After four years of frustrating near misses, a commanding Fountain City Brass Band finally regained the North American Brass Band Championship title held at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Outstanding

Under the direction of their Principal Guest Conductor Roger Oyster (above) they produced two outstanding performances of the set work, ‘Spiriti’ by Thomas Doss and their own choice selection of ‘The Divine Right’ by Philip Harper to take the title back to Kansas for the first time since 2010 and for the fifth time in their history.

Fountain City gained the almost universal approval of the trio of judges, James Curnow, Eric Alexander and Kevin Norbury (set test), Ronald Holz, William Himes and Stephen Bulla (own choice) to secure victory over second place Atlantic Brass Band, with 2013 champion, Princeton Brass Band in third.

Under the baton of Salvatore Scarpa, Atlantic performed Philip Wilby’s ‘Jazz’ as their own-choice selection, with Princeton led by Dr Stephen Allen playing ‘A Tale As Yet Untold’ by Philip Sparke.

With the inventive scoring system weighing 60%/40% to the set work (in each section), it gave Fountain City as decisive overall victory.

First Section

In the First Section, victory went to the Canadians of Weston Silver directed by Larry Shields, with former Black Dyke soprano start Paul Duffy playing horn in their ranks.

After winning the Second Section title last year, they once again gained universal approval from the judges, William Himes, Stephen Bulla and Ronald Holz for their performances of the set work, ‘Brass Triumphant’ by Gareth Wood and their own choice selection of ‘The Saga of Haakon the Good’ by Philip Sparke.

Georgia Brass Band conducted by Joe Johnson was second with Pikes Peak Brass Band under Debbie Baker in third.

Second Section:

There was a wonderful victory for Dublin Silver Band to celebrate in the Second Section as under Dr Timothy Jameson they claimed victory thanks to a brace of bold performances of the set work, ‘The Kingdom of Dragons’ by Philip Harper and their own-choice selection of ‘Prisms’ by Peter Graham.

After coming fourth last year, it proved good enough to hold off the strong challenge of runner-up, Capital City Brass Band directed by Dr Kenneth Kroesche, with Brass Band of Huntsville in third.

Third Section:

One of the great pioneers of the British style brass band, Dr Keith Wilkinson led Chapel Brass Band to the Third Section title for the second time in the last three years.

The former GUS and William Davis Construction Group Band MD oversaw two fine performances of the set work, ‘Dancing in the Park’ by Peter Graham and their own choice selection of ‘Saint-Saens Variations’ by Philip Sparke to take the title by the narrowest of margins from runner-up Mansfield University Brass Band.

Their own choice selection was the classic Malcolm Arnold work, ‘Little Suite for Brass Band No 1’, was supplemented by the equally classic march, ‘The Cossack’, with third placed Milwaukee performing ‘Aspects of Praise’ by William Himes’.

Youth double

There was a wonderful double celebration for Fountain City after their talented youngsters claimed the Youth title under the eager direction of Lee Harrelson after a fine battle with rivals, and defending champion, Motor City Youth, conducted by Bona Opatich.

Both bands produced fine performances of the set work and their own choice selections.

Before the commencement of the Championship Section on Friday night, local favourites Old Crown Brass Band performed to take the Open Section title.

Highlight

One of the highlights of the event this year was the presentation of the NABBA Presidential Award to Stephen Bulla, who later wrote on the official Brass Band Bridge website that he was ‘honored to receive it and, more importantly, grateful to be a part of this great community of North American brass band enthusiasts.’

Under the direction of their Principal Guest Conductor Roger Oyster they produced two outstanding performances of the set work, ‘Spiriti’ by Thomas Doss and their own choice selection of ‘The Divine Right’4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Set Work: Spiriti (Thomas Doss)
Adjudicators:
James Curnow, Eric Alexander, Kevin Norbury (set work)
Ronald Holz, William Himes, Stephen Bulla (own choice)

1. Fountain City Brass Band: (Roger Oyster): 291.4
2. Atlantic Brass Band: (Salvatore Scarpa): 284.2
3. Princeton Brass Band: (Dr Stephen Allen): 275.6
4. James Madison University Brass Band: (Kevin Stees): 274.2
5. Chicago Brass Band: (Dr Colin Holman): 269.8

First Section:
Set Work: Brass Triumphant (Gareth Wood)
Adjudicators:
William Himes, Stephen Bulla, Ronald Holz

1. Weston Silver Band: (Larry Shields): 287.2
2. Georgia Brass Band: (Joe Johnson): 276.8
3. Pikes Peak Brass Band: (Debbie Baker): 272.5
4. Illinois Brass Band: (Stephen Squires): 266.8
5. Central Ohio Brass Band: (Jessica Sneeringer): 259.1
6. Motor City Brass Band: (Craig Strain): 254.0
7. Natural State Brass Band: (Russell Morris): 251.4
8. Fillmore Symphonic Brass: (Dr Stephen Lytle): 247.5

Second Section:
Set Work: The Kingdom of Dragons (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators:
Kevin Norbury, Eric Alexander, James Curnow

1. Dublin Silver Band: (Dr Timothy Jameson): 282.8
2. Capital City Brass Band: (Dr Kenneth Kroesche): 279.2
3. Brass Band of Huntsville: (Dr W David Spencer): 275.2
4. Massanutten Brass Band: (Kevin Stees): 274.2
5. Bend in the River Brass Band: (Dr Faril Bunner): 271.3
6. Fountain City Youth Brass Academy: (Helen Harrelson): 269.5

Third Section:
Set Work: Dancing in the Park (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators:
Kevin Norbury, Eric Alexander, James Curnow

1. Chapel Brass Band: (Dr Keith Wilkinson): 277.3
2. Mansfield Brass Band: (Dr Nathan Rinnert): 277.0
3. Milwaukee Festival Brass: (Mark A Taylor): 274.2
4. Rockville Brass Band: (Nigel Horne): 262.1
5. Crossroads Brass Band: (Don Bookout): 243.8

Youth Section:
Set Work: A Cambrian Suite (Michael Ball)
Adjudicators: Kevin Norbury, James Curnow, Eric Alexander

1. Fountain City Youth Brass Academy: (Lee Harrelson): 280.8
2. Motor City Youth Brass Band: (Bona Opatich): 263.6

Open Section:
Adjudicators: Kevin Norbury, James Curnow, Stephen Alexander
1. Old Crown Brass Band