Brass Band Schoonhoven reinforced its reputation as one of Europe’s elite contest bands by claiming a hat-trick of victories at the 12th EuroBrass Championship in Drachten on the weekend.

Outstanding

Under the baton of MD Erik Janssen, victory gave the reigning Dutch champion their fifth EuroBrass success after they delivered a brace of outstanding performances over the two days at the De Lawei Theatre. It secured the 2500 Euro prize package by a massive six point margin over rivals Brass Band De Wâldsang, with De Bazuin A, two points further back in third.

Schoonhoven’s inventive approach to the two legged format saw open their Friday evening challenge with their test piece selection of the recent European set work, ‘Myth Forest’ by Stig Nordhagen and own choice march, ‘Lock Horns, Rage on’ by Simon Dobson.

Narrow lead

It gave the band a narrow single point margin to carry into the following day over De Bazuin, who produced a thrilling account of ‘Spiriti’, whilst De Wâldsang’s ‘Via Aeterna Variation’ was a further two points back in third.

That progressive sense of musicality was further enhanced with Saturday’s 30 minute entertainment programme, which saw Schoonhoven open with ‘Prelude on Tallis’, followed by Robbert Vos underlining his credentials as one of Europe’s leading euphonium players by claiming the ‘Best Soloist’ prize with a superb performance of Nigel Clarke’s ‘The City in the Sea’.

Further contrast was shown with the Dr Robert Childs arrangement of ‘Little Prayer’, before closing with ‘Turris Fortissima’ by Steven Ponsford.

It gave the band the ‘Best Entertainment Programme’ prize as they ended a further three points clear of nearest rivals, De Wâldsang.

Building on Oslo

Speaking to 4BR, Principal Cornet Denis Vork said that the latest victory had been built on the performances in coming fifth at the recent European Championship in Oslo.

"To be able to play against the very best bands in Europe on a regular basis has given us a great deal of confidence. We work very hard and want to keep improving each year under Erik Janssen’s superb direction.

I feel that the performances over the two days here showed that once more. We were very happy by the way we played."

Aiming for Perth

Dennis also revealed that the focus was now very much on claiming a fourth consecutive Dutch National title – and another European Championship appearance in Perth in 2014.

"We have a chance to relax now as we will not be competing at Kerkrade, but we have a great concert to look forward to with Harmen Vanhoorne as our guest soloist before we start work on preparation for our National Championship in December.

We are determined to win there again and qualify for Scotland."

Heman triumph

Brass Band Heman also underlined their domestic dominance at First Division level as they claimed their third EuroBrass title in the last four years under the baton of Anne van den Berg.

French polish

The French challenger of Brass Band de Douai from just outside of Lille, pushed the eventual winner close, thanks to their polished rendition of ‘English Heritage’, conducted by Olivier Dégardin.

De Bazuin B directed by Bienze Ijlstra was third as they claimed the ‘Best March’ prize for their rendition of ‘The Titan’ by Gordon Langford.

Excellence

Heman produced an excellent 30-minute programme featuring the rousing march, ‘The Cossack’, followed by a superb rendition of ‘Smoke Gets in my Eyes’ by ‘Best Soloist’ winner Martijn Werkman on trombone.

They rounded off their set with an imposing rendition of Martin Ellerby’s ’Chivalry’ to claim the title and prize package worth 2250 Euros.

Incentive

A delighted Brass Band Heman spokesperson Karin Wolter told 4BR that the victory will now provide the band with the incentive to claim a hat trick of National titles in December as a prelude to their 100th anniversary celebration in 2014.

"We are very happy to have won the EuroBrass title once again," Karin said.

"We now want to make it a hat-trick of wins at the National Championships and hopefully gain promotion to the Championship Section.

The band is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, and we have come such a long way after changing from a fanfare band to a brass band about 30 years ago. We came runner-up in the B Section at the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2012 and have built on that under our conductor Anne van den Berg.”

She added: "Now we have some relaxing local concerts – including one to celebrate the local delicacy of our superb cabbage growers – so we will enjoy ourselves before we prepare for the National competition."

Backum retains title

Backum Brass became the third band on the weekend to retain its EuroBrass title.

They secured victory and the 1750 first prize package directed by Anno Appelo, thanks to an evocative performance of Simon Dobson’s ‘Penlee’ as well as a fine individual rendition of ‘Tripartita’ from Clenn Keizer on flugel horn.

Good enough

It proved just good enough to repel the challenge of Brass Band Constantijn Huygens conducted by Richard Fisher, despite claiming the prizes for ‘Best March’ with their rousing account of ‘Ravenswood’ and the ‘Best Soloist’ award for cornet player M J Ernest’s performance of ‘Song & Dance’ by Philip Sparke.

we have a great concert to look forward to with Harmen Vanhoorne as our guest soloist before we start work on preparation for our National Championship in December. We are determined to win there again and qualify for ScotlandDennis Vork

Results:

A Group:
Adjudicators:
Ray Farr & Russell Gray (own choice test piece)
Ray Farr & Danny Oosterman (entertainment)
Test Piece + Entertainment = Total

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven A (Erik Janssen): 93/95 = 188
Myth Forest (Hestefalltjønn) (Stig Nordhagen)
2. Brass Band De Wâldsang (Rieks van der Velde): 90/92 = 182
Vita Aeterna Variations (Alexander Comitas)
3. De Bazuin A (Klaas van der Woude): 92/88 = 180
Spiriti (Thomas Doss)
4. Provinciale Brass Band Groningen (Anno Appelo): 89/91 = 180
Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)
5. Soli Brass (Frans-Aeart Burghgraef): 88/86 = 174
Between the Moon and Mexico (Philip Sparke)

Best entertainment programme: Brass Band Schoonhoven
Best performance of own choice march: Provinciale Brass Band Groningen (Skyrider)
Best Soloist: Robbert Vos – euphonium (Brass Band Schoonhoven)

B Group:
Adjudicators: Russell Gray & Danny Oosterman

1. Brass Band Heman (Anne van den Berg): — 93
Chivalry (Martin Ellerby)
2. Brass Band de Douai (Olivier Dégardin): — 91
English Heritage (George Lloyd)
3. De Bazuin B (Bienze Ijlstra): — 89
The Saga of Haakon the Good (Philip Sparke)
4. Brass Band Excelsior (Zalk) (N/K): — 87
English Heritage (George Lloyd)

Best performance of own choice march: De Bazuin B
Best Soloist: Martijn Werkman – trombone (Brass Band Heman)

C Group:
Adjudicators: Russell Gray & Danny Oosterman

1. Backum Brass (Anno Appelo): — 93
Penlee (Simon Dobson)
2. Brass Band Constantijn Huygens (Richard Fisher): — 92
Renaissance (Peter Graham)
3. Brass Band Kunst en Vriendschap (Vincent Verhage): — 87
The Kingdom Triumphant (Eric Ball)

Best performance of own-choice march: Constantijn Huygens
Best Soloist: M J Ernest – cornet (Constantijn Huygens)