Report & Results: 2012 NABBA Championships

1-Apr-2012
Atlantic Brass Band claims North American National title.

Masquerade proved a stern test for the Championship Section at this years North American championships, but Atlantic Brass Band was able to navigate the minefield and make some great music in the process.

Out to prove that last year was no fluke, Atlantic displayed good control in the very difficult set piece. On Saturday night, they chose to show of the band’s full brass band sound with the classic Contest Music.

Fountain City was surely disappointed to come second by a narrow margin given their efforts. Their rendition of Masquerade displayed a clarity that was difficult to attain the live hall. On Saturday evening, the band truly captured the essence of Albion with the rage of battle.

In third were the youthful James Madison. The band showed some wonderful technique on both Masquerade an Battle Creek; However, they were unable to show the mature sound and subtle nuisances of the top two bands.

Columbus finished next in their first contest after a four-year hiatus. The band still play well (there beginning and ending of Paganini was quite captivating), but will need to clean up some details and extended their dynamic range to climb up the ranks.

With all the bands playing so well, it was a shame one had to finish last, but Chicago took those honours this year. With fine performances of the set piece and Battle Creek for their own choice Chicago will be left scratching their heads a bit.

In the first section Central Ohio cruised to victory amongst a field that is increasing in depth with some very good bands. There were also notable performances by Massanutten, Princeton and the two Michigan bands Five Lakes and Oakland University

Madison used their US Open experience to claim the 2nd Section and Bend In the River claimed the third section.

Championship
Set Piece - Masquerade (Wilby)
1. Atlantic Brass Band, Scarpa, 4/3, 283.2
2. Fountain City, Oyster, 2/2, 282.8
3. James Madison, Stees, 5/1, 275
4. Columbus, Stevens, 1/4, 269.8
5. Chicago, Holman, 3/5, 268.4

1st Section
Set Piece - Pageantry (Howells)
1. Central Ohio, Sneeringer, 8, 285.8
2. Massanutten, Stees, 3, 282.4
3. Princeton, Allen, 4, 278
4. Five Lakes, Barlow, 2, 274.2
5. Oakland University, Kroesche, 5, 270.6
6. New England, Bulla, 1, 266.2
7. Natural State, Morris, 6,261.2
8. Cincinnati, Hunt, 7, 261.0

2nd Section
Set Piece - Dark Side of the Moon (Lovatt-Cooper)
1. Madison, Mason, 1, 270.2
2. Chesapeake Silver Cornet, Murray, 4, 264
3. Spires, Slezak, 3, 247.8
4. Tri-State, Gue, 2, 242.2

3rd Section
Set Piece - Jubilus (Van der Roost)
1. Bend in the River, Bunner, 1, 274.4
2. Rockville, Horne ,2, 248.8

Youth Open Section

1. Triangle Brass Ensemble, Rackley, 1, 267

People's Choice Award

Princeton Brass Band

President's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Brass Bands and their Culture

James Curnow

Solo & Ensemble Competition

10-Piece Band
1. Oakland University

High-Brass Technical
1. Amy Nelson
2. Raquel Rodriquez
3. Bryan Appleby-Weinberg

High-Brass Slow Melody
1. Kelly Watkins
2. Michael Flickinger
3. Michael Jones

High-Brass Slow Melody - Senior
1. Donald McKenzie
2. Larry Cole