The Windcorp Band has secured its place at the 2014 European Brass Band Championship in Perth following their victory at the Swedish National Championship in Värnamo on the weekend.

Top class

Under the baton of MD Andreas Katz they produced a brace of top class performances of the set work, ’Stonehenge’ by Jan van der Roost and their own choice selection of ‘Sequences’ by David Glänneskog to claim a clear victory over rivals Solna Brass, with Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår in third.

Windcorp’s excellent flugel horn player Martin Isaksson took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his outstanding personal contribution to the success, whilst MD Andreas Katz was presented with the ‘Best Conductor’ prize.

Four in a row

The band’s fourth consecutive national title means that they have secured their European place in Perth after their 2011 victory saw them qualify for Oslo in 2013.

The winning MD told 4BR: "We are very happy at winning the National title once again and being able to represent Sweden at the European Brass Band Championships. We produced two very good performances on two excellent works."

Solid

Solna, under the direction of Emil Björklund delivered two solid performances to ensure the eventual champions has to perform exceptionally well to claim victory, with their own choice selection of ‘Music of the Spheres’, which gained prolonged applause from the audience.

There was also a well constructed performance of ‘Olympus’ from Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår to end third.

In the other section, Uffes Blås Brass Band claimed the First Division title ahead of Malmo Brass and Åsenhöga Missionskyrkas, whilst the Second Division title went to Axxon Brass ahead of VM-Brasset, and Halmstad Brass. The new Youth Champions were Åsenhöga Youth

We are very happy at winning the National title once again and being able to represent Sweden at the European Brass Band Championships. We produced two very good performances on two excellent worksMD, Andreas Katz

Results:

Championship Section:
Set Test: Stonehenge (Jan van der Roost)

Adjudicators: Patrik Randefalk, Torgny Hanson, Jan van der Roost and Dirk Lautenbach
Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Windcorp Brass Band (Andreas Katz) — 89/94 = 91.5
2. Solna Brass (Emil Björklund) — 87/89 = 88
3. Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår (Andreas Lundin & Per Engström) — 84/86 = 85

Best Soloist: Martin Isaksson (flugel) — Windcorp Brass Band
Best Conductor: Andreas Kratz (Windcorp Brass Band)

Division 1:
Set Test: Toccata Festiva (Jan van der Roost)

1. Uffes Blås Brass Band — 90
2. Malmö Brass Band — 89
3. Åsenhöga Missionskyrkas Brassband — 88
4. Smyrna Brass — 86
5. Södertörns Brass — 83
6. Torsby Brass — 82
7. Gnosjö Brass Band — 80

Best Soloist: Bass Section — Uffes Blås Brassband
Best Conductor: Jan Winborg (Malmö Brass Band)


Division 2:
Set Test: Slavia or Canterbury Chorale (Jan van der Roost)

1. Axxon Brass Band — 87
2. VM-Brasset — 86
3. Halmstad Brass — 85
4. Avesta Gospel Brass — 84
5. Pingstbrass – Örnsköldsvik — 83

Best Soloist: Mattias Hall – (soprano) — VM-Brasset
Best Conductor: Andreas Lundin (Axxon Brass)


Youth Bands:
Set Test: Four Old Dances (Movements 3 &4) – (Jan van der Roost)

1. Åsenhöga Youth Brass Band
2. Bors Yourh Brass Band
3. Uffes Youth Brass Band
4= Bors Minibrass
4= Gnosjö Minibrass
4= Immanuel Minibrass — Enköping
4= Jönköpings Juniorbrass
4= Södertörns Minibrass
4= Torsby/Arvika Minibrass

Best Soloist: Ludvig Jynnesjö – (cornet) — Immanuel Minibrass
Trophy Best Conductor: Ulrik Lundquist (Bors Minibrass)