.
I would disagree with you. We shouldn't be telling adjudicators what we expect them to write and how to do so. Also I don't think that anyone has suggested that people's opinions are correct, merely that they are not incorrect by the virtue of them being a particular person's (or not a particular person's) opinion. Adjudicators aren't paid to be nice, and when something is really awful, telling the truth is the most positive thing you can do. I, for one, appreciate an honest, warts and all, opinion rather than one that pulls punches, because I find it condescending.
If ian wants to write comments like this then fair play to him, if he wants to say that he felt the solists were poor at letter b then he can do that to. I would suggest that the band concerned would be able to look at their own performance and see exactly what was meant by those comments and take what they can from them. Certainly Ian's comments aren't offensive and don't use any personal invective so I can't see any grounds for you to complain about them on that grounds. I've also see much more cryptic comments on adjudicators marksheets as well (and they are pros).
Maybe you should question why you are in banding if your enthusiasm is so affected by another's opinion, whoever they are.