The Flowers Band produced ample evidence of their European-wide contesting credentials on the weekend, as they claimed the 19th French Open Championship title in emphatic style in the beautiful Loire Valley town of Amboise.

The West of England Area champion certainly shrugged off the disappointment of their recent failure to qualify for the British Open in the rather less bucolic surroundings of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with the type of imposing musical élan so beloved of their French hosts.

Enthusiastic acclaim

The announcement of the result was made during the band’s Gala Concert performance, with the presentation of the trophies greeted with enthusiastic acclaim by the 1500 or so locals and fellow players packed into the stiflingly hot Salle Claude Ménard Theatre.

Finally, after two hours of lip sapping playing and a brace of encores, MD Paul Holland managed to get his hands on the French Open trophy as his exhausted players enjoyed the rest of the night in well-hydrated celebration before their trip back home the following morning.

Earlier in the day the band won the Whit Friday style march contest with their rousing rendition of ‘The Cossack’.

Duty free cash

At their third attempt, Flowers also became the first English band to win the French Open since 2006 as they bagged 1900 Euros in prize money to spend in duty free at Calais.

Allan Withington led a youthful Stavanger into second place, with 2012 European B Section champion, Austrian Brass Band directed by Uwe Koeller in third.

Memorable

Paul Holland told 4BR that the whole French Open weekend was a memorable one for his band.

"I’ve played at some great events over the years, but this was very special," he said.

"The atmosphere and the reception given by the audience both at the contest and the Gala Concert was amazing. The band enjoyed every minute of the trip and played superbly. We will love to come back here again for certain; it really is one of the best brass band events we have been involved in."

Flowers 25-minute winning programme opened with the Jonathan Bates arrangement of Samuel Hazo’s ‘Ride’, followed by an outstanding ‘Best Soloist’ performance of ‘Memory’ by soprano star Paul Richards.

The high tempo ‘Romany Fire Dance’ was the precursor for a high class rendition of the set work, ‘Harmony Music’, which gave the band a commanding margin of victory over their Norwegian, Austrian and French rivals.

Superb performance

The adjudication team of David Horsfield, Pascal Eicher, Peter Graham and Dennis Wilby certainly enjoyed the music on offer by competing bands.

David told 4BR: "Amboise is a beautiful venue for a brass band contest, and despite the hot weather all the bands performed wonderfully well. Flowers in particular were very impressive, with a superb soloist and outstanding performance of ‘Harmony Music’."

First Section:

In the First Section, there was a battle between the Netherlands and the UK, with Delta Brass Zeeland eventually coming out on top directed by Arie Stolk, as they repelled the challenge of Alder Valley Brass conducted by Roger Burke.

They Dutch opened with ‘Enter the Galaxies’, before Eb tuba Rene Pasenier gave a fine performance of ’Basso Continuo’ and the set work, ‘Within the Paths of Righteousness’ by Jonathan Bates.

Second & Third Sections:

There was another English victory to celebrate in the Second Section as Fulham conducted by Rob Richardson took the honours ahead of their French rivals Brass Band Concordia.

Their victory was built on an excellent performance of the set work ‘Purcell Variations’ by Kenneth Downie, balanced with the opening ‘Intrada’ – ‘Ein Fest Burg’ and a wonderful ‘Concert Etude’ by principal cornet Clare Jenneson that gained a shout of ‘Bravo!’ from a delighted French fan.

Band spokesperson Matthew Pitt told 4BR that the band’s first trip to the French Open was one to remember.

"We had a great time. The organisation was excellent with a guide provided to show around the town, the weather was glorious and the band played exceptionally well. You can see why it has become such a popular event – and we would love to come back to defend out title."

In the Third Section there was plenty of local cheer as the youthful Brass Band Junior Du CCR de Tours produced a fine performance of ‘Hollywood’ to take the honours.

March contest

On Saturday morning Chris Jeans adjudicated the Whit Friday style march contest in Place Michel Debré, where once again Flowers pipped Stavanger for the top prize.

After their contest performance each band (with the exception of Flowers who were to perform at the Gala Concert) played relaxed half-hour programmes for the large crowds outside the Chateau and in the Place des AFN.

The Gala Concert saw Flowers on thrilling form with a programme that featured solos from Andrew Smith (cornet), Paul Richards (soprano), William Norman (flugel), Andy Hicks (euphonium), Ben Stratford (baritone) and Rob Marsh, David Barnard and James Case (trombones).

20th anniversary

David Horsfield later told 4BR: "It is always good to see so many regular visitors in the town every year and the terrific organisers Jacques Gaudet and Pascal Caraty are already making plans for a special 20th anniversary event in 2014 over the weekend of 6th/7th/8th June."

The band enjoyed every minute of the trip and played superbly. We will love to come back here again for certain; it really is one of the best brass band events we have been involved inPaul Holland

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Pascal Eicher, Peter Graham, David Horsfield, Dennis Wilby

1. Flowers (Paul Holland) — 118.75
2. Stavanger (Allan Withington) — 116.5
3. Austrian Brass (Uwe Koeller) — 115.75
4. Exo Brass (Dylan Corley) — 114.5

Best Soloist: Paul Richard – soprano (Flowers)

First Section:
Adjudicators: Pascal Eicher, Peter Graham, David Horsfield, Dennis Wilby

1. Delta Brass Zeeland (Arie Stolk) — 115.0
2. Alder Valley (Roger Burke) — 111.75

Second Section:
Adjudicators: Pascal Eicher, Peter Graham, David Horsfield, Dennis Wilby

1. Fulham (Rob Richardson) — 112.50
2. Brass Band Concordia (N/K) — 108.50

Third Section:
Adjudicators: Pascal Eicher, Peter Graham, David Horsfield, Dennis Wilby

1. Brass Band Junior Du CCR de Tours (N/K) — 109.50

March Contest:
Adjudicator: Chris Jeans

1. Flowers
2. Stavanger

Outside Entertainment:
Chateau:
Adjudicator: Margaret Wilby

1. Austrian Brass
Best Soloist: Christian Morth – soprano (Austrian Brass)

Place d'Amboise:
Adjudicator: Jenny Horsfield

1. Exo Brass
Best Soloist: Tim Lain — xylophone (Alder Valley Brass)

With thanks to David Horsfield