Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 16:18:05
Results:
Premier Section:
Test Piece: Arcana (Kevin Houben) & Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators:
Garry Cutt, Riekes van der Velde
1. Young Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet) - 98pts
2. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) - 95pts
3. Liberty Brass Band (Christoph Luchsinger) - 93pts
4. Brass Band Berner Oberland Junior (Jan Muller) - 92pts
Instrumentalist: Lode Violet (Young Brass Band Willebroek) - cornet
Development Section:
Test Piece: Patterns (Edward Gregson) & Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators:
Garry Cutt, Riekes van der Velde
1. Wardle Academy Youth (Sean Conway) - 90pts
2. Bavarian Youth Brass Band (Benjamin Markl) - 89pts
3. Manger Skulemusikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt) - 88pts
4. Soreide og Sandsli Skolekorps (Thor-Arne Pedersen) 87pts
5. Brass Band Aukstyn (Remigijus Vilys) - 86pts
6. West Lothian Schools Brass Band (Anne Crookston) - 85pts
Instrumentalist: Indre Jonaityte (Brass Band Aukstyn) - cornet
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 14:01:23
4. Brass Band Berner Oberland Junior (Jan Muller)
The second Swiss band today are half the size of the last band, but what a reception they get from a hall that has now filled up considerably.
From looking rather sheepish at the start they soon become inspired - with the test piece really coming to life.
What great sounds from the ensemble and the cornets and euphs soon take charge - leading from the front. The percussion section have upped the volume and its really effective - adding depth of colour, texture and effect.
Some noticeable slips but this is packed with emotion and sounds passionate. Lovely horn sounds and a great close. That was such an enjoyable performance.
Despite the limited numbers compared to previous bands they make a cracking sound!
The euph solo 'Pantomime' next, and despite a nervous start for the euph soloist he has a beautiful, rich tone and soon settles into things.
The band back off dynamically and its very well controlled, letting the euph lead in comfort. Fantastic stuff. A real top notch effort from the soloist on a very hard solo.
To finish the day we 'Traversada' by Oliver Waespi. Once they re-organise the percussion (some of the audience are getting impatient) the first entry wasn't together and it takes time to settle.
Cornet solo is confident, accompanied by the trombone section, and the balance is spot on. Technically this is quite a difficult piece but the band are precise and snappy.
What a sound again - it's great to hear - from fat born sounds to dark tuba tones.
This is some of the best playing we have heard today - and bravo to the MD - who all he has to do is keep everything together. He must have worked so hard with his players to get this to this level.
What a great piece - and what a fine performance to round off such a high class contest.
Josh Hughes
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 14:01:02
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
As Youth Brass 2000 set up the percussion more people enter hall. Perhaps they know this could be a good one - but where have they been all day.
The English are the youngest looking band we have had so far today and are led by a very professional looking MD in Chris Jeans with snooker ref bow tie/black jacket combo. All that is missing is the white gloves.
The Deo Gloria is a great start with the percussion keeping the tempo ticking. A short number but very well played by the ensemble - and the dynamic contrast was superb!
Thomas Fountain steps up to play ‘Idyll on an Irish Hymn’ - the third cornet solo we have had today - all of which have been high class.
This solo is possibly the easiest technically, but the hardest to make come off musically. What a wonderful sound he has - a tone that is as smooth as silk.
The ensemble is so warm and rich to showcase a beautiful piece played with so much emotion and shape. Last chord takes a while to settle - but well done to the main young man - you did the England (and Ireland) proud there.
Onto the set test piece - and the solo trombone decides to stand at the front to play her solo. We could maybe take more basses to balance the beginning, but this is good.
Again the solo cornet shines - what a star! Percussion moves us on and the energy is building by the second. The slower section is tastefully played by everyone and the MD has worked hard on this section.
Muted trombones have a few tuning issues but it doesn’t effect the musical picture too much. A great reading by MD this , although the banzai sop at the end just about gets away with it - careful though!
'Three Miniatures' gets of to such an impressive start. Solo cornet and horn gel perfectly and there is some great solo playing on show. Cornets are razor sharp - precise stuff with so much detail coming through. Impressive piece thus and directed with true leadership and understanding.
'Valero' to finish seems a bit lightweight, but the choreography looks fantastic - although it can’t be comfy for the basses though! The percussion do a good job of keeping the band together as there is no MD. Bravo one and all.
The sound of this band is different to anything we have heard today - a typical darker British sound.
Lots to enjoy, but not sure they have done enough today to take the title.
Josh Hughes
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 13:19:15
2. Liberty Brass Band (Christoph Luchsinger)
Defending champions Liberty Brass Band Junior take to the stage with their orange teddy bear mascot - aahhhhhh...
The enthusiasm of the supporters in the hall is warming up now as the band fixes its eyes on their MD Christoph Luchsinger.
They open up with the set test piece - the atmosphere builds and the humming is perfectly balanced. They have made this music jump off the page.
Solo trombone does a fantastic job on the early feature—such quality on show here. The dynamics are controlled, and despite a few slips from the solo cornet it doesn’t change the atmosphere.
Special mention to the young timp player who does a great job of driving the band forward - what a star. A very animated MD is also full of energy but the precision is top class.
The middle section is so warm and rich - beautiful and the crescendos are perfectly built and timed to a very classy ending.
The quality of this performance is amazing - and could have challenged some of the bands we heard yesterday. Bravo!
Jan Kressebuch steps up to play 'Concert Etude' and the ensemble playing is where the band complement the soloist best - it's razor sharp. What a fine cornet soloist - precise, compact, refined. That was playing out of the top drawer.
They finish with Peter Grahams ‘Prisms'. A very loud start is maybe a little on the harsh side but the musicality comes through in the playing.
The quiet playing is simply stunning. Outstanding solo lines - and there is little to find fault with here.
All we can do is sit back and enjoy it. We didn’t think it could get much better but this Swiss has certainly raised the bar higher!
Josh Hughes
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 12:53:56
Premier Section:
1. Young Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet)
Young Brass Band Willebroek take to the stage.
They start with Faravista - and what an impressive start from the Belgium band, with outstanding soloists: Bravo! Stylish ending and controlled dynamics. What a start to the Premier Section this has been.
The performance of 'Zelda' starts with real style. This is tasteful high quality stuff played with real tenderness and fine backing by the ensemble.
Fantastic to see the soloist has no music - he has taken the time and effort to play this piece by memory and it shows. What a player - his Dad smiles with pride as he finishes with a real flourish.
‘Arcana’ is played with such precision and confidence, and the musical picture is painted superbly by the MD - you can literally hear every brush stroke.
The rhythmic discipline by the basses and percussion is great - this is lovely playing - mature and cultured - and what an ending! A very experienced looking band has set a high marker on this piece.
Their last piece today is 'Lock horns/Rage On’ - the funk cross over from Simon Dobson.
More quality; not an easy piece but the conductor knows what he wants to achieve and he is pulling it out of the score. His band simply follows his lead and delivers in spades.
Rich sounds from the ensemble and what a percussion section.
As a marker you suspect this will take some beating....
Josh Hughes
Frans Violet with his two sons competing with Young Brass Band Willebroek
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 12:20:00
6. Brass Band Aukstyn (Remigijus Vilys)
The young Lithuanian players take to the stage and soon show their quality - all based on a small, compact, ensemble sound that has real refinement.
Some tuning issues in the opening 'Concerto D'Amore' - but the 'Euro pop' back beat doesn't overwhelm as the band play with stylish control. The MD knows just what his players can and cannot do - and this choice suited their needs and aspirations to a tee.
The performance of Indre Jonaityte on cornet on Arban's fearsome 'Brilliant Fantasy' is a little corker - such a pure cornet sound allied to clean technique. A star playing in the making here you feel. That was playing to be a proud off.
The Lithuanian's round off their set with a determined performance of the set work - played once again with that compact ensemble sound and refined control - all emanating from the MD.
A high class band in the naming here - watch out for these young players in the future. They will be stars.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 11:48:29
5. Soreide og Sandsli Skolekorps (Thor-Arne Pedersen)
The second of the Norwegians start off with a rousing, if ever so slightly pacy, 'Castell Coch' - played with spirit and a fair bit of Welsh dragon passion.
It didn't need the repeat treatment and the pull back at the end would have had old TJ Powell spitting his Ich Dien feathers but a splendid effort nonetheless.
We have been given a delightful treat by young Kristine Uthaug on bass trombone with 'Rainy Day in Rio' though - what a cultured, elegant sound from someone so young. Pin point technique. Plenty of time to develop the huge bass trom honk for years to come, but that was lovely stuff indeed.
More quality - this time from the ensemble in 'Underlige Aftenlufte' - a sublime piece of Nordic musicality, delivered with a fine appreciation of its simple needs. Tenderly shaped that.
It's all rounded off by a bold account of the set work - just a little tired in plaxes, but still with an easy understanding of its rhythmic complexities.
A fine young band in the naming here led by an MD with such a clear understanding of their needs.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 11:05:29
4. Manger Skulemusikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt)
What a great start - although not too sure about the communal back stage scream and the fleeing percussionist off the stage!
It all come good though with the splendidly choreographed and played 'Blackbird Special' - honking along like New air leans carnival - full of pulsating colur and life.
The contrast of 'Hoe Down' is so well done too - played with a dusty prairie sense of adventure and dislocated spur clicking rhythmic drive. Special mention to the young girl on bass trom - what a sound. That would wake the whales in the nearest fjord from their slumber!
The tastefully played cornet solo 'Pastorale' featuring Eirin Ottesen is another neat contrast. Just the one little blip, but so what - it was played with real tenderness and fine backing by the ensemble.
'Patterns' is played with a maturity way beyond these young players years - and so well directed by the MD. There is such precision, rhythmic clarity and confidence about the approach - this musical language comes so easily to them
It's rounded off by a thumping, 'Can You Dig it?' From the Ironman movie - played with such pulse that Robert Downie Nr could wear a suit out of it. brill.
A league apart this - such a fine school band (and all from just the one school) led by such a charismatic MD.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 10:38:17
3. West Lothian Schools Brass Band (Anne Crookston)
It's the Scots up next and they really hit the audience between the eyes with the foot tapper that is Birdland. It's played with drive and energy - and a great bit of authentic 70s funk too. Splendid.
Next up, young Rob Calder with 'Grandfather's Clock' - and what a great start with the chimes and ticking of a hundred clocks and triangles as the intro. The talented baritone timekeeper soloist is on Swiss Omega watch form too - bravo.
It was also great to see and hear the youngsters from Wardle sat in the front rows applauding each variation as it was played by their rivals. Extra portions of McDonalds for such great sporting behaviour.
The test piece just felt a bit uncomfortable at times, but it was a bold effort, but what a nice contrast with 'The Water is Wide' with added cornets on each verse.
The MD is smiling and offering her encouragement to her players (special mention to the two lads on tuba - what Trojans!)
It's a touch of Elvis to close with 'American Trilogy' - complete with choreography. All that was missing was the rhinestone suits and the sound of the King saying '......just one more time..'
It rounds off a very enjoyable set from the Scots - something different.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 10:07:54
2. Bavarian Youth Brass Band (Benjamin Markl)
What an impressive start from the very professional looking and sounding German band - all smartly attired in black.
They are a mix of real youth and experience - from nippers to mature looking teenagers, but they make one heck of a fine sound in the test piece, played with neat rhythmic precision and free flowing musicality.
'Song of the Seashore' featuring their young solo euphonium doesn't quite come off, but it was given a fine effort. Just lost a bit off focus and security to close, but once again, the sound of the ensemble is so impressive.
It's with the ensemble playing that the Germans really show their quality - led by a classy solo cornet and bright as a button soprano. MD is full of smiles and encouragement for his young players - and they certainly respond too. The final section has such an uplifting sense of adventure - and the bass trom plays with a tasteful edge.
It rounds off a very solid, well directed set - very much the sum of its ensemble parts.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 09:38:32
1. Wardle Academy Youth (Sean Conway)
Not a big crowd in this morning for the start - what a pity, as this promises to be a treat.
Not doubting the enthusiasm of the support in the hall though with the flags of St George waving as Wardle Academy take to the stage under the baton of Sean Conway.
It's a great start too with 'Old Hundreth' with standing cornets and a great ensemble backing, followed the swagger march 'On the Quarter Deck' played with just the right amount of bell bottomed trouser boldness and nautical bounce.
The lovely 'Shepherd's Song' is a cultured contrast - led by the excellent young solo cornet player. The band makes such a warm and rounded sound too - bravo.
It's all added to by the set work, 'Patterns' by Edward Gregson - written way back in 1974 with its dislocated time signatures and rhythms. Great stuff - played with fizz and verve.
'I'll Walk with God' rounds off a very good performance set form the English representatives - so well led by the ever smiling MD. He's a proud conductor - and he has every right to be too. What a rousing close!
A great start to the contest this.
Iwan Fox
Youth Championship • Sunday 3, 09:31:02
European Youth Brass Band Contest
Development Section:
Test Piece: Patterns (Edward Gregson) & Own Choice Programme
Rolfe Bohme Saal Konzerthaus
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: 9.30am (BST -1)
Adjudicators:
Garry Cutt, Riekes van der Velde
1. Wardle Academy Youth (Sean Conway)
2. Bavarian Youth Brass Band (Benjamin Markl)
3. West Lothian Schools Brass Band (Anne Crookston)
4. Manger Skulemusikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt)
5. Soreide og Sandsli Skolekorps (Thor-Arne Pedersen)
6. Brass Band Aukstyn (Remigijus Vilys)
Premier Section Section:
Test Piece: Arcana (Kevin Houben) & Own Choice Programme
Rolfe Bohme Saal Konzerthaus
Draw: Pre-drawn
Commence: 12.30pm (BST -1)
Adjudicators:
Garry Cutt, Riekes van der Velde
1. Young Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet)
2. Liberty Brass Band (Christoph Luchsinger)
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
4. Brass Band Berner Oberland Junior (Jan Muller)
Youth Championship • Wednesday 29, 15:08:38
Sunday 3rd of May
09:30—12:30
Rolf Böhme Saal—Konzerthaus Freiburg
EYBBC—Development Section
12:30—15:00
Rolf Böhme Saal—Konzerthaus Freiburg
EYBBC—Premier Section
