Who are the players (and conductors) who we have chosen to be part of the 2015 4BR Band of the Year?
Some great performers from all around the world have made it into our line-up (chosen by the 4BR Editor), but do you agree with our choices?
The criteria for inclusion is straightforward: It’s not a question of who are simply the best - more a recognition of those who have performed at the very top of their form during the past twelve months and have made a lasting impression on us by doing so.
We think we have made a fair selection, and although not everyone will agree with the choices (that's for sure) we believe they make a pretty formidable line-up.
As always we could have made up two or three bands without any problems.
Conductors:
The records speak for themselves - in both the test piece and entertainment genres.
These two outstanding conductors have been an inspiration to their players all year long. The ability to create something of substance whatever the musical subject matter stood them out.
Philip Harper
Cory
Allan Withington
Stavanger
Cornet Section:
A year when we could have easily picked at least three sections let alone one without any discernible drop in overall quality - and still had many more knocking on the door.
Having been lucky enough to travel a fair bit in 2015 we got to hear some very fine talent from all parts of the globe - but the lingua-franca of excellence remains universal - and this lot had it in spades.
The playing we heard from these nine exponents was fantastic stuff - rock solid, confident, artistic and downright bloody brilliant.
As for the principal chair?
This year we have gone for a player who was a model of every facet of excellence; although the rest (in alphabetical order - and in no particular seat) could take over if he fancied a breather...
Principal Cornet:
Tom Hutchinson
Cory
Kirsty Abbotts
Carlton Main Frickley
Vincent Bearpark
Valaisia Brass Band
Alexis Demailly
Paris Brass Band
Dewi Griffiths
Tredegar
Kyle Lawson
Brighouse & Rastrick
Richard Marshall
Black Dyke
Harmen Vanhoorne
Brass Band Buizingen
Roger Webster
Grimethorpe
Soprano Cornet:
This is fast becoming an almost impossible task each year - as the high wire soprano playing around the banding globe is now at an exceptional level.
There was plenty of stunning playing on show; from Butlins in Skegness to the Stravinski Auditorium in Montreux and all stops in between.
However, one player really did shine in a way that reminded you that there is more to playing soprano at elite level than merely being able to play higher and louder than anyone else.
Paul Richards
Flowers
Flugel Horn:
There was plenty of high class flugel playing on show in 2015 and like the soprano we could justify the inclusion of a whole host of wonderful exponents.
However, this player showed that she continues to be worth every penny of a contest or concert entry ticket to come and listen to.
Zoe Hancock
Black Dyke
Horn Section:
Always a difficult task, as once again the horn was not put in the spotlight all that often - although when it was, it asked plenty of demanding questions.
The overall quality of top flight horn playing throughout the banding world varies greatly - but this trio stood out in 2015 for their combination of artistry and rock solid temperament.
Arfon Owen
Stavanger
Ailsa Russell
Cory
Jonathan Bates
Black Dyke
Euphonium Section:
There are so many top class euphonium players around that we are simply spoilt for choice.
The startling level of technique that is now taken for granted is breathtaking, but it is the maturity of musicianship that came with it from these two players throughout the year that stood them apart for us.
David Childs
Flowers
David Thornton
Foden’s
Baritone Section:
This has given us the odd problem over the years - and continues to do so - although for the right reasons.
There was some stunning baritone playing on show all over the globe, but these two exponents took things to a different level - be it lyrical or technical.
Katrina Marzella
Black Dyke
Adrian Bachmann
Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern
Trombone Section:
It gives us a huge headache each year to try and pick just three trombone players from a veritable cornucopia of talent that performs brilliantly in the best bands in the world.
This is a trio that who on each occasion we heard them were more than merely stunning. Each is a world class soloist in their own right - but also an amazingly flexible section player as well.
Sascha Hois
Brass Band Oberosterreich
Amelie Dupayage
Paris Brass Band
Bass Trombone:
Lionel Fumeaux
Brass Band Treize Etoiles
Bass Section:
The best sections tend to come in pairs and the two leviathans from Treize Etoiles could not be parted. These lads were awesome - pumping it out as if they had their own Large Hadron Collider fixed under their seats.
Philip Johnston remains a phenomenon - adding yet another New Zealand Champion of Champions title to his name, whilst former Black Dyke star Joseph Cook found a great new home to showcase his superb talents.
EEb Tuba:
Philip Johnston
Woolston Brass
Joseph Cook
Manger Musikklag
BBb Tuba:
Samuel Duc
Brass Band Treize Etoiles
Tristan Neurohr
Brass Band Treize Etoiles
Percussion Section:
There are plenty of wonderful percussion players around the banding world, and a great deal of what they do (and do well) tends to go unnoticed unless it obliterates the rest of the band.
Rich Sweat remains the best kit-man in the business and Espen Haukas is a superb all round player with the organisational qualities of the CEO of the Red Cross.
The quartet from Valaisia was simply stunning at the Swiss Nationals - adding a sheen of polish to a brace of exceptional performances that could have reflected the smile of their MD onto the surface of the moon.
Rich Sweat
Brass Band of Central Florida
Espen Haukas
Manger Musikklag
Barras Arthur
Cacialli Samuel
Journel Eric
Zufferey Laurent
Valaisia Brass Band
