Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 18:32:58
Results: European Youth Brass Band Championships
Adjudicators:
Preben Norgaard Christensenr, Bruce Fraser, Les Neish
Premier Section:
Test Piece: Resurgam (Eric Ball) and Own Choice Programme
1. Liberty Brass Band Junior (91)
Christoph Luchsinger
2. Carnoustie & District Youth (90)
Michael Robertson
3. Northamptonshire County Youth (89)
Brad Turnball
Best Instrumentalist: Ross Knight (tuba) Carnoustie & District Youth
Development Section:
1. Manger Skulemusikklag (90)
Thorgeir Thunestveit
2. Dalmellington Junior (88)
Ian Taylor
3. Rochdale Borough Youth (87)
Steve Walsh
4. 1st Old Boys Youth Band (85)
Jacklin Bingham
5. Moray Concert Brass (83)
Glenn Munro
Best Instrumentalist: Best soloist: Ingvild Aagard-Nilsen Manger Skulemusikklag
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 16:50:10
That's it from the action at the European Youth Band contest and what a great event it's been.
So much to enjoy and commend about the performances on both sections - it was only a pity that we didn't have more bands from different countries to enjoy today.
We now have a concert from The Band of the King's Division conducted by Captain Justin Matthews before the announcement of the results in about 1 hour.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 16:13:08
3. Carnoustie & District Youth Band (Michael Robertson)
What a warm welcome from the audience for the 'home' band today - and they immediately show they are determined mood and form with a sparkling rendition of 'Enter the Galaxies' that really does fizz with high octane energy.
It's followed by a wonderfully relaxed and classy bit of tuba playing from Ross Knight with the second movement of Andy Scott's 'Salt of the Earth' Concerto. Smooooooooth......
A very impressive set is followed by a commanding 'Resurgam' which has that dark stamp of despair before resurrected fulfilment - it really does have that feel of meaningful understanding.
It's all rounded off with a big old tartan wrapped tin of Walter Scott shortbread musical haggis with 'Dundonnell' that would have Alex Salmond dancing a jig of joy down the aisle of Perth Concert Hall.
Its crafty, clever and very well played - and gets the partisan audience as damp in the old pork pies as a council flat in Peebles.
If you are going to round off a whole Scottish European Championship event in style then you can't do better than this. Bravo.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 15:40:52
2. Northampton Youth Brass Band (Bradley Turnbull)
There is a real show of ambition to open with Philip Wilby's inspiring 'Peel Park' top open.
Unfortunately this just seems to be a tad being their comfort zone - as despite a bravura effort, it is a little scrappy and inconsistent. You can't fault the drive, boldness and energy though which really brought the music to life.
'Resurgam' is so much better - played with breadth and warmth. There is a great deal of control on show with some fine individual contributions from around the stands. MD draws some lovely little moments out of the score - helped by some super lyrical playing from the band.
A bold and ambitious programme set is rounded off with cracking (literally) performance of the final 'Zeibekikos' Dance from the Wilby Euphonium Concerto, played with real Greek plate smashing aplomb by the talented Martyn Hoffman. Get the ouzo out in celebration matey. Great playing.
It rounds off a fine effort form a band showing real ambition today.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 15:08:49
1. Liberty Brass Band Junior (Christoph Luchsinger)
Well that was certainly a premier level piece of playing on Eric Ball's 'Resurgam' - performed with lyrical understanding and a mature appreciation of balance, dynamic and phrasing.
Old Eric Ball would have risen again like Lazarus to hear playing of this quality from a youth band. That rose from the dead quicker than the share price on the recent Post Office floatation.
It's followed by a spirited performance of 'Bluebells of Scotland' by a trombonist with raw talent to burn, before things are rounded off by the exotic sounds of Stephen Hodel's 'Vertex'.
We haven't heard this one for a few years now, but what a fine piece - and so well delivered too. It rounded off a fine set that just tired towards the end but did have a wonderful rendition of Resurgam at its musical core.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 14:59:56
What a great start to the day that was.
Five cracking bands at different stages of development, but all giving of their best - and their best was fabulous.
Now we have the three premier bands
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 14:19:14
5. Moray Concert Brass (Glenn Munro)
There is a wonderful welcome for the young players of Moray Concert Brass who hail from the top North East part of Scotland, and they show their mettle with a fine crack at the set work.
That is followed by Kyle Hart as an excellent lead on the 'Benedictus' from 'The Armed Man' by Karl Jenkins - delivered with youth aplomb.
They round off their set with Alan Fernie's 'Scottish Dances' which goes down so well with the supportive but ever so slightly partisan audience! A clever bit if programming that is played so well.
This has been a tremendous effort from a young band today - they really did themselves and the host nation proud.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 13:40:37
4. Rochdale Borough Youth Band (Steven Walsh)
You can immediately hear why this is one the best youth bands in the UK from the very first bars of 'Prelude on Tallis' which has a real stamp of authority.
The MD works hard to draw out the music in all the little nooks and crannys here and it works so well. What a confident band this is - and they make one heck of a fine sound.
That's followed by a lovely bit of cornet playing from Sarah Holland on Peter Meechan's 'Apex' which also has that thumbprint of understanding and musicality. Bravo.
The clever choreography and suave musicality of 'Encontro Mercato' is a neat contrast too - inventive and so well delivered.
What a splendid way to round things off as well with fizzing 'Malaquena' that really does have a real Latin swagger!
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 13:16:36
3. Manger Skulemusikklag (Thorgeir Thunstveit)
What a fine start for a serious looking young Norwegian band that draws its players from just 150 pupils at a single school in the Hordaland area near Bergen.
Don't quite know how to spell this one - but we find out its 'Kjuagutter Og Raevediltere' which is all about the wannabe drummer of a local band - but what a bold, colourful and very precise start.
This is quality stuff played with firm direction and purpose.
The euphonium solo 'Peace' to follow is a high class playing too - both from the soloist, Ingvild Aagaard-Nilsen, and the band who accompany with delicacy and warmth.
To round things off we have a real bravura performance of the Malcolm Arnold set work - with a fine opening section leading into lyrical 'Siciliano' and a cracking close that had such drive and passion.
It comes to an end with a rousing bit of Norwegian folk music with the solo lines are brilliantly played - from xylophone down and with a neat as a napkin ending.
What an impressive band so well led by their MD.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 12:38:05
2. Dalmellington Youth Band (Ian Taylor)
What a thumping start! It's all Bez and the Happy Mondays as we go 'Pound the Streets' - that really hits its drive and beat.
Great energy and commitment for everyone on show here - led by the all action MD, who is a veritable ball of wizz.
There is plenty more quality to follow with the old Scottish favourite 'Sandy & Jock' with a dapper pair of soloists as the lead, whilst the set by work is played with a startling bit of maturity - especially the central 'Siciliano'.
It's all rounded off with a swagger of Richard Evans proportions with 'The New Colonial' - which has the pomp of the Highland Troops marching into battle about it. Brill!
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 12:18:16
1. 1st Old Boys Youth Band (Jacklin Bingham)
And we have got off to a great start with the band from Northern Ireland. There are 38 young players on stage - some knee high to baritone let along a tuba.
What a great sound they make too - from the opening set test 'Little Suite for Brass' by Malcolm Arnold to the bumper march 'Blaze Away'.
A great version of 'Black and White Rag' follows led by a great xylophone player. All old images of 'Pot Black' come flooding back with Winifred Atwell at the old Joanna!
'Londonderry Air' is a lovely bit of contrast before its all fun and games with 'African Funk' to close a great programme so well played.
This was great stuff - so vibrant, enthusiastic and interactive too. The audience loved it, and it deserved all the applause.
What a great way to start off the day.
Youth Contest • Sunday 4, 10:21:40
We are back at the hall this morning to enjoy the European Youth Championships which kick off at 12 noon.
We will bring you a taste of the action and our little interviews with players and conductors throughout the day.
At the moment Eikanger Bjorsvik and the European Youth Band are giving a concert in the main hall.
Youth Contest • Thursday 1, 12:41:02
Sunday 4th May
10.00: Perth Concert Hall
European Youth Day Morning Concert with Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag band and 2014 European Youth Brass Band.
12.00: Perth Concert Hall
European Youth Brass Band Contest
