Report & Results: 2016 North American National Championships

Fountain City take the senior and youth honours with section titles for Pikes Peak, Capital City Brass and Milwaukee Festival Brass in what was a great event in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Fountain City claimed victories for the present and future at the North American Brass Band Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana on the weekend.

A successful defence of the Championship Section title led by Joseph Parisi was secured in emphatic fashion by the senior band, whilst their talented youngsters claimed the Youth Section laurels with a wonderful display of mature artistry under Lee Harrelson and Paul Bessetti.

It was the sixth time since 2007 that the Kansas City band had become NABBA Champions — although this time it was achieved with a brace of performances that were close perfection according to the adjudicators; gaining six individual marks of 98 or 99 out of 100 on the set-work, 'From Ancient Times' and their own-choice of 'Audivi Media Nocte'.

Superlatives

The set-work judges, Kevin Norbury, William Himes and Eric Alexander called their rendition of Jan van der Roost's work, 'electrifying', 'poised' and 'exhilarating' in their written remarks on the Friday evening.

The following day, Jamie Hood, Ronald Waiksonaris and Eric Alexander were equally impressed: 'Artful', '...a pleasure to listen to' and 'very good playing' we're just some of their written superlatives as Fountain City hammered home their victory on Oliver Waespi's fearsome composition.

Special players

No wonder MD Jospeh Parisi was a little taken back when speaking to 4BR as he congratulated his players — many of who have grown up with him since his High School days.

"These are very special players — and make my job easy. It's an honour to conduct them — they just lead me through the music. To read what the judges said about our performances is very humbling and a great credit to the players.

This band has already achieved many notable accolades, but I feel there are still great things to come."

Best way possible

He added: "So many of these players I have known now for many years and still make the journey to play for the band from all parts of the US. With our young players also making amazing progress the future of Fountain City Band is being secured in the best way possible."

The band also benefited from the help of former Black Dyke trombone star Brett Baker, who wowed an appreciative audience during the contest performances and as the featured soloist before the announcement of the results.

He added: "I've had a great time with the band. They are an outstanding ensemble led by an outstanding conductor. It was a real pleasure to be part of what was an amazing victory."

High rivals

Victory was indeed clear-cut for the defending champion — although the marks given to rivals were also very high.

There was delight for Kevin Stees and James Madison University, as they confirmed their growing top flight stature by coming runner-up, thanks to high quality accounts of the test piece and their own-choice of 'Perihelion: Closer to the Sun'.

"It's amazing," Kevin said as he also held the 2016 'President's Award' banners in acknowledgement of over 30 years of inspirational teaching and in developing JMU into such a respected ensemble since their formation in 2000.

"I have so much to be thankful for, so to be able to lead the band to this finish makes that personal award even more special."

Fine playing

Just behind them came former double champion Atlantic Brass Band, as they recovered lost ground on the set-work under Salvatore Scarpa to deliver an excellent rendition of 'Music of the Spheres' to claim the final podium spot.

There was plenty of fine playing on show over the two days in the top section, although the intricacies of the homage to the Franco/Flemish giants of the Renaissance did cause problems for all the bands — especially with the precision of the percussion led opening.

There were also a number of blockbuster own-choice performances to thrill the pants off, although Brass of the Potomac eventually finished fourth overall thanks in no small part to a very stylish and elegantly portrayed 'Tristan Encounters' led by Stephen Bulla.

In contrast, an absolute powerhouse 'Apocalypse' by Brass Band of Central Florida certainly caught the ears (gaining top marks from Ronald Waiksonaris) as they ended fifth, with Princeton pipping Chicago to sixth, as their contrasting renditions of 'Rococo Variations' and 'Music of the Spheres' were just tarnished by unforced errors.

Youth success

It really was a Fountain of success at the wonderful Embassy Theatre, as the organisation's youngsters joined their senior counterparts to enjoy the victory celebrations.

Formed in 2008 as part of a community outreach programme, Fountain City Youth Band has now developed into a highly successful ensemble, led by Lee Harrelson and Paul Bessetti, but also benefiting from the inspirational work of Lee's wife, Helen — well known to people in the UK when she played with Black Dyke and Foden's.

Splendid fashion

They claimed the youth title in splendid fashion — emulating their sibling counterparts in the Fountain City Youth Academy, who won in 2015, and who have now gone on to compete in the senior Third Section contest.

Their excellent performances of the set-work, 'Ravenhill Suite' and their own-choice of 'Olympus' saw them claim a clear margin of victory over a brace of spirited, talented rivals in Triangle Youth Academy Brass and Motor City Youth Brass Band.

Amazing work

"It's really down to Helen," Lee Harrelson told 4BR after the results. "She has done some pretty amazing work and the results are now being shown. Everyone loves her and respects her as a musician. Working with her and Paul is fantastic.

This is where the future lies with Fountain City — from the seniors through our Academy to this band and hopefully more to come. Brass banding is now a huge part of musical life in our area."

First Section honours

In a very competitive First Section there was a first National title to celebrate for Pikes Peak Brass Band from Colorado Springs.

Although formed in 1998, this was only the second time they had competed at the NABBA event — following up on last year's podium finish by claiming the honours in fine fashion under Debbie Baker.

Excellent soloists

The contest was held in the adjoining Grand Wayne Convention Centre, where the MD carefully controlled the dynamics in renditions of the set-work, 'The Alchymist's Journal' and their own-choice of 'A London Overture', which featured excellent soloists and a free flowing sense of musicality.

It proved good enough to repel the strong challenge of rivals; Weston Silver running them close thanks to a colourful 'Paganini Variations', with Brass in Concert bound Dublin Silver, making their First Section debuts ending third, with a well-managed 'Tallis Variations'.

Their MD Tim Jameson later told 4BR that the daunting fundraising for their trip to the UK later this year is going well, and that they are hugely looking forward to representing their country at the contest.

Second Section win for Capital City

There was also a first NABBA victory for Capital City Brass in the Second Section, after the band, set up in 2001 in the mid-Michigan area, put runner-up finishes in the past two years behind them to record a deserved victory under Travis Scott.

A fine rendition of the difficult set-work, 'Fanfares and Love Songs' and their own-choice of 'The Saga of Hakkon the Good' proved enough to beat the spirited challenge of runner-up New England Brass led by Stephen Bulla.

They gave a fine account of his own work, 'Beecher Variations', whilst River Brass, who opted for the aptly entitled, 'Between the Two Rivers', ended a little further back in third, in a contest that showed the growing quality of banding at this level.

Third Section success for Milwaukee

Perhaps the most enjoyable contest came in the Third Section, where all seven bands produced fine accounts on an eclectic mix of repertoire.

In the end though there was a clear-cut victory for Milwaukee Festival Brass, as they produced a high-class brace under MD Mark Taylor of 'The Graces of Love', and their own-choice of 'The Saga of Tyrfing' — both played with a splendid sense of contrasting styles.

Behind them came Triangle Youth Brass Band from Raleigh in North Carolina, who delivered a cracking rendition of 'Fire in the Blood' as their own-choice under Jesse Rackley, whilst there was delight for the home-town band of Old Crown Brass, as they ended third on their contest debuts under TJ Faur, thanks to a colourful rendition of 'Saint-Saens Variations'.

Excellent organisation

With over 180 solo and ensemble performers proudly taking to the stage over the two days to try and become a 'National Champion', and with excellent support from the city council, sponsors, vendors and especially an amazing group of volunteers and back stage staff, the 2016 Championships proved to be highly enjoyable and successful event.

Proud of

And with it now posting a profit, and with the city of Fort Wayne welcoming back the contest for the next two years, NABBA President Randi Bulla and her organisation have a great deal to be proud of.

However, only thing they haven't got control of is the Fort Wayne weather — which turned from brilliant sunshine to driving horizontal snow quicker than it took bands to complete their performances: But by all accounts that's just what Indiana is like at this time of year.

It's worth coming just to experience that.

Iwan Fox

To read what the judge's have said about our performances is very humbling and a great credit to the players. This band has already achieved many notable accolades, but I feel there are still great things to comeFountain City MD, Joseph Parisi

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators:
Set Work: Kevin Norbury/William Himes/Eric Alexander
Own Choice: Jamie Hood/Ronald Waiksnoris/Eric Alexander