Manger Musikklag made it a 2010 Norwegian ‘Double’ in Stavanger at the weekend, when they claimed the prestigious SIDDIS Entertainment title and the 18,000 Krone first prize to add to their Norwegian National victory earlier in the year.

Innovative

With an innovative programme produced by conductor Martin Winter based on music of the renaissance, entitled, 'Manger’s Madrigal Mystery Tour', the band claimed their seventh victory at the event, and their first win since 2008.

Maximum

Speaking to 4BR, the winning conductor was delighted by the success, especially as it was the second time that his own composition for the event had gained maximum marks from the adjudicators.

"I’m still getting over the winning feeling," Martin said when he spoke to 4BR at his home on Sunday evening.

"To lead the band to victory was very pleasing especially as the music I produced gained full marks for its entertainment programming. It’s the sixth different programme I’ve put together for the contest over the years, and the fourth for Manger, so to win here again with such high marks was something special."

Inspiration

Martin also revealed that the inspiration for the programme came to him somewhat by accident. "I was having a cup of coffee one Sunday morning, listening to a CD of some renaissance music I usually put on as some background music. As I wasn’t being disturbed, I sat back and started to realised I could do something different with it."

That something was a five movement suite, which took elements from Spanish, Italian, French and English renaissance madrigals and turned them into something that took the music in a very different direction.

Where to go

"The opening 'Amor Vittorioso' is played as close as possible to its original setting," Martin explained.

"However, the following four movements just touch on the original elements – so we have something of a jazz waltz, Mendez trumpeting, a slow chorale and thumping finish. I wanted to see where I could go with the music."

It’s the sixth different programme I’ve put together for the contest over the years, and the fourth for Manger, so to win here again with such high marks was something specialMartin Winter

Mystery Tour

Those 'mystery tour' movements, 'Il Est Bel et Bon', 'Fatal la parte', 'Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno' and 'Now is the Month of May' provided the audience with a thrilling 22 minutes of music making.

"I think it worked well," Martin said modestly, before praising his band’s efforts and especially that of his remarkable young principal cornet player, Erlend Aagaard-Nilsen, who won the prestigious solo award for an unprecedented third year in a row.

Great future

"It’s great working with a band that responds so well to what you want, and Erland is a superb player. His mother and brother both played in the band on the weekend too. He’s a student at the Greig Academy and has a great future ahead of himself."

Innovative

Adjudicators Graham Jones and Geir Ulseth described Manger's programme as 'innovative' and 'performed by an excellent band', opinions that resulted in the National champion claiming maximum marks for programming as well as top marks against their seven rivals, for performance.

The combination of leading marks for both elements gave Manger a narrow two point winning margin over Stavanger in second place with reigning champion Eikanger Bjorsvik in third.

Looked Bach

The hometown favourites conducted by Allan Withington, also looked back in musical time for inspiration. With an equally inventive programme entitled 'Bach & Beyond', arranged by the conductor and Robin Dewhurst, they pushed the eventual winners all the way to finishing tape.

Defending champion

Defending champion Eikanger Bjorsvik, looking for their fifth win in six years, had to be content with third place under the direction of Reid Gilje, after their programme of arrangements by the conductor and Frode Rydland of music by Harry Connick Jnr, Astor Piazolla, Arturo Marquez and Claude Smith didn’t quite capture the imagination of the judges on this occasion.

However, they put their disappointment behind them to provide the audience at a packed Stavanger Concert Hall, venue for the 2008 European Championships, with a superb Gala Concert performance.

Last word

The last word though went to the winning conductor Martin Winter, as he now sets his sights on 2011. "I’ll be playing with Eikanger at the Norwegian Championships, and am really looking forward to that," he said. "But I’m already thinking about what I can write for this contest already!"

First Division

There was a victory to celebrate for Eikanger in the First Division competition, where Bjorsvik Brass, a band made up of many former players (including Martin Winter on solo cornet!) claimed yet another remarkable victory in its short history.

Under the direction of Stian Svendsen, the 2009 Fourth and current Third Division National champion, added their first SIDDIS title to their CV after Montebello Brass had been deducted 2 points for running over the time. Reigning champion, Askoy Brass was third.

Bjorsvik's programme was a tribute to Howard Snell, the man who many of the player enjoyed numerous contesting successes with — including two European Championship wins.

The programme started with 'Postcard from Mexico' and ended with the lip sapping 'Pines of Rome', whilst Martin Winter delighted the audience with his rendition of 'Nessun Dorma'.

Martin added: "It was great to play Howard's music again — and we all enjoyed it, even though our lips were hanging off by the end!"

Satire

The Montebello ensemble, which takes its name from one of the more affluent suburbs of Oslo, also delighted the audience with their witty and acerbic satirical take on Norwegian class structure, with champagne served to the players, on stage. The band’s euphonium player Thor-Willy Bohrs-Karlsen took the solo prize.

Second Division

A high standard of performance was noted by the adjudicator’s from all 17 bands in the Second Division contest, which saw 2007 champion Jolster Musikklag regain its title thanks to an excellent performance under the direction of Arvid Anthun.

Such was the quality of the programmes that the adjudicator’s, Jan Roger Oren and Gaute Uikdal awarded maximum entertainment marks to winners and runner up Bergen Brass Band conducted by Sturle Berntsen, whilst only 9 marks separated out all 17 bands in terms of musical performance.

In third place cane Agder Brass directed by David Tellefsen, whilst the solo award went to Kine Oen on flugel horn from joint fourth placed Rong Brass.

Third Division

There was a competition first to celebrate in the Third Division competition where for the first time in the 28-year history of the SIDDIS event, a Danish band was victorious.

Danfoss Orkestrat led by John Bogelund Frederiksen led the band to a narrow two point victory margin over second placed Tysnes Musikklag, with Eidsberg Brass Band in third.

The solo award was won by flugel player Vegard Døssland of Rosendal Musikklag.

Fourth Division

There was also a great deal to celebrate for both Tysvaer Brass and the SIDDIS organisers in the Fourth Division.

Seven bands took part in the contest, which was being held for the very first time this year, with Tysvaer led by tuba star Clive James Zwanswiniski taking the keenly fought contest even though they lost a point for playing over the prescribed time limit, although the solo award was won by their solo cornet player Yngve Milje.

In second place came Musikkorpset Heimdal, with Sotra Brass in third.

Delighted

A spokesperson for the event told 4BR: "We have been delighted with the competition this year. We had a record 54 bands taking part with over 1600 players.

The standard of performances was excellent at all levels, and we are very happy that we have been able to hold the first competition for new and emerging bands in the Fourth Division."

Elite Division:
Adjudicators: Graham Jones & Geir Ulseth

1. Manger Musikklag (Martin P. Winter) – 97/10 = 107
2. Stavanger (Allan Withington) – 96/9 = 105
3. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje) – 95/8 = 103
4. Oslo Brass Band (Frode Amundsen) – 92/9-1 = 100
5. Oslofjord Brass (Simon Dobson) – 86/7 = 93
6. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (John Philip Hannevik) – 84/7.5 = 91.5
7. Krohnengen (Tormod Flaten) – 85/6 = 91
8. Sola Brass Band (Benny Wiame) – 83/7-2 = 88

Solo Award: Erlend Aagaard-Nilsen (Manger Musikklag)

First Division:
Adjudicators: Irene Anda & Philip Harper

1. Bjørsvik Brass (Stian Svendsen) – 94/9 = 103
2. Montebello Brass (P. Kragh-Riesling/Tarjei Gilbrant) – 95/8-2 = 101
3. Askøy Brass (Sindre Dalhaug) – 92/6 = 98
4. Radøy Brass (Magnus Brandseth) – 91/7 = 98
5. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Espen Westbye) – 90/8 = 98
6. Oster Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) – 89/7 = 96
7. Alexander Brass (Morten E. Hansen) – 88/7 = 95
8. Laksevåg Musikkforening (Egil Magnussen) – 87/6 = 93
9. Kleppe Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal) – 86/7 = 93
10. Brøttum Brass (Michael Antrobus) – 85/5 = 90
11. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) – 84/5 = 89

Solo Award: Thor-Willy Bøhrs-Karlsen (Montebello Brass)

Second Division:
Adjuicators: Jan Roger Oren & Gaute Uikdal

1. Jølster Musikklag (Arvid Anthun) – 96/10 = 106
2. Bergen Brass (Sturle Berntsen) – 94/10 = 104
3. Agder Brass (David Tellefsen) – 95/7 = 102
4= Haukås Musikklag (Thor-Arne Pedersen) – 92/9 = 101
4= Rong Brass (Eirik Gjerdevik) – 92/9 = 101
6. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) – 93/7 = 100
7. Flesland Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk) – 91/9 = 100
8. Hornorkesteret Stavanger (Mats Urdal Aasen) – 90/9 = 99
9= Manger Old Star Brass (Johannes Mangersnes) – 89/8 = 97
9= Sagvåg Musikklag (Håvard Kroka) – 89/8 = 97
11. Follesø Musikklag (Reid Gilje) – 90/6 = 96
12= Lindås Brass (Hogne Holmås) – 90/5 = 95
12= Skui Brassband (Henrik Dagestad-Dalhaug) – 90/5 = 95
14. Fjell Brass (Oddvar Nøstdal) – 90/4 = 94
15. Stangaland Brass (Yngve Nikolaisen) – 88/6 = 94
16. Grenland Brass (Christopher Røedvang) – 87/7 = 94
17. Krapfoss Hornorkester (Espen Ødegaard) – 87/5 = 92

Solo Award: Kine Oen (Rong Brass)

Third Division:
Adjudicators: Morten Wensberg & Elisabeth Fossan

1. Danfoss Orkestret (John Bøgelund Frederiksen) – 94/9 = 103
2. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) – 92/9 = 101
3. Eidsberg Brass (Dag Ivar Belsvik) – 90/10 = 100
4. Rosendal Musikklag (Torstein Hatlevik) – 90/9 = 99
5. Randaberg Musikkorps (Marcel Sorin Totolici) – 91/7 = 98
6= Hordvik Musikklag (Tom Brevik) – 89/8 = 97
6= Langhus Brass (Idar Torskangerpoll) — 89/8 = 97
8. Indre Torungen Brass Ens (Lars-Bjørnar Strengenes) – 87/9 = 96
9. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Geir Karlson) – 87/8 = 95
10. Hetlevik Musikklag (Einar Gjelsvik) – 85/7 = 92
11. IMI Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) – 83/6 = 89

Solo Award: Vegard Døssland (Rosendal Musikklag)

Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Selmer Simonsen & Paul Farr

1. Tysvær Brass (Clive James Zwanswiniski) – 96/8-1 = 103
2. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Per Olav Paulsen) – 95/8 = 103
3. Sotra Brass (Thor-Arne Pedersen) – 93/9 = 102
4. Fitjar Musikklag (Torbjørn Røssland) – 91/8 = 99
5. Salhus Musikklag (Knut Emil Mjøs) – 89/7 = 96
6. Grenland Ungdoms Brass (Sigurd Grøv Skramsett) – 88/7 = 95
7. Hinna Brass (Irene Kjellevold) – 87/6 = 93

Solo Award: Yngve Milje (Tysvær Brass)