Brass Band Rijnmond has won the inaugural Dutch Open Championship, which took place in Lawei Drachten on the weekend.
Under the direction of their young conductor Erik van de Kolk, the Rotterdam based band upset the form book by beating rivals, and recent Belgian and Dutch National champions, Brass Band Buizingen and Brass Band Schoonhoven to take the title.
Earthrise
The band's 30 minute programme opened with 'Echoes of Friction' by European Composer Competition winner Stan Nieuwenhuis, before euphonium star Rodin Rosendahl gave an outstanding performance of Peter Meechan's 'Sparta'. The band's own choice test piece selection was Nigel Clarke's 'Earthrise'.
Despite their star soloists Harmen Vanhoorne & Glenn Van Looy taking the solo prize, and the band producing a thrilling rendition of 'Audivi Media Nocte', Brass Band Buizingen couldn't quite do enough to take the title back to Belgium, whilst Brass Band Schoonhoven's evocative rendition of 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' could only secure them third place.
Section winners
Brass Band Oefening en Uitspanning Wijk en Aalburg was the sole entrant in the First Division, producing a fine performance of 'Chivalry', whilst the Second Division title went to Chr. Brass Band Euphonia Wolvega
Results:
Championship Division:
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Arfon Owen
1. Brass Band Rijnmond (Erik van der Kolk) — 96
2. Brass Band Buizingen (Luc Vertommen) — 95
3. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Guy Audenaert) — 92
Solo Prize: Harmen Vanhoorne & Glenn Van Looy (Brass Band Buizingen)
First Division:
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Arfon Owen
1. Brass Band Oefening en Uitspanning Wijk en Aalburg (Chris Derikx) — 91
Solo Prize: Erik van Ooijen
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Arfon Owen
1. Chr. Brass Band Euphonia Wolvega (Syde van der Ploeg) — 90
2. Brass Band Constantijn Huygens Appingedam (Richard Visser) — 89
3. Cologne Concert Brass Keulen (Duitsland) (Heinrich Schmidt) — 87
4. Brass Band Looft den Heer Beetgumermolen (Paulus de Jong) — 84
5. Brass Band Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage) — 83
6. Brass Band David Zwolle (Wilbert Zwier) — 82
Solo Prize: Arne Schepers (Brass Band David Zwolle)
Most Innovative Programme: Brass Band Euphonia Wolvega