Black Dyke
England
Formed: 1855
Conductor: Dr. Nicholas Childs
4BR Ranking: 3
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Marshall
Principal Euphonium: Gary Curtin
Principal Trombone: Brett Baker
Soprano: Paul Duffy
Flugel: Zoe Hancock
Horn: Sheona White
Baritone: Katrina Marzella
Eb Tuba: Joseph Cook
Bb Tuba: Matt Routley
Percussion: Andrea Price
European Appearances: 21st time
1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
1978: Winners – N/K
1979: Winners - 1st/1st
1980: 2nd overall - 3rd/1st
1982: Winners - 1st/1st
1983: Winners - 1st/1st
1984: Winners - 1st/1st
1985: Winners - 2nd/4th
1986: 2nd overall - 2nd/1st
1987: Winners - 1st/3rd
1988: 2nd - 2nd/1st
1990: Winners - 1st/1st
1991: Winners - 2nd/2nd
1992: 2nd overall - 3rd/3rd
1995: Winners - 1st/3rd
1996: 2nd overall - 2nd/1st
2002: 3rd overall - 3rd/2nd
2005: Winners - 1st/1st
2006: 4th overall – 5th/4th
2010: 4th overall – 5th/4th
2012: Winners – 1st/3rd
The performances from 1978 to 1988 were conducted by Peter Parkes. David King directed in 1990 and 1991, whilst James Watson took the helm between 1992 and 1996.
Nicholas Childs made his first appearance with the band in 2002 and has now won the title twice with the band.
Own choice works used:
1978: Connotations
1979: John O'Gaunt
1980: Journey Into Freedom
1982: Pageantry
1983: Epic Symphony
1984: Blitz
1985: Volcano
1986: Contest Music
1987: Contest Music
1988: Cloudcatcher Fells
1990: Harmony Music
1991: Diversions on a Bass Theme
1992: Odin
1995: Variations on an Enigma
1996: Revelation
2002: Revelation
2005: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
2006: Extreme Makeover
2010: Red Priest
2012: Revelation
Best Performance: 12 time winners
1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2005, 2012
Last Year: Winners
Conductor:
Dr. Nicholas Childs has achieved the highest international reputation as a performer, teacher/clinician, conductor, interpreter and advocate of new music, and producer of recordings.
Initial success came as a euphonium soloist, performing in many of the world's most famous concert halls with the most prestigious bands and orchestras.
In recent years he has premiered with Black Dyke Band new works by leading British composers.
In 2000 he directed Foden’s in the premiere of ‘Trumpets of the Angels’ and followed this with the RNCM Brass Band's first presentation of ‘Danceries’.
He has pursued a series of pace-setting recordings of new music, including releases of Michael Ball, Arthur Butterworth, Peter Graham and Wilfred Heaton.
With Black Dyke Band as Band-in-Residence at the RNCM, he has been able to promote several BBC Radio 3 broadcasts.
Having first been trained in the Tredegar Junior Band, he continues to give important emphasis to the development of the brass band movement.
He has served as the director of The NYBB of Great Britain, Denmark, and has gained national championships in France, Norway, Wales and Scotland and the UK.
Cory
Wales
Formed: 1884
Conductor: Philip Harper
4BR Ranking: 1
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tom Hutchinson
Principal Euphonium: Matthew White
Principal Trombone: Christopher Thomas
Soprano: Steve Stewart
Flugel: Joanne Childs
Horn: Owen Farr
Baritone: Steven Kane
Eb Tuba: Simon Howell
Bb Tuba: Fraser Bish
Percussion: Alun Horgan
European Appearances: 24th time
1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/ own choice)
1979: 2nd overall – 3rd/3rd
1980: Winners – 1st/2nd
1981: 6th overall – N/K
1982: 2nd overall – 3rd/2nd
1983: 3rd overall – 7th/2nd
1984: 2nd overall – 3rd/2nd
1985: 2nd overall – 4th/1st
1986: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
1987: 8th overall – 8th/7th
1989: 3rd overall – 1st/4th
1993: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
1999: 5th overall – 5th/4th
2001: 2nd overall – 1st/3rd
2003: 2nd overall – 2nd/1st
2004: 6th overall – 6th/7th
2005: 2nd overall – 2nd/3rd
2006: 3rd overall – 3rd/1st
2007: 3rd overall – 1st/5th
2008: Winners – 1st/3rd
2009: Winners – 1st/1st
2010: Winners – 1st/1st
2011: 2nd overall – 5th/1st
2012: 5th overall – 2nd/7th
Denzil Stephens directed the band between 1979 and 1981. Major Arthur Kenney directed from 1982 to 1987. Brian Howard took them in 1989, Michael Antrobus in 1993 and Jeremy Wise in 1999.
Since 2001 the band was directed by Dr. Robert Childs, with Philip Harper making his debut in 2013.
Own Choice works used:
1979: Judges of the Secret Court
1980: Triumphant Rhapsody
1981: Connotations
1982: Fireworks
1983: Variations on a Ninth
1984: Contest Music
1985: Dances and Arias
1986: Ballet for Band
1987: Dances and Arias
1989: Diversions on a Bass Theme
1993: Harmony Music
1999: Of Men and Mountains
2001: Harrison's Dream
2003: Revelation
2004: Revelation
2005: Concerto Grosso
2006: The Promised Land
2007: Of Men and Mountains
2008: Music for Battle Creek
2009: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
2010: A Tale as Yet Untold
2011: From Ancient Times
2012: Spiriti
Best Performance: 4 time winners
1980, 2008, 2009, 2010
Last Year: 5th
Conductor:
Philip Harper was appointed MD of the Cory Band in May 2012. With Tongwynlais Temperance and Flowers he achieved unprecedented contest success, as well as winning acclaim for his entertaining concert performances.
He is Editor of Brass Band World magazine and Music Editor of Wright & Round publishing company and in demand as a freelance conductor, educator and adjudicator with brass bands of all levels.
Philip is also a prolific composer, and his original works and arrangements have been used extensively all over the banding world including the National Championships of Great Britain.
Philip graduated from the University of Bristol, taking a Masters Degree in Composition and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.
He had a successful performing career and was the principal horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the Sun Life Band, as well as winning through to the Brass Final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1991.
Lyngby Taarbaek
Denmark
Formed: 1989
Conductor: Selmer Simonsen
4BR Ranking: 57
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dennis Aaberg Andersen
Principal Euphonium: Michael Thomsen
Principal Trombone: Mette Fiigaard Schneefeldt
Soprano: Lars Haedersdal
Flugel: Nete Aaberg Andersen
Horn: Lisbeth Haedersdal
Baritone: Bo Bollman
Eb Tuba: Chris Hardy
Bb Tuba: Peter Hansen
Percussion: Mikkel Vangkilde
European Appearances: 12th time
1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/ own choice)
1997: 9th overall - 8th/10th
1998: 11th overall – 11th/10th
2003: 9th overall – 9th/9th
2004: 5th overall – 4th/8th
2005: 7th overall – 4th/9th
2006: 10th overall – 10th/10th
2007: 7th overall – 7th/7th
2008: 7th overall – 4th/8th
2009: 9th overall – 6th/11th
2011: 9th overall – 8th/8th
2012: 11th overall – 10th/10th
The performances of 1997, 1998 and 2003 were directed by Jesper Juul Sorensen. Ray Farr conducted the band from 2004 to 2006.
Christian Schmiedescamp directed from 2007 to 2009. Selmer Simonsen has taken the band at the contest since 2011.
Own Choice works used:
1997: An Epic Symphony
1998: Fantasy for Brass Band
2003: Montage
2004: …Dove Descending
2005: St. Magnus
2006: Music of the Spheres
2007: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
2008: Apocalypse
2009: Harmony Music
2011: A Tale As Yet Untold
2012: Vienna Nights
Best Performance: 5th place in 2004
Last Year: 11th
Conductor:
Selmer Simonsen was born in Karmøy in Norway and from a young age became interested in music.
Aged 13 he joined the Kopervik Band as a cornet player under the direction of his father Svein Birger Simonsen who was the Corps' director.
After four years of study at the University of Trondheim, where Selmer played for Ila Brass Band, he decided to study in London to supplement the education with knowledge of the Salvation Army Brass Band scene.
This would prove to be both a year of great personal development and in addition would change his future ambitions.
The following year he began conducting studies at the University of Salford as a pupil of Dr. Roy Newsome and David King.
In January 2000, two and a half years after he passed his Masters degree in conducting, he embarked upon a highly successful freelance conducting career which has seen him direct many leading bands in both the UK and at home and win a number of domestic titles.
He made his debut as a conductor at the European Championships in 2011.
Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Norway
Formed: 1959
Conductor: Professor David King
4BR Ranking: 12
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Henning Anundsen
Principal Euphonium: Patrik Randefalk
Principal Trombone: Greta Tonheim
Soprano: Torstein Holmas
Flugel: Gyda Matland
Horn: Monica Vobe Reigstad
Baritone: Nina Mjanger Eide
Eb Tuba: Magnus Brandseth
Bb Tuba: Fredrik Berentsen
Percussion: Svein Fjermestad
European Appearances: 18th time
1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
1980: 7th overall - 7th/6th
1981: 5th overall - n/k
1982: 7th overall - 5th/8th
1984: 13th overall - 10th/11th
1985: 6th overall - 5th/11th
1987: 6th overall - 6th/5th
1988: Winners - 1st/1st
1989: Winners - 2nd/1st
1990: 6th overall - 8th/2nd
1992: 3rd overall - 2nd/8th
1994: 2nd overall - 1st/3rd
2000: 2nd overall - 3rd/1st
2002: 4th overall - 4th/4th
2006: 7th overall – 7th/7th
2009: 3rd overall – 2nd/6th
2010: 2nd overall – 2nd/2nd
2012: 4th overall – 3rd/6th
Rod Franks conducted on their inaugural appearance in 1980. Helge Haukas conducted in 1981, 1982 and 1987. Tom Brevik conducted in 1984 and 1985. Ray Farr conducted in 1992. Howard Snell directed in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2000 and 2002.
Bjorn Sagstad directed in 2006 and Bjarte Engeset conducted in 2009. David King has led the band since 2010.
Own choice works used:
1980: John O'Gaunt
1981: The Plantagenets
1982: Triumphant Rhapsody
1984: Epic Symphony
1985: Blitz
1987: Pageantry
1988: Variations on an Enigma
1989: Variations on an Enigma
1990: Partita
1992: Trittico
1994: Year of the Dragon
2000: Concerto Grosso
2002: …Dove Descending
2006: Riff and Interludes
2009: Extreme Makeover
2010: Concerto Grosso
2012: From Ancient Times
Best Performance: Twice winners
1988, 1989
Last Year: 4th
Conductor:
David King is regarded as one of the most dynamic figures in the world of brass today, with an enviable record of musical accomplishments and successes both as an instrumentalist and conductor.
He studied Trumpet and Cornet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and music education at Avondale College.
In 1982 as Australian cornet champion he was awarded a scholarship to study band musicianship at Salford College, where he graduated with distinction in Performance in 1985.
In Britain David King pursued a distinguished career as a cornet soloist and was 'North of England Solo Champion' on three occasions.
He represented the United Kingdom as 'British Open Solo Champion' and won the prestigious title 'International Brass Musician of the Year' in New Zealand in 1992.
In 2000 David King graduated from the Institute for Social Research, University of Salford, with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree majoring in Performance and has since been awarded his professorship.
As a conductor Dr David King is revered as one of the most successful conductors on the concert and contest platform in the last decade.
He won the European title ten times, twice with Black Dyke Mills Band and eight times with Yorkshire Building Society Band.
Brass Band Oberoesterreich
Austria
Formed: 2002
Conductor: Hans Gansch
4BR Ranking: 51
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Manfred Jager
Principal Euphonium: Harald Buchner
Principal Trombone: Raphael Strasser
Soprano: Christian Hollensteiner
Flugel: Florian Brunmayr
Horn: Thomas Beiganz
Baritone: Franz Wachlmayr
Eb Tuba: Walter Baldinger
Bb Tuba: Andreas Trausner
Percussion: Markus Ridderbusch
European Appearances: 9th time (5th time in Championship Section)
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2004: 4th place in B Section
Set work – ‘Airs and Dances’ plus own choice selections
2005: Winners of B Section
Set work – ‘Match – Rhythm’ plus own choice selections
2006: Winners of B Section
Set work – ‘Little Christmas' plus own choice selections
2007: 5th overall – 4th/9th
2008: 10th overall – 8th/10th
2009: 6th overall – 3rd/7th
2010: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
2012: 10th overall – 9th/11th
All performances were directed by Hannes Buchegger to 2012. Hans Gansch took over the baton in 2013.
Own Choice works used:
2007: Titan’s Progress
2008: Dreams
2009: Spirits of Puccini
2010: From Ancient Times
2012: Within Blue Empires
Best Performance: 3rd in 2010
Last Year: 10th
Conductor:
Regarded as one of the world’s finest orchestral trumpet players, Hans Gansch first took music lessons at the age of 7 under the direction of his father, who continued to teach him until the age of 19.
During military service he undertook musical studies at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz with Prof. Franz Veigl and on graduating became the First Trumpet at the Bruckner Orchestra in Linz, before moving to become the lead trumpet with the ORF Symphony Orchestra, the State Opera Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Since 1996 he has been Professor of Trumpet at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg and in 1995 won the German Record ‘Critic’s Award’ for his recording of the CD ‘Trumpet Concertos’.
He continues to perform with the renowned Austrian Brass Connection, Ensemble ‘Pro Brass’ as well as giving solo recitals and masterclasses at home and abroad.
Brass Band Schoonhoven
The Netherlands
Formed: 1921
Conductor: Erik Janssen
4BR Ranking: 22
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dennis Vork
Principal Euphonium: Robbert Vos
Principal Trombone: Frank Kramer
Soprano: Wouter Zuidam
Flugel: Clenn Keizer
Horn: Hanneke van Mourik
Baritone: Harry Spruyt
Eb Tuba: Joop van Dijk
Bb Tuba: Hans de Wilde
Percussion: Xander van der Ploeg
European Appearances: 3rd time
2011, 2012, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2011: 4th overall – 3rd/5th
2012: 3rd overall – 6th/1st
Own choice works used:
2011: Music of the Spheres
2012: Audivi Media Nocte
Best Performance: 3rd in 2012
Last Year: 3rd
Conductor:
Erik Janssen was born in 1966 and became the Musical Director of the band in 2000.
He studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, where he was taught by Peter Masseurs and Danny Oosterman and gained a Doctorate in the Trumpet.
He has also been associated with Brass Band Schoonhoven, Noordholland Concert Brass and Zaandijks Fanfare Corps and has performed with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, National Jeugdorkest, Netherlands Studenten Orchestra, Amsterdam Wind Orchestra as well as a selection of diverse musical groups and Big Bands.
Windcorp Brass Band
Sweden
Formed: 2005
Conductor: Alexander Hanson
4BR Ranking: 65
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: David Glanneskog
Principal Euphonium: Anders Lundin
Principal Trombone: Henrik Glanneskog
Soprano: Par Ivarsson
Flugel: Martin Isaksson
Horn: Matthias Wallin
Baritone: Lars Dahlman
Eb Tuba: Kristian Karlstedt
Bb Tuba: Jorgen Advall
Percussion: Sofia Gustafsson
European Appearances: 2nd time
2011, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2011: 8th overall – 7th/9th
Own choice works used:
2011: Rococo Variations
Best Performance: 8th in 2011
Last Year: Did not compete
Conductor:
Alexander Hanson started his professional musical career as a trumpet player and was educated at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. He took interest in conducting and began his education at the Royal Academy of Music in
Stockholm, but soon transferred to the famous Sibelius Academy in Helsinki where he studied under Professor Leif Segerstam.
Also taught by Jorma Panula and Atso Almila, he concluded his education in 2004 by performing among other items Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’ with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra.
Today he works frequently with ensembles like the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Opera Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Opera Orchestra,
His opera engagements have also included several productions, such as Mozart’s 'Cose fan tutte’, Rossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’ and Donizetti’s ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’.
From 2005 he has held the position as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Goteborg Wind Orchestra.
Brass Band Buizingen
Belgium
Formed: 1975
Conductor: Luc Vertommen
4BR Ranking: 32
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Harmen Vanhoorne
Principal Euphonium: Glenn Van Looy
Principal Trombone: Hans Goris
Soprano: Win Stas
Flugel: Sebastien Rousseau
Horn: Nico Claus
Baritone: Piet Callens
Eb Tuba: Jeroen Verleden
Bb Tuba: Brent Luyckx
Percussion: Jeroen Hofmans
European Appearances: 3rd time
2008, 2010, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2008: 6th overall – 6th/4th
2010: 5th overall – 4th/5th
Own Choice works used:
2008: Concerto Grosso
2010: Earthrise
Best Performance: 5th in 2010
Last Year: Did not qualify
The band has been conducted on all its appearances by Luc Vertommen.
Conductor:
Luc Vertommen was born in Leest near Mechelen, Belgium and from an early age, he acquainted himself with brass music in his village fanfare band.
He studied cornet, music theory and piano at the music academies of Mechelen and Willebroek and later studied at the Lemmens Institute Conservatory, where he gained a triple degree in trumpet, music history and ‘hafabra’ conducting (wind, fanfare and brass band).
He later studied chamber music at the Royal Music Conservatory of Brussels gaining a masters degree in conducting.
As a cornet player, he played for Belgium's top bands of Brass Band Midden-Brabant and Brass Band Willebroek.
He currently teaches and conducts in the communal music academy of Zaventem and is director ‘hafabra’ in the ‘Servais Academy’ in Halle. He currently conducts Koninklijke Fanfare ‘De Berthoutzonen’ Halaar and Brass Band Buizingen.
He has already written two books about brass music and recently his arrangements for fanfare and brass band have proven to be very popular in the Low Countries and further abroad.
Brass Band Fribourg
Switzerland
Formed: N/K
Conductor: Frederic Theodoloz
4BR Ranking: 74
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Fabien Barres
Principal Euphonium: Cyril PerrenoudPrincipal Trombone: Frederic Prelaz
Soprano: Dominique Morel
Flugel: Thomas Delamorclaz
Horn: Marc Morandi
Baritone: Regis Gobet
Eb Tuba: Auriane Michel
Bb Tuba: Matthieu Ding
Percussion: Lukas Oberholzer
European Appearances: 4th time
2003, 2006, 2008, 2013
European Record:
2003: 6th overall – 5th/7th
2006: 2nd overall – 2nd/2nd
2008: 4th overall – 3rd/7th
Own Choice works used:
2003: Revelation
2006: Music of the Spheres
2008: Vienna Nights
Best Performance: 2nd in 2006
Last Year: Did not qualify
The band was conducted on its three previous appearances by Arsene Duc. Frederic Theodoloz conducts at the contest for the first time this year.
Conductor:
Théodoloz Frederick began studying trombone at the age of 11 in the ranks of his village band.
He soon distinguished himself in national competitions and became Swiss Junior and Youth Solo Champion.
In 1993, he joined the Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique in Geneva and forged a strong background as a musician performing with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and the Chamber Orchestra Geneva amongst others.
He is a visiting Professor of Music at the University of Natal in South Africa and was appointed bass trombone in the Symphony Orchestra of the Valle d'Aosta in 2004 and the Symphony Orchestra of the Jura in 2008.
Since 2012 he has been the Director of Brass Band Fribourg.
Leyland Band
England
Formed: 1946
Conductor: Michael Bach
4BR Ranking: 6
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Iain Culross
Principal Euphonium: James McLeod
Principal Trombone: Danny Brooks
Soprano: John Doyle
Flugel: Romana Hallstead
Horn: Rebecca Landon
Baritone: Hannah Platt
Eb Tuba: Chris Doran
Bb Tuba: Bill Carter
Percussion: Ben Thomas
European Appearances: 2nd time
2006, 2013
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2006: 6th overall – 6th/5th
Own choice works used:
2006: Eden
Best Performance: 6th in 2006
Last Year: Did not qualify
The band was conducted by Russell Gray on its debut appearance in 2006, with Michael Bach conducting in 2013.
Conductor:
After winning first prize at the Swiss Conductors Competition in 2006 and studying conducting at the Hochschule der Künste of Bern with Ludwig Wicki, Oliver Waespi and Thomas Rüedi, Michael Bach has developed a very successful career as a band conductor in Switzerland and abroad.
Besides several successes with Brass Band Bürgermusik Lucerne, he led Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia to three first prizes in the First Section of the Swiss National Brass Band Championships and to win the B-Section at the European Brass Band Championships in 2011.
Michael also enjoys a very busy freelance conducting career with a variety of ensembles, such as the Orchestra degli Amici and the Orchestra d’Harmonie de Fribourg, as well as guest conductor appearances with the National Youth Brass and Wind Bands of Switzerland.
He was worked extensively with conductors such as Timothy Reynish, Baldur Brönnimann and Alex Schillings.
In 2011, he made his British debut conducting Hepworth at the British Open and Whitburn at the National Finals. He was appointed Professional Conductor of the Leyland Band in 2012.
Paris Brass Band
France
Formed: 2008
Conductor: Florent Didier
4BR Ranking: 50
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Alexis Demailly
Principal Euphonium: Bastien Baumet
Principal Trombone: Amelie Caron
Soprano: Ludovic Grillon
Flugel: David Riva
Horn: Cedric Rossero
Baritone: Helene Escriva
Eb Tuba: Emilien Courait
Bb Tuba: Yoann Kowalski
Percussion: Yohan Leleu
European Appearances: Debut
European Record: (set work/own choice)
Own choice works used: N/A
Best Performance: N/A
Last Year: Did not qualify
