Brass Band Buizingen produced a brace of performances described as 'sensational' and 'immense' as they claimed the 2015 Belgian National title in memorable style at the splendid Cultural Centre Zwaneberg in Heist-op-den-Berg.

Stunning Buizingen

Stunning renditions of the set-work, 'Trance' and their own-choice selection of 'Metropolis 1927' saw the band from the small village south west of Brussels lift the National Trophy for the first time since 2012 as they secured a clear-cut victory over hat-trick seeking rivals Brass Band Willebroek, with Noord-Limburgse in third.

Led by MD Luc Vertommen, Buizingen stamped their authority on the contest from the first notes of Thomas Doss's mesmeric composition — a work that demands acute awareness of ensemble balance and musical atmosphere as well as blinding technique.

They certainly did that and more according to the judges Jan De Haan, Alan Morrison and Mark Wilkinson, as they described it in their various remarks as; '...a performance of immense proportions that dazzled us with technique but had an underlying security that brought the music off the page to dance around the room.

One stated, '...the tenderness almost made us cry', whilst another added, '...the transitions were so well organised and had the energy that only the best bands can produce.'

Better to come

However, better was to come as on their own-choice selection the trio was even more impressed.

'A sensational performance that had all the attributes of a world class brass band,' one wrote, whilst another added, '...stylish elegance, rhythmic veracity, elaborate poise and a technique to die for — all pulled together by musicianship of the highest order.'

Two of the best

"As you can imagine, we didn't get much sleep after the victory,"Luc Vertommen later admitted to 4BR. "The band gave two of the best performances I think we may have ever produced on the contest stage — something which was shown by the remarks from three renowned judges.

We are of course delighted to have regained the National title and to have done so playing two wonderful pieces of music from Thomas Doss and Peter Graham which we thoroughly enjoyed working on."

Luc added: "We are now going to enjoy Christmas before we start work preparing for our next major concert on Valentine's Day in February. We will then defend our Flemish Open title in Mechelen before starting our preparations for Lille and the European Championship."

No Willebroek hat-trick

The victory meant an end to Willebroek's hopes of claiming a record 20th National title, as well as another hat-trick under the baton of Frans Violet, as they could not make up the ground lost on a performance of 'Trance' that finished 12 points behind Buizingen.

Despite a wonderful rendition of their own-choice of 'The Triumph of Time', the reigning champion could only finish second to bravely relinquish their two-year grip on the National trophy.

Same story

It was much the same story with third placed Noord-Limburgse under Ivan Meylemans, as they could not build on a bold set-work performance to push Buizingen close on their own choice selection of 'As if a voice were in them'.

Behind the top three heavyweights, there were variable performances from the other competitors, with Brass Band Leieland gaining their best ever top flight National result to finish ahead of 2008 champion Festival Brass Band and Brass Band Heist.

First Division:

In the First Division, one of Belgium's rapidly rising ensembles, Brass Band Scaldis from Antwerp, comfortably retained their title with a brace of classy performances under the baton of former Willebroek principal cornet Raf Van Looveren.

The foundation for their success came with a commanding rendition of the enjoyable set-work, 'L'Effet Divers' by Stan Nieuwenhuis, whilst it was cemented by the appropriately named 'Brass Triumphant' by Gareth Wood.

It enabled the band to beat off the strong challenge of Brass Band Bacchus, who gave a rousing rendition of 'A London Overture' as their own-choice selection, with Brass Band Panta Rhei in third.

Happy

"We are very happy,"their delighted secretary Kristel Cavents told 4BR. "To win once more is a great achievement for our band — one which means we have won three titles in a row (they won the Second Division in 2013).

We are a family band with players giving a great deal of time from jobs and other commitments to enjoy playing under Raf. We do not now know what the future holds as we are obliged to be promoted, but we want to keep improving and making progress with Raf who inspires us each time we take to the stage."

Second Division:

Another upwardly mobile band also claimed a second successive National title, as Kon BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas under Danny Aerdn topped last year's Third Division success with another victory.

Well structured performances of the set-work 'Variations on a Swiss Folk Song' by Philip Sparke and 'Vivat!' by Tom Davoren gave them a clear margin of victory over rivals Brass Band Euterpe.

Third Division:

In the Third Division there was a first National victory to celebrate for Dender Brass as the band, formed just three years ago, won a close fought battle with rivals United Brass.

The band gave two of the best performances I think we may have ever produced on the contest stage — something which was shown by the remarks from three renowned judgesBuizingen MD, Luc Vertommen

Results:

Championship Section:
Set Work: Trance (Thomas Doss) and Own Choice
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson, Jan de Haan, Alan Morrison

Set Work placing (out of 300) + Own Choice (out of 300) = %Total

1. Brass Band Buizingen (Luc Vertommen): 291/294 = 97.50
2. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet): 279/291 = 95
3. Noord-Limburgse Brass Band (Ivan Meylemans): 285/276 = 93.50
4. Brass Band Leieland (Sam Werbrouck): 276/279 = 92.50
5. Festival Brass Band (Steven Verhaert): 273/282 = 92.50
6. Brass Band Heist (Bert van Thienen): 270/273 = 90.50
7. Brass Band Zele (Bart van der Strieckt): 261/255 = 86.00
8. Kortrijk Brass Band (Ward de Ketelaere): 249 252 = 83.50

First Division:
Set Work: L'Effet Divers (Stan Nieuwenhuis) and Own Choice
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson, Jan de Haan, Alan Morrison

Set Work placing (out of 300) + Own Choice (out of 300) = %Total

1. Brass Band Scaldis (Raf Van Looveren): 279/273 = 92.00
2. Brass Band Bacchus (Bart van Neyghem): 270/267 = 89.50
3= Brass Band Panta Rhei (Paul Voet): 273/255 = 88.00
3= Brass Band Gent (Lieven Dobbelaere): 267/261 = 88.00
5. Braz'Art (Geert Verschaeve): 264/258 = 87.00

Second Division:
Set Work: Diversions: Variations on a Swiss Folk Song (Philip Sparke) and Own Choice
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson, Jan de Haan, Alan Morrison

Set Work placing (out of 300) + Own Choice (out of 300) = %Total

1. Kon BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas (Danny Aerdn): 276/258 = 89.0
2. Brass Band Euterpe (Roland van Buggenhout): 267/255 = 87.00

Third Division:
Set Work: Partita (Edward Gregson) and Own Choice
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson, Jan de Haan, Alan Morrison

Set Work placing (out of 300) + Own Choice (out of 300) = %Total

1. Dender Brass (Joeri van Hove): 273/261 = 89.00
2. United Brass (Frank Vantroyen): 267/264 = 88.50