The 5th Aalborg 5th Music Festival took place recently in Denmark, where the new look event was proclaimed an unqualified success.

Grown

With an ethos of, 'development, access and quality' the festival has grown each year, as founder and Director of Competition, Henrik Juul-Pedersen told 4BR:

"I want to make the festival the best brass band contest in the world. We are listening to the participants and trying to innovate at all times. We are going to reach that goal!"

Evolved

Since its inception in 2008, the event has evolved, with the introduction of a special youth section in 2009, test pieces written by Danish composers in 2010 and ensemble classes introduced last year.

With a new logo (above) and masterclasses with the adjudicators brought in this year Henrik believes the Festival continues to seek innovative ways in which to build.

Brits

There was a British contribution too this year with an adjudication panel of euphonium star David Childs and Leyland principal cornet Iain Culross joining Jacob V. Larsen, the conductor the Stavanger Band.

David and Iain provided wonderful masterclasses for players on the Friday with Jacob leading a superb workshop for conductors.

Winners

More than 25 took part this year, with the Section A title and first prize of a Yamaha cornet won by Peder Most Garden conducted by Anne Lene Hagedorn. Defending champion Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band came second with former winners Skanderborg Brass in third.

Brovst Pigegarde took the B Section honours, with Løgstør Garden wining Section C.

Kevin Jørgensen, principal cornet Frederikshavn FDF Brass band, won the brand new prize as the best soloist under the age of 21, awarded by the Danish/German Brass Academy.

The best ensemble prize was won by Hjallerup Brass Ensemble.

I want to make the festival the best brass band contest in the world. We are listening to the participants and trying to innovate at all times. We are going to reach that goal!Henrik Juul-Pedersen

Results:
Section A:

1. Peder Most Garden — 93
2. Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band — 92
3. Skanderborg Brass Band — 91
4. Holstebro Brass — 90
5, Hjørring Brass Band — 89

Best March: Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band
Best Soloist: Lasse Bech Eiler, Holstebro Brass
Best Conductor: Anne Lene Hagedorn, Peder Most Garden

Section B:

1. Brovst Pigegarde — 80
2. Aalborg Brass Band — 78
3. Hjallerup FDF Brass Band — 76

Best March: Aalborg Brass Band
Best Soloist: Line Davidsen, Brovst Pigegarde
Best Conductor: Henrik Juul-Pedersen, Hjallerup FDF Brass Band

Section C:

1. Løgstør Garden — 75
2. Frederikshavn FDF Talent Band — 74
3. Tordenskiold Garden — 73
4. Brønderslev FDF Orkester — 72
5. Brovst Pigegardes Talentband — 71

Best March: Frederikshavn FDF Talentband
Best Soloist: Michelle Brander, Brovst Pigegardes Talentband
Best Conductor: Maria Bak, Løgstør Garden
Best potential Band: Brovst Pigegardes Talentband

BBQ Bands

1. Hjallerup Ensemblet — 90.01
2. Fladstrand Brass Ensemble — 90.00

Best Soloist Under 21: Kevin Jørgensen (Frederikshavn FDF Talentband)
Best New Composition: Somebody to Love — Hjørring Brass Band