If the celebrations of the Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern players were joyful enough on Saturday evening, they were nothing compared to those displayed by the youthful compatriots of Liberty Brass Band Junior less than 24 hours later.

They made it a historic ‘double’ triumph for the Swiss banding nation by claiming the Premier Section European Youth Championship title under their talented conductor Christoph Luchsinger, to take the wonderful Kathryn Neale Trophy back to their bandroom in Waldkirch in the St Gallen area of Eastern Switzerland.

It proved to be a fully deserved victory, as the 40 players gave an outstanding performance of the set work, ‘Resurgam’, followed by the trombone solo ’Blue Bells of Scotland’ featuring Sandro Oberholzer, and the exotically coloured ‘Vertex’ by Stephan Hodel.

High class

In a high class competition for adjudicators Bruce Fraser, Preben Norgaard Christiensen and Les Neish to ponder as they sat in the open in Perth Concert Hall, it enabled them to secure the narrowest of single point victories over Scotland’s representatives Carnoustie & District Youth with Northamptonshire Youth Brass in third.

As the young players hugged, kissed and roared their delight in high pitched unison, the friendly cross nation atmosphere of the day was further enhanced supporters handing out delicious Swiss chocolate and thanking people both in and out of the hall for the warm welcome offered to them on their trip to Scotland.

Amazingly, the band, which is made up of players aged between 11 and 19, is also the Second Section Swiss National Champion after winning the title in Montreux in November last year, and that quality was certainly evident as they brought out the emotion of Eric Ball’s iconic work, balancing it with the well played solo feature and kaleidoscopic close.

Wonderful event

Christoph Luchsinger later told 4BR: "We can’t believe it. We will now enjoy the evening and look forward to the long journey back home boosted by our great experience for our young players.

It has been a wonderful event."

Adjudicator Les Neish also later confirmed that it was that overall quality that clinched the title.

"The performance of ‘Resurgam’ was outstanding, and was balanced by a very good soloist and an excellent close with a work that showed that they could play in such a contrasting style."

Proud effort

Although there was disappointment for the multi award winning Carnoustie & District Youth Band, they could be proud of their efforts under the baton of Michael Robertson as they pushed the winners all the way to the title.

Opening with Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s, ‘Enter the Galaxy’, tuba soloist Ross Knight produced an outstanding solo performance of ‘Gospel’ from Andy Scott’s ‘Salt of the Earth’, before a well shaped set work led into the patriotically inspired ‘Dundonnell’ from ‘Hymn of the Highlands’.

Northamptonshire Youth Brass also returned home with their contesting reputation greatly enhanced as they showcased their talents with ‘Peel Park’ from ‘A Lowry Sketchbook’, followed by the set work and the plate smashing ‘Zeibekikos’ finale from Philip Wilby’s, ‘Euphonium Concerto’, splendidly performed by Martyn Hoffman.

Development joy for Manger

Earlier in the day there were a host of excellent performances to enjoy in the Development Section, as five young bands certainly made the most of their opportunity to represent their countries with musical pride.

In the end the adjudication panel was bowled over by the outstanding musicianship of Manger Skulemusikklag from the Hordaland region just outside Bergen.

Just 150 pupils

The band draws its players from the school’s 150 pupils, and the overall quality of the clever ‘Kjnagutter og Raevediltere’, and the set work, ‘Little Suite for Brass Band’ by Malcolm Arnold, under the baton of conductor Thorgeir Thunstveit, was superb.

However, it was the beautiful performance of the euphonium solo ‘Peace’ by Ingvild Aagaard-Nilsen, the daughter of composer Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen that stole the show — winning the ‘Best Soloist’ prize, much to obvious delight of her proud mother Helga Vetas in the hall, and bringing a tear to the eye to EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg!

Following their performance, MD Thorgeir Tunstveit told 4BR that he was exceptionally proud of his players. "They all love the band and the opportunities it brings," he said.

"Of course we wanted to come to the contest and try and win the title, but more importantly it was a great opportunity for them to enjoy brass band contesting in another country, to meet new friends and just have fun."

Energetic Dalmellington

Dalmellington Junior Band also showed that the future of community banding in Scotland is in vibrant hands, as under the energetic Ian Taylor they did their nation proud in coming runner-up.

‘Pound the Streets’, followed by the cornet duet ‘Sandy & Jock’, the set work and the swagger march, ‘The New Colonial’ saw them push the eventual winners all the way to the title.

It also proved to be good enough to just pip English representative’s Rochdale Borough Youth, after they gave a bold account of themselves under Steve Walsh, with an eclectic programme that featured ‘Prelude on Tallis’, followed by the cornet solo ‘Apex’, the set work, ‘Encontro Marcado’ and ‘Malaquena’.

Encouraging aspects

One of the most encouraging aspects of the contest was shown in the appearances, as well as the performances, of the other competing bands, with the packed ranks of permanently smiling young players of 1st Old Boys Youth Band from Northern Ireland and Moray Concert Brass, from the north west of Scotland showing that the contest certainly lived up to its development title.

Both bands were a delight — displaying their emerging talents under conductors Jacklin Bingham and Glenn Munroe with bags of enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment.

With the backroom volunteers of the Scottish Brass Band Association ensuring that the event ran smoothly and that the needs of the bands were supported from the time they arrived at Perth Concert Hall, the day ran smoothly, with the Band of the King’s Division providing a short upbeat concert before the announcement of the results — and those memorably joyful celebrations.

We can’t believe it. We will now enjoy the evening and look forward to the long journey back home boosted by our great experience for our young playersLiberty Brass Band Junior MD, Christoph Luchsinger

Results:

Premier Section:

Adjudicators:
Preben Norgaard Christensenr, Bruce Fraser, Les Neish
Test Piece: Resurgam (Eric Ball) and Own Choice programme

1. Liberty Brass Band Junior: (Christoph Luchsinger) — 91
2. Carnoustie & District Youth: (Michael Robertson) — 90
3. Northamptonshire County Youth: (Bradley Turnball) — 89

Best Instrumentalist: Ross Knight (tuba)- Carnoustie & District Youth

Development Section:
Adjudicators:
Preben Norgaard Christensenr, Bruce Fraser, Les Neish
Set Work: Little Suite for Brass Band (Malcolm Arnold)

1. Manger Skulemusikklag: (Thorgeir Thunstveit) — 90
2. Dalmellington Junior: (Ian Taylor) — 88
3. Rochdale Borough Youth: (Steve Walsh) — 87
4. 1st Old Boys Youth Band: (Jacklin Bingham) — 85
5. Moray Concert Brass: (Glenn Munro) — 83

Best Instrumentalist: Ingvild Aagard-Nilsen (euphonium) — Manger Skulemusikklag