2010 Norwegian National Championships - Third Division preview and prediction
3-Feb-2010There is plenty to look forward to in the Third Division - especially as the bands usually have a taste for the classics of the banding repertoire.
Adjudicators: Elisabeth Fossan & Jens T. Larsen
Friday 5th February (16.00)
Perhaps the most intriguing contest of the whole weekend will take place on Friday in the Peer Gynt Hall, where 15 bands battle it out to see which of them will become the 3rd Division National Champion and pick up the KR5,000 first prize.
Ambitious
Intriguing, because given the quality of some of the bands, and the ambitious choices of music, it could either be a stunning delight or a bit of a musical car crash.
3rd Division bands playing ‘Salute to Youth’, ‘Triumphant Rhapsody’, ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ and ‘Trittico’ to name but a few? A few seat belts may have to be tightened if some bands are to make it home safely on these ones.
Improve
For Bergen Brass and Kim Lofthouse, there is a real chance to improve on last year’s 7th place, and with the boost of coming 3rd at SIDDIS, they will be keen to make a mark with their own choice selection of ‘Purcell Variations’.
As for Bjorsvik Brass? After their rather surreal performance in winning the 4th Division title last year on ‘Journey into Freedom’, the Eikanger ‘semi retirement’ home should once again show that age has not wearied the skills.
After coming 2nd at SIDDIS, another victory could be on the cards under Russell Gray. This time they have chosen to test their powers on Philip Sparke's ‘Partita’.
Push up
Borge Brass came 8th last year and will be keen to improve on that under the direction of Oddvar Nostdal and their own choice of ‘A Salford Sinfonitta’, whilst Fjell Brass returns under Svein Henrik Giske looking to push up towards the podium places with their selection of ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’.
Flora won 4th Division promotion last year after a fine performance under Johnny Saelemyr, and will be keen to make an immediate impression with their choice of ‘Kaleidoscope’, whilst Fraena Musikkorps will also be keen to capture a podium spot after coming 4th twelve months ago. This time they are one of three bands to opt for James Curnow’s ‘Trittico’.
Gjesdal Brass will be one of the pre contest favourites after they shrugged off the disappointment of relegation to come 3rd at Grenland in the 1st Division and 9th at SIDDIS in the 2nd late last year. ‘Purcell Variations’ is their choice to gain a quick return to the 2nd Division.
Decent form
Hasle Brass are another band with decent form behind them too, and although they only managed 10th last year they went on to come 7th in the 1st Division at Grenland and 4th in the same section at SIDDIS. They are another band that is pinning their hopes on James Curnow’s ‘Trittico’.
Hordvik Musikklag will be looking for a boost after their 12th place last year – although they came 4th at SIDDIS. They have chosen Stephen Bulla’s descriptive ‘Firestorm’.
Meanwhile, Agder Brass and Morten E Hansen could be a band to look out for as a bit of a dark horse. They gained promotion on the back of a solid showing last year under David Tellesfen, and this time they have opted for a real old Sally Army classic in ‘The Holy War’.
Good stead
Lindas Musikklag had a boost at SIDDIS where they came 5th, so that should see them in good stead as they look to improve on last year’s 9th place with their choice of ‘Trittico’, whilst the delightful players of Manger Old Stars enjoyed themselves in coming 6th, and this time have opted to run out another old Vinter classic in ‘Salute to Youth’.
Skui Brass will be looking for a boost after they dropped through the 2nd Division relegation trap door, and whilst they came 13th at SIDDIS, it was in the 1st Division. Henrik Dalhaug leads the band this time around on another Vinter classic, ‘Triumphant Rhapsody’.
Tougher
After winning the 4th Division in 2008, Torkangerpoll found life a little tougher in 2009, coming 11th, but they will be keen to improve on that under the great tuba star Eirik Gjerdevik and their own choice of ‘Renaissance’, whilst Trondheim Politis will be looking for a boost following their relegation as Peter Hatfield leads them on Dean Goffin’s ‘Rhapsody in Brass’.
As for a winner?
Could go anyway, but if Bjorsvik have put in a bit more practice than usual then we can’t see them being beaten. Age may weary, but class takes a bit more time to fade away.
As for the rest? Bergen and Gjesdal should be in with a real shout as should Hasle, Manger Old Stars and Lindas. Our dark horse is Agder Brass.
4BR Prediction:
1. Bjorsvik Brass
2. Bergen Brass
3. Gjesdal Brass
4. Hasle Brass
5. Manger Old Stars
6. Lindas Brass
Dark horse: Manger Old Stars
Bergen Brass Band
Conductor: Kim Lofthouse
2010 Draw: 9
Own Choice Selection: Purcell Variations
National Record:
2009: 7th (Bjorn Breistein)
2008: 4th (Trond Elnes)
2007: 13th in Second Division (Helge Haukas) (rel)
2006: 5th (Stian Svendsen)
2005: 3rd (Stian Svendsen)
2004: 5th (Stian Svendsen)
2003: 10th
2002: 14th in Second Division
2001: 2nd
2000: 7th
Last Year: 7th
Own Choice Selection:
2009: The Forest of Dean
2008: Variations on a Chord
2007: Diversions on a Bass Theme
2006: A London Overture
2005: The Land of the Long White Cloud
Bjorsvik Brass
Conductor: Russell Gray
2010 Draw: 11
Own Choice Selection: Partita
National Record:
2009: Winners of 4th Division (Russell Gray) (prom)
Overall Record:
Winners of 4th Division 2009
Last year: Winners of 4th Division (Russell Gray) (prom)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Journey into Freedom
Borge Brass Band
Conductor: Oddvar Nostdal
2010 Draw: 8
Own Choice Selection: A Salford Sinfonietta
National Record:
2009: 8th (Oddvar Nostdal)
2008: =8th (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
2007: =7th (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
2006: 13th in Second Division (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) (rel)
2005: Winners of Third Division (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
2004: =8th (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
Overall Record:
Winners of Third Division 2005
Last year: 8th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Variations on Maccabeus
2008: Laudate Dominum
2007: Connotations
2006: Partita – St. Theodulph
2005: The Present Age
Fjell Brass
Conductor: Svein Henrik Giske
2010 Draw: 1
Own Choice Selection: The Land of the Long White Cloud
National Record:
2009: 5th (Svein Henrik Giske)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Blazon
Flora-Bremanger Brass Band
Conductor: Johnny Saelemyr
2010 Draw: 6
Own Choice Selection: Kaleidoscope
National Record:
2009: 2nd in 4th Division (Johnny Saelemyr) (prom)
2008: =15th (Johnny Saelemyr)
Last Year: 2nd in 4th Division (Johnny Saelemyr) (prom)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Triptych
2008: Partita
Fræna Musikkorps
Conductor: Jens Kristian Mordal
2010 Draw: 15
Own Choice Selection: Trittico for Brass Band
National Record:
2009: 4th (Jens Kristian Mordal)
2008: =8th (Jens Kristian Mordal)
2007: =7th (Jens Kristian Mordal)
2006: 11th in Second Division (Jens Kristian Mordal) (rel)
2005: 11th (Jens Kristian Mordal)
2004: 6th (Jens Kristian Mordal)
2003: Winners Third Division (Jens Kristian Mordal) (prom)
2002: 9th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
Overall Record:
Winners of Third Division 2003
Last Year: 4th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: The Present Age
2008: Prillar –Guri – The Voice of the Valley
2007: Royal Parks
2006: Firestorm
2005: Oceans
Gjesdal Brass Band
Conductor: Jonas Skartveit Rogne
2010 Draw: 5
Own Choice Selection: Purcell Variations
National Record:
2009: 12th in 2nd Division (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) (rel)
2008: 10th (Jonas Skartveit Rogne)
2007: 8th (Reid Gilje)
2006: 2nd in Third Division (Christian Tenfjold) (prom)
2005: 8th (Russell Gray)
2004: 10th (Russell Gray)
Last Year: 12th in 2nd Division (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) (rel)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Blazon
2008: The Present Age
2007: Firestorm
2006: Festivity
2005: The Long Ships
Hasle Brass
Conductor: Robert Brekke Nilsen
2010 Draw: 14
Own Choice Selection: Trittico for Brass Band
National Record:
2009: 10th (Frode Amundsen)
2008: =8th (Michael Antrobus)
2007: 9th (Michael Antrobus)
2006: 5th (Michael Antrobus)
2005: 7th (Tarjei Gilbrant)
2004: 6th (Tarjei Gilbrant)
2003: 10th Second Division (rel)
2002: 5th in Third Division (prom)
2001: 8th
2000: 20th
Last Year: 10th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Kaleidoscope
2008: Firestorm
2007: John O’ Gaunt
2006: The Land of the Long White Cloud
2005: English Heritage
Hordvik Musikklag
Conductor: Knut Emil Mjøs
2010 Draw: 12
Own Choice Selection: Firestorm
National Record:
2009: 12th (Knut Emil Mjøs)
2008: 5th in Fourth Division (Knut Emil Mjøs) (prom)
2007: =8th (Knut Emil Mjøs)
2006: =6th (Knut Emil Mjøs)
Last Year: 12th
Own Choice Selection:
2009: Toccata Festiva
2008: Images for Brass
2007: Laudate Dominum
2006: Triptych for Brass Band - Philip Sparke
Agder Brass (Kristiansand Brass Band)
Conductor: Morten E. Hansen
2010 Draw: 4
Own Choice Selection: The Holy War
National Record:
2009: 3rd in 4th Division (David Tellefsen) (prom)
Last Year: 3rd in 4th Division (David Tellefsen) (prom)
Own Choice Selection:
2009: Princethorpe Variations
Lindås Brass (Austrheim- Lindås Musikklag)
Conductor: Helge Haukas
2010 Draw: 13
Own Choice Selection: Trittico for Brass Band
National Record:
2009: 9th (Hogne Holmås)
2008: 5th (Hogne Holmås)
2007: 4th (Hogne Holmås)
2006: 9th (Pål Magne Austnes)
2005: 5th (Age Torsvik)
2004: 7th (Age Torsvik)
2003: 9th in Second Division (rel)
2002: 8th
2001: 11th
2000: 12th
Last Year: 9th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Tallis Variations
2008: Kaleidoscope
2007: Royal Parks
2006: Rhapsody in Brass
2005: Firestorm
Manger Old Stars
Conductor: Johannes Mangersnes
2010 Draw: 3
Own Choice Selection: Salute to Youth
National Record:
2009: 6th (Johannes Mangersnes)
2008: 3rd in Fourth Division (Johannes Mangersnes) (prom)
2007: DNC
2006: DNC
2005: 2nd in Fourth Division
Last Year: 6th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Triumphant Rhapsody
2008: The Lord is King
Skui Brass Band
Conductor: Henrik Dalhaug
2010 Draw: 7
Own Choice Selection: Triumphant Rhapsody
National Record:
2009: 11th in 2nd Division (Philip Hannevik) (rel)
2008: 9th (Michael Antrobus)
2007: 3rd in Third Division (Henrik Dalhaug) (prom)
2006: 10th (Henrik Dalhaug)
2005: 12th (Trond Nilsen)
2004: 3rd in Fourth Division (Trond Nilsen) (prom)
2003: 3rd
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
Last Year: 11th in 2nd Division (Philip Hannevik) (rel)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Aspects of Praise
2008: Connotations
2007: Symphony of Marches
2006: Renaissance
2005: Partita - Postcards from Home
Torkangerpoll Musikklag
Conductor: Eirik Gjerdevik
2010 Draw: 2
Own Choice Selection: Renaissance
National Record:
2009: 11th (Eirik Gjerdevik)
2008: Winners of Fourth Division (Eirik Gjerdevik) (prom)
Overall record:
Won Fourth Division in 2008
Won Third Division in 1999
Last Year: 11th
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Music for a Festival
2008: Kaleidoscope
Trondheim Politis Brassband
Conductor: Peter Hatfield
2010 Draw: 10
Own Choice Selection: Rhapsody in Brass
National Record:
2009: 13th in 2nd Division (Peter Hatfield) (rel)
2008: 3rd in Third Division (Peter Hatfield) (prom)
2007: =10th (Odd Steinar Morkved)
2006: 12th in Second Division (Odd Steinar Morkved) (rel)
2005: =4th (Odd Steinar Morkved)
2004: 3rd (Odd Steinar Morkved)
2003: 5th
2002: 11th in First Division (rel)
2001: 7th in First Division
2000: Joint 5th in First Division
Last Year: 13th in 2nd Division (Peter Hatfield) (rel)
Own Choice Selections:
2009: Dances & Arias
2008: Resurgam
2007: Royal Parks
2006: Ballet for Band
2005: St Theodulph
2009 Result:
1. Tromsø Brass (Tor Kristian Innbjør) - 96
2. Frei Hornmusikk (Kim Lofthouse) - 93
3. Follesø Musikklag (Reid Gilje) - 92
4. Fræna Musikkorps (Jens Kristian Mordal) - 91
5. Fjell Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) - 90
6. Manger Old Star Brass (Johannes Mangersnes) - 89
7. Bergen Brass Band (Bjørn Breistein) - 88
8. Borge Brass Band (Oddvar Nøstdal) - 87
9. Lindås Brass (Hogne Holmås) - 86
10. Hasle Brass (Frode Amundsen) - 85
11. Torskangerpoll Musikklag (Eirik Gjerdevik) - 84
12. Hordvik Musikklag (Knut Emil Mjøs) - 83
13. Kjølsdalen Musikklag (Gerard Rooker) - 82
14. Grenland Brass (Sigurd Grøv Skramsett) - 81
15. Gjøvik Bybrass (Trond Elnes) - 80
Adjudicators: Karl Ole Midtbø, Jappie Dijkstra
