The inaugural Austrian National Brass Band Championships took place at a packed out Kulturzentrum Bräuhaus in Eferding, Upper Austria on the weekend.

The enthusiastic atmosphere was stoked by a number of outstanding performances, as the six competing bands took the opportunity to showcase their talents in the Championship and Challenge Sections on the set works, ‘Of Distant Memories’ by Edward Gregson and the rather appropriately named ‘Voyage of Discovery’ by Goff Richards.

High class

In what proved to be a high class top flight event it was Brassband Oberösterreich directed by Ian Porthouse that raised the impressive Championship Trophy to book their place at the European Championships in Freiburg next year.

Meanwhile, with the British brass band culture now establishing itself in the country thanks in part to the competitive success of Oberösterreich on the European stage, there was further compelling evidence of the progress being made by the quality of performances on show in the Challenge Section.

Red Eagle

In the end, R.E.T. Brass Band (Red Eagle Tyrol Brass Band), conducted by Andreas Lackner, one of two new bands formed recently in the Tyrol area, took the title and will now look forward to also representing their country in the European Challenge Section event next year in Germany.

Impression

The overall quality of the performances on show certainly made an impression on the winning conductor, Ian Porthouse, as well as adjudicator Tom Brevik, when they spoke to 4BR.

“If this is the standard of playing at the very first National, then the rest of Europe better watch out,” Ian said.

“Oberösterreich is such an outstanding band, but we worked so hard together in the week leading up to the competition. The level of professionalism is staggering. It was a real privilege to direct the band and to be able to help them claim a historic Championship victory.

This was no easy win for Oberösterreich. The standard was very high indeed from both Fröschl Hall and Austrian Brassband Graz who were led by two outstanding musicians.”

Ian was also impressed by the quality of rival bands and of those in the Challenge Section.

“I’m sure now that the National contest has got off to such a fine start even more bands of this quality will soon emerge.

The standard in the Challenge Section certainly surprised me. Austria could soon be producing top class bands at all competitive levels.”

Outstanding

Meanwhile Tom Brevik was also equally impressed. “Oberösterreich was outstanding, but it was noticeable how their sound has changed and has become much more blended in a ‘traditional’ brass band manner. Theirs was a very fine winning performance that in the judge’s opinion would have ranked up there with the very best in Europe.”

The Challenge Section also impressed too. “The correct foundations are certainly being put in place,” Tom added. “The quality is emerging fast – aided by excellent musicians enjoying themselves playing brass band music. The signs are very encouraging.”

Annual event

Thomas Beiganz, Director of the Landesmusikschulen Eferding und Alkove, where the contest was held, and one of the leading driving forces behind the Championship, told 4BR that it is now hoped to make it an annual event.

“It has been a very successful first Championship, and now we hope it is the first of many more to come. We have provided a foundation on which to build, so I hope the future of Austrian brass banding is now very good.”

It was a real privilege to direct the band and to be able to help them claim a historic Championship victoryMD, Ian Porthouse

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Tom Brevik, Oliver Waespi, Philippe Bach

1. Brassband Oberösterreich (Ian Porthouse) — 96
2. Brassband Fröschl Hall (Josef Laube) -93
3. Austrian Brassband Graz (Uwe Köller) — 91

Challenge Section:
Adjudicators: Tom Brevik, Oliver Waespi, Philippe Bach

1. R.E.T. Brassband (Andreas Lackner) — 95
2. OÖ.Jugendbrassband (Karl Geroldinger) -94
3. Brassband Tirol (Hermann Pallhuber) — 92