There was something of a surprise in the Netherlands on the weekend when Brass Band Schoonhoven directed by Eric Janssen took the National title for the first time in their history and in the process booked their place at the European Championships in Montruex next April.

High class

In what proved to be a high class competition at the Martini Palza Convention Centre in Groningen, their performance of the set work, ‘Within Blue Empires’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper saw them beat Amsterdam Brass by a clear two point margin, with defending champion Brassband Rijnmond in third.

The result rounded off a fine weekend for conductor Erik Janssen, who also led Brassband Breukelen to victory in the First Division4BR

Fine weekend

The result rounded off a fine weekend for conductor Erik Janssen, who also led Brassband Breukelen to victory in the First Division.

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis, Jacob Slagter, Frank Renton

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven — A (Erik Janssen) — 95
2. Amsterdam Brass (Pierre Volders) — 93
3. Brassband Rijnmond (Anno Appelo) — 92
4. Soli Brass (Frans Aert Burghgraef) — 91
5. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Ido-Gerard Kempenaar) — 90
6. De Bazuin Oenkerk (Klaas van der Woude) — 89
7. Van de Kreeke Brassband (Guido Segers) — 88
8. Brassband De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde) – 86

First Division:

1. Brassband Breukelen (Erik Janssen) — 92
2. De Spijkerpakkenband Opsterland (Thijs Oud) — 91
3. Oefening en Uitspanning Wijk en Aalburg (Anno Appelo) — 90
4. Delta Brass Zeeland Veere (Luc Vertommen) — 89
5. Heman Zuidwolde (Sietse Hamersma) — 88
6. Kunst naar Kracht De Goorn (Floris van der Kooij) — 87
7. Excelsior Zalk (Rieks van der Velde) — 86
8. Pro Rege Heerenveen (Siemen Hoekstra) — 84

Second Division:

1. Excelsior-Ferwert (Herman Sibma) – 91
2. Martini Brassband – Groningen (Rieks van der Velde) – 90
3. De Bazuin B – Oenkerk (Bienze Ijlstra) — 88
4. Brassband Schoonhoven-B (Erik Kluin) – 83
5. Veluwe Brass – Amersfoort (Kees Kramer) – 82
6. De Lofklank – Ureterp (Marco Middelberg) — 80

Third Division:

1. Gloria Dei-Gerkesklooster-Stroobos (Piet van der Heide) – 90
2. Soli Deo Gloria-Blije (Chris van der Veen) – 89
3. Looft den Heer-Beetgumermolen (Paulus de Jong) – 87
4. Geref. Brassband Groningen (Jan Werkman) – 86
5. Constantijn Huijgens-Appingedam (Richard Visser) – 85
6. De Nije Bazun-Britsum (Piet van der Heide) – 84
7. Blaast de Bazuin-Surhuisterveen (Aline Schipper) – 83
8. Apollo-Grou (Piet Visser) – 82
9. Greide Brass-Wunseradiel (Dirk Vincken) – 81
10. Harp en Luit-Vuren (Dick-Jan Veerbeek) — 80

Fourth Division:

1. Backum Brass-Castricum (Erik van de Kolk) – 90
2. Euphonia-Ternaard (Gatse Hylkema) – 89
3. Halleluja-Menaldum (Ido-Gerard Kempenaar) – 88
4. Immanuel-Eemsmond (Wim Westerman) – 87
5. Ere zij God-Damwoude (Gerben Huizinga) – 86
6. Soli Deo Gloria-Rinsumageest (Gatse Hylkema) – 85
7. Blaast de Bazuin-Oude/Nieuwe Bildtdijk (Paulus de Jong) – 84
8. Excelsior Driesum Wouterswoude (N/K) – 83
9. Soli Deo Gloria-de Tike (Guus Tomey) – 82
10. De Bazuin-Donkerbroek (Patrick v.d. Hoven) – 80