Brass Band Schoonhoven confirmed its position as the dominant top flight band in the Netherlands after completing a hat-trick of victories under the direction of Erik Janssen at the Dutch National Championships in Groningen.

Outstanding

An outstanding performance of Martin Ellerby’s ‘Electra’ saw them claim the first prize of a Sovereign euphonium and 1,000 Euros, to secure their place as the Dutch representatives at the 2013 European Brass Band Championships in Olso.

The quality of their ensemble and solo playing saw adjudicators Luuk Tuinstra, Jan Van der Roost and Ray Farr give the pre- contest favourites a single point winning margin over rivals Brass Band De Waldsang conducted by Rieks van der Welde, with Brass Band Limburg directed by Renato Meli a point further back in third.

Very pleased

Band Chairman Walter Lommerde told 4BR: "We are very pleased to have been able to win our National Championship for a third time in a row. It has been a very good year for us with wins at the Flemish Open and Euro Brass and our third place finish at the European Championship."

He added: “The band is in great shape at the moment especially due to the direction of conductor Erik Janssen and the players. Our main soloists made all the difference on the weekend."

Tour de force

In a high class contest on Saturday evening at the Martini Plaza, last year’s runner-up, Brass Band Rijnmond could only manage fourth.

Schoonhoven set a contest marker that could not be beaten from the number 1 draw, despite fine accounts from the 12 time former champions De Waldsang who benefitted from the experience of Tredegar’s Dewi Griffiths on principal cornet and Limburg, who secured their best National finish since 2008.

Terrific

The written notes form the judges confirmed the quality of the winning performance, with Luuk Tuinstra writing, ‘… a great rendition’, whilst Ray Farr added, ‘Wow! Tour-de force. A terrific performance – and so well directed.’

The hat trick celebrating winner now returns to the European Championship for a third consecutive year confident of improving on the third place finish they secured last year in Rotterdam.

Walter Lommerde concluded: "Although the competition in Holland is strong, and with the other bands, especially Rijnmond and Waldsang also playing so well at present, it is very important that we can develop the band in an international competition.

We are really looking forward to the European in May and the World Music Contest in Kerkrade in July, where we want to challenge the very vest bands in Europe and the world for the top prizes."

First Section:

History also repeated itself in the First Section, where Heman Brass Band claimed their second successive National title under the baton of Anne van den Berg.

A confident performance of the set work ‘Time Machine’ by Thomas Doss, saw last year’s European B Section runner-up live up to its pre-contest favourites tag by narrowly defeating rivals Brass Band Oefening en Uitspanning and Kunst naar Kracht in what was a repeat of the 2011 National result.

Second Section:

There was an unprecedented fourth consecutive National title success for Excelsior in the Second Section, where they claimed the title by a two point margin, thanks to a fine performance of the set work, ‘Cross Patonce’ by Goff Richards under the baton of Herman Sibma.

It denied Brass Band Schoonhoven B under Robbert Vos the opportunity to emulate their senior counterparts as they claimed second place on their return to the contest after missing last year’s event, with De Bazuin B improving from fifth in 2011 to end a point further back in third under Bienze Ijlstra.

Third Section:

Gloria Dei regained the National title in the Third Section, as under the baton of Piet van der Heide they secured a two point winning margin over rivals Looft den Heer directed by Paulus de Jong, with Geref. Brass Band a point further back in third under Jan Werkman.

After missing out on victory at the contest last year it was a delighted return to the top of the winner’s rostrum for the 2010 champion as they produced a fine performance of the set work, ‘The Angel of the North’ by Richard Grantham.

Fourth Section:

There was a maiden victory for Halleluja conducted by Ido Gerard Kempenaar in the Fourth Section, as they returned to the contest after missing 2001 by securing a popular victory on the set work, Parnassus’ by Jan Vann der Roost.

Second place went to the improving Euphonia, whilst conductor Gatse Hylkema also led Soli Deo Gloria into third.

Schoonhoven set a contest marker that could not be beaten from the number 1 draw, despite fine accounts from the 12 time former champions De Waldsang4BR

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Luuk Tuinstra, Jan Van der Roost, Ray Farr

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven A (Erik Janssen) — 93
2. Brass Band De Wâldsang (Rieks van der Velde) — 92
3. Brass Band Limburg (Renato Meli) — 91
4. Brass Band Rijnmond (Erik van de Kolk) — 90
5. Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg) — 89
6. Altena Brass (Jan Gerrit Adema) — 88
7. Brass Band De Bazuin (Klaas van der Woude) — 87
8. Amsterdam Brass (Pierre Volders) — 86

First Section:
Adjudicators: Luuk Tuinstra, Jan Van der Roost, Ray Farr

1. Heman (Anne van den Berg) — 93
2. Brass Band Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo) — 92
3. Kunst naar Kracht (Erik Kluin) 91
4. Brass Band Excelsior (Rieks van der Velde) — 90
5. Pro Rege (Siemen Hoekstra) — 89
6. Regionale Brass Band De Spijkerpakkenband (Erik Janssen) — 88
7. Brass Band Breukelen (Kees Kramer) — 87

Second Section:
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis, Danny Oosterman, Hannes Buchegger

1. Excelsior (Herman Sibma) — 94
2. Brass Band Schoonhoven B (Robbert Vos) — 92
3. De Bazuin B (Bienze IJlstra) — 91
4. Martini Brass Band (Rieks van der Velde) — 90
5. Veluwe Brass (Vincent Verhage) — 88
6. De Lofklank (Jaap Musschenga) — 87
7. Wâldbrass (John Blanken) — 86
8. CMV Euphonia (Syde van der Ploeg) — 85
9. Brass Band David (John Blanken) — 84

Third Section:
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis, Danny Oosterman, Hannes Buchegger

1. Gloria Dei (Piet van der Heide) — 93
2. Looft den Heer (Paulus de Jong) — 91
3. Geref.Brass Band (Jan Werkman) — 90
4. Constantijn Huygens (Richard Visser) — 89
5. Backum Brass (Erik van der Kolk) — 88
6. Soli Deo Gloria (Chris van der Veen) — 87
7. Brassband ‘De Nije Bazún’ (Piet van der Heide) — 85
8. Excelsior (Piet Visser) — 84

Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis, Danny Oosterman, Hannes Buchegger

1. Halleluja (Ido Gerard Kempenaar) — 90
2. Euphonia (Gatse Hylkema) — 89
3. Soli Deo Gloria (Gatse Hylkema) — 87
4. Geref.Brass Band Immanuël (Wim Westerman) — 86
5. Felison Brass (Patricia Geertse) — 85