Brass Band Schoonhoven, conducted by Erik Janssen has claimed the Euro Brass title for a third time with a commanding victory in Drachten on the weekend.
Thrilled
The Dutch National Champion thrilled a packed audience at the De Lawrei Hall over the two days of competition, to take home the 2,000 Euro first prize. The victory follows on from the success enjoyed at the contest in 2003 and 2006.
Outstanding
The adjudication teams of Simone Rebello, Jan Van der Roost, Ian Porthouse and Rob Goorhuis told 4BR that they were very impressed by the winners.
Ian told 4BR: "We were all in agreement that in both disciplines they produced quite outstanding playing, which was wonderfully directed."
The winners also took the prize for the ‘Best Euphonium and Baritone section’ as well as the best concert programme and own choice selection to claim victory by a clear seven-point margin from Brass Band De Waldsang, with Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk in third.
Special win
Band spokesperson Walter Lommerde told 4BR: "This was a very special win for Brass Band Schoonhoven as it is the first time a band has won the ‘Dutch Double’ of National Championships and Euro Brass. We were very pleased as it came against a very strong field with the top six Dutch bands, as well as two Belgium bands and the former US champion Fountain City."
Reigning champion Provinciale Brass Band Groningen conducted by Russell Gray could only manage fifth place in defence of their 2010 title, whilst the popular Americans of Fountain City were sixth.
The remarkable euphonium player Glen Van Looy took the ‘Best Soloist’ Award.
This was a very special win for Brass Band Schoonhoven as it is the first time a band has won the ‘Dutch Double’ of National Championships and Euro BrassWalter Lommerde
Format
The format of Euro Brass saw the top section bands deliver their own choice selections on the Friday, followed by a concert programme on the Saturday that had to include the short set work, ‘Fanfare in Jubilo’ by Thomas Doss.
In the B Section, victory went to Oefening en Uitspanning conducted by Anno Appelo who claimed the 750 Euro first prize plus a brand new cornet from sponsors Yamaha.
Brassband Constantijn Huygens, Appingedam conducted by Richard Visser took the C Section honours.
Results:
A Section:
1. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Erik Janssen) — 96/96 = 192
2. Brass Band De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde) – 92/93 = 185
3, Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk (Klaas van der Woude) – 91/91 = 182
4. Brass Band Heist (Bert van Thienen) – 90/92 = 182
5. Provinciale Brass Band Groningen (Russell Gray) – 93/86 = 179
6. Fountain City (Joe Paresi) – 88/89 = 177
7. Soli Brass Leeuwarden (Siemen Hoekstra) – 87/90 = 177
8. Metropole Brass Band (Guy Audenaert) – 89/87 = 176)
9. Brass Band Rijnmond (Anno Appelo & Erik van der Kolk) – 86/84 = 170
Best Soloist: Glen Van Looy (Brass Band Heist)
Best Test Piece: Brass Band Schoonhoven
Best Concert Programme: Brass Band Schoonhoven
Euphonium/Baritone Award: Brass Band Schoonhoven
B Section:
1. Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo) — 93
2. Heman Zuidwolde (Sietse Hamersma) – 91
3. Delta Brass Zeeland (Luc Vertommen) – 89
4. Excelsior Ferwert (Herman Sibma) – 88
5= Spijkerpakkenband, Opsterland (Thijs Oud) – 86*
5= Brass Band De Bazuin Oenkerk B (Bienze Ijlstra) — 86
7. Veluwe Brass (Kees Kramer) — 85
8. Brass a Musica (Michael Dils) — 84
9. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard) – 83
*Deducted 1 penalty point
Best Soloist: Margreta Kuipers (Flugel) — Heman Zuidwolde
Best Test Piece: Oefening en Uitspanning
Euphonium/Baritone Award: Heman Zuidwolde
Best Second Section Band: Excelsior Ferwert (Herman Sibma)
C Section:
1. Brassband Constantijn Huygens, Appingedam (Richard Visser) – 91
2. Loot den Heer, Beetgumermolen (Paulus de Jong) – 89
3. Braz’Art, Harelbeke (Geert Verschaeve) — 86
4. Cologne Concert Brass (Luc Vertommen) — 85
5. Gereformeerde Brass Band (Jan Werkman) — 84
Best Soloist: Pieter Vandenberghe (Euphonium) — Braz’ Art, Harelbeke
Best test Piece: Looft den Heer, Beetgumermolen
Euphonium/Baritone Award: Constantijn Huygens, Appingedam
