*
banner

Report & Results: 2014 Austrian National Championship

Brassband Oberösterreich led the way at the inaugural Austrian National Brass Band Championships to book their place in Freiburg.

Winners
 

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

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Phillip Lawrence

ARCM PGRNCM MFTCL ARCM B.Mus
Composer, conductor, teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd