The 2013 Danish National title and invitation to compete at the 2014 European Brass Band Championship in Scotland has been won by Concord Brass.

Directed by Russell Gray, the Copenhagen based band denied reigning champion and close rivals Lyngby-Taarbæk a Nationals hat-trick by topping both the set work and own choice disciplines in a closely fought event held at a packed Skanderborg Gymasium complex in the Jutland region of the country. Local favourites Århus Brass was third.

New MD

The victory enables Concord to appear at the European Championship for the first time since 2010, although due to the MD directing the European Youth Band in Perth, they will need to find a replacement for the inspirational Scot.

Their third National success under his baton since 2009 was built on an outstanding performance of the set work, Howard Snell’s masterful arrangement of ‘Daphnis et Chloe’, which saw the band end the Friday night securing a clear margin over their nearest and fiercest rivals.

The title was eventually claimed the following day with a sparkling rendition of their own choice selection, ‘Titan’s Progress’ as they once again put clear contesting water between themselves and the rest of the four competitors.

Bold defence

Lyngby’s bold defence saw them produce two high class performances, with an exciting own choice selection of ‘Music of the Spheres’ bringing cheers from the audience, whilst Århus Brass also showed their growing contesting maturity with a well delivered rendition of ‘Red Priest’.

However, neither could do enough to stop a rampantly confident Concord, as an understandably delighted MD reflected on his latest success with a band he has helped develop over the past five years.

Excellent performance

"This is a real long term association — and one that is getting better each year," he said.

"The performance of the Ravel was excellent and they certainly topped that with a cracking ‘Titan’. It was a real pleasure to direct them and the victory is down to their hard work and commitment."

The only disappointment for Russell is that he cannot lead the band in Perth. "My commitment to the European Youth Band means I will only be able to offer them all my support from the sidelines, but I will be cheering them on."

Russell was also full of praise for the contest — and the way in which rivals and supporters bond together before the announcement of the results.

"I think it’s unique that the contest sees everyone come together for a meal before the results. Even though there is a real rivalry between the likes of Concord and Lyngby, the atmosphere is so friendly and supportive. The own choice section saw the hall packed out."

First Division

Another Celtic conductor inspired his band to success in the First Division as Welshman Huw Thomas led Nordvestjysk Brass to the title.

Their victory was built on a fine performance of the set work ‘Helios Overture’, followed by a solid rendition of their own choice selection of ‘Trittico’ to claim the honours ahead of local favourites Skanderborg Brass, who produced an exciting rendition of ‘Victorian Snapshots – On Ratcliffe Highway’.

Third place went to Dania Brass who showed their quality with table topping performance of ‘Equilibrium’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Second Division

In what turned out to be a closely matched Second Division contest, Svogerslev Brass directed by Susanne Vibæk overturned a close deficit on the set work, ‘Carnival’ by Helen Perkin into a narrow margin of victory over rivals Frederiksberg Brass, thanks to a well realised rendition of their own choice selection, ‘Excalibur’ by Jan Van der Roost.

They had led the contest after their performance of the rarely heard 1957 British Open test piece, but couldn’t quite do enough to repel the challenge of their rivals on their own choice selection of ‘Blazon’.

A little further back in third place was Frederikshavn FDF Brass, who performed ‘Chorale & Variations’ by Leighton Lucas.

The performance of the Ravel was excellent and they certainly topped that with a cracking ‘Titan’. It was a real pleasure to direct them and the victory is down to their hard work and commitmentRussell Gray

Result:

Championship Division:

Adjudicators: Valdemar Lønsted, Arne Christensen, Preben Nørgaard Christensen, Stephen Roberts, Andrew Duncan Set Work: Daphnis et Chloé (Second Suite) (Maurice Ravel arr Howard Snell) & Own Choice

Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Concord Brass (Russell Gray): 91.0/93.3 = 92.2
2. Lyngby-Taarbæk (Selmer Simonsen): 89.0/91.0 = 90.0
3. Århus Brass (Stig Mærsk): 85.7/91.0 = 88.4
4. Silkeborg Blæserne Brass (Gert Skovlod Hattesen): 85.0/86.7 = 85.9
5. FDF Christianshavn Brass (Rasmus Kærsgaard): 84.0/85.7 = 84.9

First Division:

Adjudicators: Valdemar Lønsted, Anne Crookston, Arne Christensen, Preben Nørgaard Christensen, Stephen Roberts, Andrew Duncan
Set Work: Helios Overture (Carl Nielsen arr. Erik Hammerbak) & Own Choice

Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Nordvestjysk Brass (Huw Thomas): 86.3/88.0 = 87.2
2. Skanderborg Brass (Gert Skovlod Hattesen): 83.0/88.7 = 85.9
3. Dania Brass (Dennis Aaberg Andersen): 78.3/90.0 = 84.2

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Valdemar Lønsted, Anne Crookston, Arne Christensen, Preben Nørgaard Christensen, Stephen Roberts
Set Work: Carnival (Helen Perkin) & Own Choice

Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Svogerslev Brass (Susanne Vibæk): 84.0/91.7 = 87.9
2. Frederiksberg Brass (Rasmus Kærsgaard): 86.0/88.0 = 87.0
3. Frederikshavn FDF Brass (Henrik Næser): 81.3/86.0 = 83.7
4. Hjørring Brass (Brian Nyholm Kristensen): 82.3/81.0 = 81.7
5. Sejs Blæserne (Jan Nørgaard): 83.7/79.0 = 81.4
6. Selandia Brass (Sune Wedam): 79.7/82.3 = 81.0
7. Hafnia Brass (Patrick Bergenser): 78.7/77.0 = 77.9