Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag has been crowned Norwegian National Champion for a record 16th time in Bergen, in what proved to be the closest ever three-way battle for domestic supremacy in the contest's 38 year history.

The ultimate margin of victory over rivals Manger Musikklag and Stavanger Brass was a minuscule 0.25 points over two days of intense competition.

Pride and relief

Little wonder the celebrations of the Eikanger players were a mixture of pride and relief as they heard the news relayed to them at their traditional pre-results base at the packed home of management member Viggo Bjorge.

Much like the contest's set-work, 'Searching for Light' inspired by diametric opposites that finally fuse together, Band Treasurer Eirik Helland was left to receive the post results plaudits on stage from supporters and rivals alike, almost in a state of victorious isolation.

However, he was not left alone for too long to carry the magnificent National Trophy back to Eikanger's home, as a little later members of the band celebrated their victory together with him, long into the early hours at the famous 'Brass Night' party.

Eye popping tension

Before the results denouement, the tension in a packed Grieghallen auditorium was racked up to eye-popping levels, as it was announced that the narrowest of margins separated the bands who between them had won the title on 32 occasions since 1979.

With the thorns on the stems of the presentational red roses almost drawing blood in the tightly clutched palms of the three representatives left on stage, it was defending champion Stavanger announced in third place.

At that point, betting experts would have perhaps put their spare Krone on Manger reclaiming the title for the first time since 2010, as earlier they received awards for 'Best Soloist' (bass trombonist Camilla Soderstrom Tveit) and 'Best Section' (Euphoniums & Tubas) for their own-choice rendition of 'Old Licks Bluesed Up'. It wasn't to be.

Gut wrenching

Moments later, unbridled delight for Eikanger was contrasted with gut-wrenching disappointment for Manger, as for the fifth time in six years they came runner-up.

It was blow made all the more more heavy as it transpired they had failed to top the judges results in either the set-work or own-choice disciplines, despite producing a brace of performances under Cory MD Philip Harper that brought the Grieghallen audience to its feet in acclaim.

Instead, the massive National Trophy, the prestigious King's Cup and 66,000 Krone in prize money went once more to Eikanger — their sixth success conducted by Black Dyke's Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs in an association that stretches back to the 1990s.

The band will now represent Norway at the 2017 European Championship in Ostend.

Redemption

It was something of a personal redemption for both the band and MD as their players and Eirik Helland told 4BR. "It has been wonderful to have Prof Childs back with us," he said. "He is a musician who commands the greatest respect — and the players have enjoyed everything he has done with us.

We knew Manger had given two superb performances, but we have an amazing spirit with Eikanger that Prof Childs brought out, that says we are never beaten. That was shown this weekend."

Delighted MD

Meanwhile, a delighted MD also believed that his band had given a 'performance to remember'.

Prof Childs told 4BR: "This is always a very close contest — last year both Eikanger and Manger had the same points and ended up 2nd and 3rd respectively with Stavanger winning.

That's why we worked so hard together on the set-work and why it proved to be so telling in gaining 99 out of 100 points. It was a wonderful performance to remember from everyone."

Tribute

Black Dyke's Director of Music also paid tribute to the preparation of Eikanger's Resident MD, Reid Gilje. "Reid is such a wonderful musician with his work providing the foundation for our success."

In response, Viggo Bjorge commented: "As our celebrations showed, we are delighted for Prof Childs who has now won six Norwegian Nationals titles with us."

None happier

No player could also have been happier than principal cornet Dave Morton, who last year endured a mechanical breakage on his instrument halfway through their own-choice performance, but who on this occasion led the band to victory with a flawless personal contribution.

He enjoyed the post contest 'Brass Night' with his partner Birgitte Bjornstatter Bruget, who happens to be the principal trombone of Manger — although both were having a great time!

"The result could have gone to any of the top three bands," he graciously said. "Manger was superb, so to be able to beat them on that form was special."

Nothing more

With them was conductor Philip Harper who also offered his congratulations to the winners and to his own Norwegian stars.

"Well done to Eikanger on yet another National title, but congratulations to Manger. I couldn't have asked for anything more from my players over the two days — they were simply magnificent."

It was the same response from Allan Withington, as he reflected with his usual sense of proportion on a result that saw Stavanger end third on Stig Nordhagen's set-work, but come first on their own-choice of 'Trance' by Thomas Doss.

"Congratulation of course to Eikanger and commiserations to Manger, but that is the nature of contesting — especially here in Norway.

We perhaps had a little bit too much to do to make up some lost ground, but the performance of 'Trance' was fantastic, and I'm very proud of my players."

Jaren delight

So too was a delighted Howard Evans after he led the youthful Jaren Hornmusikkforening into a deserved fourth place. He was seen partying with his players well into the night!

There was also a wonderful sense of celebration in seeing Howard Snell return to the contest with Bjorsvik Brass, as he inspired his more 'mature' players — many of whom had played under him when Eikanger won four National and two European titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s — to a fine fifth place.

A brace of consistent performances from Olso Brass secured sixth just ahead of Krohnengen.

Won and lost

The contest was perhaps won and lost on the Friday afternoon, as Stig Nordhagen's engrossing composition inspired by the twin dichotomies of darkness and light, brought superb playing and varied interpretations from the 10 elite contenders.

With the NMF giving the task of separating the bands out to three fine musicians with little or no brass banding backgrounds (an orchestral bass trombonist, percussionist and violinist), there were a number of raised eyebrows both before and after the announcement of the results — although there were also many people who felt that the organiser's decision to once again seek a broader musical base of adjudication appreciation had been fully justified.

Almost insurmountable

In the end the trio awarded Eikanger an almost insurmountable 99 points for their precisely delivered rendition, with Manger's more colourful approach two points behind and Stavanger a point further back.

Although 4BR was unable to gain comment from Aline Nistad, Manuel Hofstatter and Lars-Erik ter Jung, the own-choice judges certainly made their views clear.

Agreement

"We were in agreement that Stavanger produced a perform be that had such well defined structure, atmosphere and balance," Torgny Hanson said.

"That was the difference between the two performances of 'Trance', whilst we really enjoyed 'Old Licks Bluesed Up' although it did have some moments that dint quite come off."

"The standard was incredibly high — and not just with the top three performances", Jan Van der Roost added. "Stavanger made the music jump for the score, but there was so much excellent playing from Manger and Eikanger."

Crucial half point

Despite Eikanger's powerful rendition of 'Trance' gaining just 94.5 points, it was that half point that proved crucial as Manger's crowd pleasing rendition of Torstein Aagaard Nilsen's huge work could only pip it by a 1.5 margin, with Stavanger's nuclear fission 'Trance' tantalisingly, just a point further ahead.

On such margins are titles won and lost though — and as the audience tried to regain its breath after the multi-media screen at the back of the huge Griegsalen auditorium spelt it out in forensic printed detail, it was left to Eikanger to once again celebrate becoming Champion of Norway for a record sixteenth time.

However, until the very last moment it was a coronation crown that could have been worn by any of the three most worthy of contenders.

Varied quality

With the Elite bands impressively showcasing their own-choice blockbuster credentials, there was slightly more varied quality on show over the two days in the other sections.

The usual mix of the well-chosen and badly thought out were amply displayed as bands and MDs tried to mix musical ambition with hard nosed contesting reality.

First Division:

The First Division showed that in full, with Kleppe Musikklag taking the title for the second time in three years with a well drilled rendition of a Thomas Doss work.

Conducted extravagantly without a score, John Philip Hannevik inspired his band to produce a quality rendition of 'REM-scapes' to pip a purposeful Tertnes Brass.

They gave an equally fine performance of Oliver Waespi's 'As if a voice were in them...' under the baton of Rothwell MD, Dave Roberts with his cornet team taking the 'Best Section' award.

Askoy Brass eventually finished third thanks to a persuasive take on 'Sketches from Nowhere' under Reid Gilje, with the final top six places going to Musikkorpset Gajallahorn, Tomra and Tertnes Amatorkorps, whose principal cornet Bjarte Mossefinn took the 'Best Soloist' award.

Interestingly, judges Michael Bach and Arsene Duc told 4BR that although the top end of the table was made up of bands who could produce coherent, solidly portrayed accounts of major works, that stood them in good stead for future development and progress towards the elite level, below them the selections were more often quite badly misjudged.

Second Division:

Four years after they claimed the Third Division title, Flesland Musikklag continued with their solid progress as they took the Second Division title with an intelligently led performance of 'Trittico' under Thor-Arne Pedersen.

Judges Arsene Duc and Torgny Hanson told 4BR that they were left shaking their heads in disappointment at some of the choices made by bands that understandably didn't feature in the prizes.

However, they were full of praise for the winners, based near Bergen's international airport, who Torgny called 'very, very good in all departments' — as they also took the awards for 'Best Soloist' for principal cornet Sigrun Emerense Storheim, and for their excellent 'Best Section' percussion team.

Runners-up were Haukas Musikklag with a solid rendition of 'A London Overture', with Jolster in third with a vibrant 'Salome'.

The final top six places went to Radoy directed by Gareth Pritchard who made the trip from the balmy heat of a 97 degree Florida to direct his old band, ahead of Trondheim Politis Brass Band and Folleso Musikklag.

Third Division:

Tysnes Musikklag and MD Yngve Nikolaisen ended a 16 year wait for a second Third Division title, as they produced a classy rendition of Gilbert Vinter's 'Variations on a Ninth' to take the honours.

Amazingly, it was the same piece that saw them win way back in 2000, as playing as last contender of the contest they claimed a two point margin of victory over Lindas Brass, thanks in no small part to the superb playing of their 'Best Soloist' principal cornet.

The horns and flugel of Lindas took the 'Best Section' honours in 'Harmonious Variations on a Theme by G.F. Handel', with third place going to Manger Old Stars who also dusted off a classic piece of Vinter with 'Triumphant Rhapsody'.

Adjudicator Bjorn Sagstad (joined by Michael Bach) told 4BR that the overall standard was 'good' with the podium finishers in particular playing works that brought out the best in their solo and ensemble strengths.

The final top six places went to Tysvaer Brass, Rong Brass and Laksevag Musikkforening.

Fourth Division:

There was certainly a wide variety of repertoire, as well as quality of playing for Katrina Marzella and Bjorn Sagsad to ponder in the Fourth Division, as one of the rising bands in Norway, Bjorvika Brass claimed their second National title in three years.

Under the direction of Robert Solberg Nilsen they set an imposing early marker on 'Labour & Love' that proved unbeatable, despite the brave attempts from 14 rivals. The band's euphonium and tubas also took the solo and section awards.

Two points behind came a well-delivered 'London Overture' from Skui Brass, with a nicely balanced 'Saint-Saens Variations' giving Salhus Musikklag third.

Katrina later told 4BR that the judges were impressed by the overall standard, although it was those who showed control of ensemble balance and the basics of good band playing that really shone through.

"There were some choices that didn't really suit the bands, and it was noticeable that soft dynamics and more transparent scoring tested everyone, but the podium finishers were very good with an excellent performance form the winners."

There was nothing to choose between the remaining top six bands, with Hordvik Musiklag, Lismarka/Mesnali Brass and Nes Musisikkforening placed joint fourth.

Fifth Division:

The was a taste of hotter musical climes on show in the Fifth Division, as Brumunddal Brass conducted by Per Kristian O Syversen took the Fifth Division title with a colourful rendition of 'Hispaniola' by Jan de Haan.

It was a wonderful first ever National victory for a band that celebrated its 100th birthday in 2015, and which saw them take the honours from Kjolsdalen Musikklag, who played another De Haan work, 'Inspiration' immediately after them.

The top three bands were grouped together, with third placed Holmestrand Ungdomskorps in third thanks to their nearly portrayed 'Gothic Dances'.

Adjudicators Katrina Marzella and Jan Van der Roost later told 4BR that although the top three bands managed to give them performances that combined musicality as well as good banding basics, a number of other choices were perhaps a little too ambitious.

The final top six places went to Moen Musikkforening, Lillehammer Brass and Hetlevik Musikklag.

Super event

Once again the highly professional NMF organisation ran a wonderful festival — one that combined plenty of fine music, excellent performances, extensive media coverage (local, regional and national newspapers were there as well as live internet television coverage) and the fun and games of the famous 'Brass Night' party.

It was hard to disagree with EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg who said in his post contest reception speech that the championships continue to live up to the old Carlsberg beer commercial tag line that the vent was 'probably the best brass band championship in the world...'

Iwan Fox

That's why we worked so hard together on the set-work and why it proved to be so telling in gaining 99 out of 100 points. It was a wonderful performance to remember from everyoneProf Nicholas Childs

Results

Elite Division:
Adjudicators:
Set Work: Lars-Erik ter Jung, Aline Nistad, Manuel Hofstatter
Own Choice: Jan Van der Roost, Arthur Vanderhoeft, Torgny Hanson

Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag (Prof Nicholas Childs): 99/94.5 = 96.75
2. Manger Musikklag (Philip Harper): 97/96 = 96.50*
3. Stavanger Brass (Allan Withington): 96/97 = 96.50
4. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Howard Evans): 93/92 = 92.50
5. Bjorsvik Brass (Howard Snell): 90.5/93.0 = 92.00
6. Oslo Brass (Geir Holm): 91/91 = 91.00*
7. Krohnengen (Bjorn Breistein): 88/94 = 91.00
8. Oslofjord Brass (Garry Cutt): 86/89.5 = 87.75
9. Ila Brass (Adam Cooke): 85/86 = 86.50
10. Molde Brass (Russell Gray): 82/90 = 86.00

*Set work takes precedence in event of a tie

Soloist: Camilla Soderstrom Tveit (Bass Trombone) — Manger Musikklag
Best Section: Euphoniums and Tubas of Manger Musikklag

First Division:
Adjudicators: Michael Bach, Arsene Duc

1. Kleppe Musikklag (John Philip Hannevik) — 95
2. Tertnes Brass (David Roberts) — 94
3. Askoy Brass Band (Reid Gilje) — 93
4. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Selmer Simonsen) — 91
5. Tomra Brass Band (Nick Ost) — 90
6. Tertnes Amatorkorps (Bengt Florvag) — 89
7. Oster Brass (Jospeh Cook) — 88
8. Brottum Brass (Stian E Svendsen) — 87
9. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) — 86
10. Sandefjord Brass Symposium (Trond Husebo) — 85
11. Sola Brass Band (Rune Gundersen) — 84
12. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E Hansen) — 83

Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Tertnes Amatorkorp)
Best Section: Cornets of Tertnes Brass

Second Division:
Adjudicators: Arsene Duc, Torgny Hanson

1. Flesland Musikklag (Thor-Arne Pedersen) — 95.00
2. Haukas Musikklag (Jan Egil Jorgensen) — 93.00
3. Jolster Musikklag (Stian E Svendsen) — 92.00
4. Radoy Brass (Gareth Pritchard) — 91.00
5. Trondheim Politis Brassband (Espen Andersen) — 90.00
6. Folleso Musikklag (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) — 89.00
7. Tromso Brass (Tor-Kristian R Innbjor) — 88.00
8. Orskog Brass (Arnfinn Dalhaug) — 87.00
9. Sagvag Musikklag (Paul Hughes) — 85.00
10. Agder Brass (Ola Balstad) — 84.00
11. Bergen Brass Band (Sturle Berntsen) — 83.00
12. Sorum Musikklag (Henrik Dagestad-Dalhaug) — 82.00
13. Fjell Brass (Paul Fensom) — 81.00

Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Flesland Musikklag)
Best Section: Percussion of Flesland Musikklag

Third Division:
Adjudicators: Michael Bach, Bjorn Sagstad

1. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 94.00
2. Lindas Brass (Hilde Margrethe & Brevik Grytten) — 92.0
3. Manger Old Star Brass (Marit Tommermo) — 91.50
4. Tysvaer Brass (Martin Kinn) — 91.00
5. Rong Brass (Thor-Arne Pedersen) — 90.00
6. Laksevag Musikkforening (Helge Haukas) — 89.00
7. Gjovik Bybrass (Christian Tenfjord) — 88.00
8. Stangaland Brass (Rrasmus Kaersgaard) — 87.00
9. Gjesdal Brass Band (Jonas Skartveit Rogne)- 86.00
10. Valdres Brass (Tor Arthur Hagen) — 85.00
11. Langhus Brass (Tomas Carstensen) — 84.00
12. Flora-Bremanger Brassband (Philip Goodwin) — 83.00
13. Fla Musikkorps (Odd Steinar Morkved) — 82.00
14. Fraena Musikkorps (Mareika Gray) — 81.00

Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Tysnes Musikklag)
Best Section: Flugel/Horns of Lindas Brass

Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Katrina Marzella, Bjorn Sagstad

1. Bjorvika Brass Band (Robert Solberg Nilsen) — 95.00
2. Skui Brassband (Thor-Willy Karlsen) — 93.00
3. Salhaus Musiklag (Vidar Nordli) — 92.00
=4. Hordvik Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk) — 90.00
=4. Lismarka/Mesnali Brass (Andres Halla) — 90.00
=4. Nes Musikkforening (Thorbjorn Lunde) — 90.00
=7. Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars Bjornar Strengenes) — 89.00
=7. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Gwyn Evans) — 89.00
9. Frei Hornmusikk (Stein Age Sorlie) — 88.00
10. Floro Hornmusikk (Torgeir Halvorsen) — 87.00
11. Lyshornet Brass (Oyvind Raknes Nikolaisen) — 86.00
12. IMI Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) — 85.00
13. Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen (Jan Arne Stavik Karlsen) — 84.00
=14. Grenland Brass (Arild Ovrum) — 83.00
=14. Sotra Brass (Oddvar Nostdal) — 83.00

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Bjorvika Brass)
Best Section: Bass Section of Bjorvika Brass

Fifth Division:
Adjudicators: Katrina Marzella, Jan Van der Roost

1. Brumunddal Brass (Per Kristian O Syversen) — 93.50
2. Kjolsdalen Musikklag (Arvid Anthun) — 92.00
3. Holmestrand Ungdomskorps (Svend Erik Andersen) — 91.00
4. Moen Musikkforening (Ole Kristian Egge) — 90.50
5. Lillehammer Brass (Per Kristian O. Syversen) — 90.00
6. Hetlevik Musikklag (Asbjorn Hauge) — 89.50
7. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) — 89.00
8. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Kristian Thulin) — 88.50
9. Lalm Musikkforening (Odd Ivar Svelstad) — 88.00
10. Saksumdal Musikkforening (Andres Halla) — 86.00
=11. Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austernes-Underhaug) — 86.00
=11. Alvik Musikklag (Torbjorn Dagestad Jnr) — 85.00

Best Soloist: Solo Cornet (Brumunddal Brass)
Best Section: Horns of Kjolsdalen Musikklag