The fifth German National Brass Band Championships took place in the spa town of Bad Kissingen in Bavaria on the weekend, where 17 bands took part in three divisions of competition, adjudicated by Jan van der Roost, Hannes Buchegger and Robert Tucci.

Fifth win

Former European B Section champion 3BA Concert Band directed by Franz Matysiak continued their domination of the event with their fifth victory in the First Division, thanks to fine performances of Philip Sparke’s ‘Partita’, and ‘From Ancient Times’.

It enabled them to finish ahead of Cologne Concert Brass conducted by Heinrich Schmidt and Brass Band Upper Swabia Allgaeu directed by Ueli Kipfer.

Saxony Scot

In the Second Division, Brass Band Saxony, directed by Eoin Tonner from Scotland took the honours in a close run event.

Their performances of the Eric Ball’s ‘Resurgam’ and own choice selection of ‘Vitae Aeternum’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper gave them a narrow one point victory over Brass Band Swabia, conducted by Benjamin Markl, with Brass Band Regensburg, directed by Dave Lea in third.

Brass Band Saxony now hopes to be able to be invited to compete in the Challenge Section of the 2015 European Championships.

10 title

In the Third Division, victory went to Brass Band B10 directed by Joachim Rath, thanks to their performance of the set work ‘Partita’ by Edward Gregson.

3BA Concert Band directed by Franz Matysiak continued their domination of the event with their fifth victory in the First Division4BR

Results:

First Division:
1. 3BA Concert Band — 91
2. Cologne Concert Brass — 88
3. Brass Band Upper Swabia Allgaeu — 88

Best Soloist: Eb Tuba (Cologne Concert Brass)

Second Division:
1. Brass Band Saxony — 91
2. Brass Band Swabia — 90
3. Brass Band Regensburg — 88
4. Badische Brass Band — 87
5. Brass Band Munich — 87
6. Nordbayerische Brass Band — 86
7. Brass Band Brass sounds Jena — 84
8. Berlin Concert Brass — 83
9. Top Floor Brass Band — 83
10. Brass Band Düren — 82

Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Brass Band Saxony)

Third Division:
1. Brass Band B10 — 87
2. Big Breath Brass Band — 86
3. Brass Band Westphalia — 84
4. Brass In — 81

Best Soloist: Solo Euphonium (Brass Band B10)