If Carlsberg Lager ever wants to try and target their refreshing alcoholic libation throughout the brass band globe, then perhaps they should consider signing up three musicians who currently sit in ‘Perhaps the best brass band conducting trumpet section in the world’.

Unprecedented success

Allan Withington, Martin Winter and Gary Peterson of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra can currently boast an unprecedented success rate that includes five first places and one second at the last six major British and European contests they have been asked to provide their expertise for.

“We are considering offering our services to Carlsberg," Martin chuckled as he spoke to 4BR. "We don’t think there is a more successful section in the world at present, so we may as well try and cash in with a bit of enjoyable sponsorship!"

Major successes

Allan’s CV includes victories with Foden’s at the British Open, National Championships of Great Britain and the Siddis Entertainment Championship with Stavanger, whilst Martin led Manger to success at the IBBC in Belgium and lent a helping hand in the preparation of Brass Band Fribourg who recently won the Swiss National Championship title in Montreux.

Meanwhile, Gary has just returned from Perth after leading Tertnes to second place at the Scottish Open.

Brilliant

Martin added: "We have all been lucky to have enjoyed individual success over the years, but now it has come all together. Gary’s latest success with Tertnes was brilliant for Norwegian banding."

He also revealed that the success is also enjoyed by the rest of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra – even if some non-brass players didn’t quite understand what the excitement about brass band contests is all about just yet.

We don’t think there is a more successful section in the world at present, so we may as well try and cash in with a bit of enjoyable sponsorship!Martin Winter

Cups and trophies

"It’s a very friendly rivalry between the three of us – although we haven’t quite got to the stage yet when we are bringing in the cups and trophies to show off to the rest of the orchestra.

We do get asked about the popularity of brass bands though, but I don’t think too many woodwind players really know too much about the contests. Perhaps we will get them to come to the Norwegian Championships in Bergen next February."