A new chapter in Dutch banding history was written with an unexpected twist in Utrecht on the weekend, as the audience at the splendid Tivoli Vrendenburg Hall was left gaping in opened mouthed shock following Brassband De Bazuin’s first National title success since 2001.

Under the baton of conductor Klaus van der Woude, the young band from the small village of Oenkerk in Friesland in the north of the country, also secured the invitation to compete at the European Championship in 2015 after giving an inspired performance of Simon Dobson’s evocative set work, ‘Journey of the Lone Wolf’.

Dramatic

The announcement of their victory was made all the more dramatic as the points for each competing band were announced in draw order.

Tension grew, as one by one De Bazuin’s rivals were revealed to have fallen short — only to be released in the most joyous fashion by screams of delight, as their young players finally realised that a first National success since 2001, was theirs to celebrate in style.

That was something they certainly did as they poured onto the stage (and afterwards in the bar) — taking turns to have their pictures taken hugging each other with the Championship trophy (the sixth time they have won it in their history) hoisted proudly in the air.

Contrast

In contrast, the packed bars soon hummed to the sound of intense debate over the result — especially with reigning champion and pre-contest favourites, Brassband Schoonhoven, slumping to last place after their number 1 draw performance comprehensively failed to impress the adjudication team of Brett Baker, Dirk Launtenbach and Rob Goorhuis in the box.

Former champion Brass De Waldsang also left disappointed, as their bold interpretation under Rieks van der Velde, which gained a standing ovation in the hall, failed to persuade the judges, eventually ending third.

They were beaten Amsterdam Brass, as last year’s runner-up once again ended in second place thanks to a musically persuasive account under Pierre Volders as the last band of the day.

Despite impressing many with their bold collective confidence on stage, a couple of hours after their win, the De Bazuin players were still to be found in the bar staring in delighted wonderment at the National Trophy, as the scope of their success slowly but surely began to sink in.

Complex emotions

However, speaking later to the judges, it became clear that they were not only impressed by the quality of the ensemble and solo work on show throughout, but also by the colourful interpretation from their MD which they felt captured the complex personal emotions of the composer Bela Bartok, as well as the evocative Balkan musical styles that infused the highly engaging Simon Dobson score.

On a contest day when more fancied rivals did not play to their potential or produced performances blighted by minor errors and balance issues, De Bazuin’s technical security, confident soloists (especially ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award winner, trombonist Trienke de Vries) and adherence to their MDs compact musical interpretation paid off — and in the most shockingly brilliant way possible.

Denim delight for De Spijkerpakkenband

Earlier, the emerging depth of quality in the lower sections in Holland was shown, with a closely matched First Division contest won by De Spijkerpakkenband directed by Schoonhoven MD, Erik Janssen.

Kitted out in their traditional blue denim jeans and shirts, they produced a thoroughly convincing performance of Dudley Bright’s ‘Pursuing Horizons’, to turn the tables on 2013 champion Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning conducted by Anno Appelo, with Chr. Brassband Excelsior Zalk directed by Rieks van der Velde in third.

Double for De Bazuin

A highly entertaining Second Division contest also saw each of the eight competitors thoroughly enjoy their musical trip back to ancient Egypt and the reign of Rameses II.

Bertrand Moren’s colourful, filmatic set work — that ranged from the windswept pyramids to swashbuckling seafaring pharaohs, was mastered in exciting fashion by De Bazuin B, directed by Sietse Hamersma, who managed to repel the charging chariot racing rivals of Martini Brassband Groningen and Brassband Amersfoort.

As in the Championship Section though, two of the pre-contest favourites in Brassband Schoonhoven B and Excelsior (Ferwert), who have won the title five times between them in recent years, where left to reflect on their disappointments in the bar after coming fourth and fifth respectively.

Commanding Huygens

The clearest winner of the weekend was certainly Constantijn Huygens in the Third Division, who produced an outstanding performance under the direction of Richard Visser to take the title with something to spare.

In a contest that saw the rest of the field struggle somewhat to master the technical and musical challenges of Edward Gregson’s classic ‘Laudate Dominum’, their winning rendition was enhanced by some wonderful solo work and a sense of musical flow, to reclaim the title last won in 2011.

Second place went to Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen with former champion Brassband Gloria Dei in third.

First Immanuel

Oliver Waespi’s engaging ‘Legends Rumantscha’ provided each of the eight bands in the Fourth Division with ample opportunity to showcase their talents.

The title was eventually won with a well structured performance from Geref Brassband Immanuël directed by Jan Werkman, eventually taking the honours ahead of 2012 winners Chr. Brassband Hallelujah with Brassband UDI in third..

Fine venue

Meanwhile, the Dutch National Championship organisers will have left equally delighted as any winner on the weekend, after the decision to relocate the event to the more accessible city of Utrecht proved a huge success.

The impressive Tivoli Vrendenburg complex (which houses five different halls) has undergone a major upgrade over the last few years, and now provides performers and listeners alike, ample opportunity to enjoy their contest day experience.

With the main 1750 seat ‘Groote Zaal’ offering an intense atmosphere thanks to its high backed surround seating and immediate acoustic, easily accessible in house bars and food outlets, and a warm, highly professional welcome and well run event put on by the organisers, no wonder there were smiles all round — despite the announcement of the results taking place around 11.00pm each night.

Thankfully, the local licensing laws meant that banding celebrations could be enjoyed well in the early hours — something the players of Brassband De Bazuin certainly did for sure.

Despite impressing many with their bold collective confidence on stage, a couple of hours after their win the De Bazuin players were still to be found in the bar staring in delighted wonderment at the National Trophy4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Test Piece: Journey of the Lone Wolf (Simon Dobson)
Adjudicators: Dirk Launtenbach, Brett Baker, Rob Goorhuis

1. Brassband De Bazuin (Klaas van der Woude) — 95
2. Amsterdam Brass (Pierre Volders) — 93
3. Brassband de Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde) — 92
4. Van de Kreeke Brass Band Limburg (Renato Meli) — 91
5. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Richard Visser) — 90
6. Soli Brass Leeuwarden (Anne van den Berg) — 89
7. Altena Brass (Anno Appelo) — 88
8. Brassband Rijnmond (Erik van de Kolk) — 87
9. Brassband Schoonhoven A (Erik Janssen) — 86

Best Instrumentalist: Solo trombone of Brassband De Bazuin

First Division:
Test Piece: Pursuing Horizons (Dudley Bright)
Adjudicators: Dirk Launtenbach, Brett Baker, Rib Goorhuis

1. De Spijkerpakkenband (Erik Janssen) — 94
2. Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo) — 93
3. Chr. Brassband Excelsior Zalk (Rieks van der Velde) — 90
4. Brassband Breukelen (Kees Kramer) — 89
5. Kunst naar Kracht (Erik Kluin) — 88
6. Pro Rege (Anne van den Berg) — 87

Best Instrumentalist: Solo horn of Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning

Second Section:
Test Piece: The Son of Light (Betrand Moren)
Adjudicators: Manu Mallaerts, Jan dan Haan, Luc Vertommen

1. De Bazuin B (Sietse Hamersma) — 90
2. Martini Brassband Groningen (Rieks van der Velde) — 88
3. Brassband Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage) — 87
4. Brassband Schoonhoven B (Robbert Vos) — 86
5. Excelsior (Herman Sibma) — 85
6. Brassband De Lofklank (Jaap Musschenga) — 84
7. Chr. Brassband Euphonia (Syde van der Ploeg) — 83
8. Brassband David (Wilbert Zwier) — 81

Best Instrumentalist: Flugal horn of Martini Brassband Groningen

Third Section:
Test Piece: Variations on Laudate Dominum (Edward Gregson)
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis, Jan de Haan, Luc Vertommen

1. Constantijn Huygens (Richard Visser) — 95
2. Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen (Jan Werkman) — 93
3. Brassband Gloria Dei (Piet van der Heide) — 92.5
4. Brassband de Nije Bazun (Piet van der Heide) — 90
5. Brassband Looft den Heer (Paulus de Jong) — 89
6. Blaast de Bazuin (Aline Werkman-Schipper) — 88
7. Brassband Apollo (Piet Visser) — 87.5
8. Chr. Brassband Greidebrass (Dirk Vincken) — 87
9. Soli Deo Gloria (Chris van der Veen) — 86
10. Kunst en Vriendschap (Ben Ruysink) — 85
11. Backum Brass (Anno Appelo) — 84
12. Chr. Muziekvereniging De Bazuin (Hendrik de Boer) — 82
13. Brassband Hosannah (Ria Fennema) — 81

Best Instrumentalist: Euphonium of Constantijn Huygens

Fourth Section:
Test Piece: Legends Rumantscha (Oliver Waespi)
Adjudicators: Dirk Launtenbach, Dudley Bright, Manu Mallaerts

1. Geref Brassband Immanuël (Jan Werkman) — 92
2. Chr. Brassband Hallelujah (Ido Gerard Kempenaar) — 90
3. Brassband UDI (Gijs Heusinkveld) — 88
4. Felison Brass (Patricia Geertse) — 87
5. Chr. Muziekvereniging Concordia (Giuke Gerben Wielenga) — 86
6. Brassband Ere Zij God (Gerben Huizinga) — 85
7. Euphonia Ternaard (Gatse Hylkema) — 84
8. Soli Deo Gloria (Reimer Jan Rondaan) — 83

Best Instrumentalist: Cornet of Geref Brassband Immanuël

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