Lyngby Taarbaek Band has booked its place in the starting line up for the 2013 European Brass Band Championships in Oslo after retaining their Danish National title at the Blaagaard Seminarium in Soborg on the weekend.
Two day, two legs
The two day, twin legged contest saw the four Championship Section contenders perform the former National Finals of Great Britain set work and recent Area test piece, ‘The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, with their own choice selection the following day.
Conducted by Selmer Simonsen, Lyngby gained what proved to be a crucial 2.7 margin over their closest rivals and 2010 champion Concord Brass on the Friday evening, with Århus Brass in third.
Packed hall
With a packed hall to welcome the bands on the Saturday, there was a great sense of excitement as the leading contenders showcased their own choice selections.
Russell Gray led Concord in a top class performance of ‘Spiriti’, which although beating their rivals just couldn’t quite overturn Lyngby’s precious lead. They themselves produced a thrilling rendition of ‘From Ancient Times’ to just do enough to repel Concord’s challenge and book their place once more as the Danish representatives at the Europeans.
Århus Brass produced an excellent rendition of ‘Music for Battle Creek’ to end third, whilst a little further back came FDF Christianshavn Brass with their rendition of ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.
Second Division:
In the nine band Second Division there was a close battle for the National title, with just 1.3 points separating the top three bands.
Reigning champion Dania Brass retained their title under the baton of Dennis Aaberg Andersen with their twin performances of Thomas Wilson’s set work, ‘Sinfonietta’ and their own choice selection of ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’.
It proved to be just enough to stave off the challenge of Skanderborg Brass directed by Gert Skovlod Hattesen who chose ‘Blazon’ by Peter Graham as their own choice selection, whilst just behind came 2011 runner up, Svogerslev Blæserne conducted by English euphonium star Michael Howley, with ‘The Year of the Dragon’.
Third Division:
Three bands locked horns in the Third Division, where Sejs Blæserne conducted by Jan Nørgaard was crowned 2012 champion thanks to their duel performances of the set work, ‘Music for a Brass Band’ by Martin Dalby and their own choice selection of ‘Saint Saens Variations’.
Runner up was FDF Gladsaxe Brass Band who picked ‘Variations on Laudate Dominum’, with the Flyverhjemmeværnets Musikkorps in third with their own choice of ‘Oregon’.
With thanks to Lars Hædersdal
With a packed hall to welcome the bands on the Saturday, there was a great sense of excitement as the leading contenders showcased their own choice selections4BR
Results:
First Division:
Test Piece: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Derek Bourgeois)
Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Lyngby-Taarbæk Brass (Selmer Simonsen) — 93.7/94.0 = 93.9
2. Concord Brass (Russell Gray) — 91.0/95.3 = 93.2
3. Århus Brass (Christian Schmiedescamp) — 87.3/93.7 = 90.5
4. FDF Christianshavn Brass (René Bjerregaard Nielsen) — 86.7/92.0 = 89.4
Second Section:
Test Piece: Sinfonietta (Thomas Wilson)
1. Dania Brass (Dennis Aaberg Andersen) — 91.3/94.0) = 92.7
2. Skanderborg Brass (Gert Skovlod Hattesen) — 92.5/93.0) = 92.5
3. Svogerslev Blæserne (Michael Howley) — 90.7/92.0) = 91.4
4. Svogerslev Brass (Susanne Vibæk Svanekier) — 88.0/89.7 = 88.9
5. Frederiksberg Brass (Rasmus Kærsgaard) — 87.0 /89.7 = 88.4
6. Frederikshavn FDF Brass (Henrik Næser Christiansen) — 84.7/90.7 = 87.7
7. Hafnia Brass (Bo Fuglsang) — 80.3/86.0 = 83.2
8. Hjørring Brass (Brian Nyholm Kristensen) — 78.0/88.0 = 83.0
9. Selandia Brass (Sune Wedam) — 78.7/87.0 = 82.9
Third Division:
Test Piece: Music for a Brass Band (Martin Dalby)
1. Sejs Blæserne (Jan Nørgaard) — 87.3/89.7 = 88.5
2. FDF Gladsaxe Brass (Carl Viggo Jespersen) — 86.3/90.7 = 88.5
3. Flyverhjemmeværnets Musikkorps (Bo Valbjørn) — 83.7/87.0 = 85.4
