The ninth Aalborg Brass Festival has been hailed as a triumph after a record number of bands performed their entertainment programmes at the Norresundby Gymnasium Studievej on the weekend.
Impressive Arhus
For the first time the event included a Championship Section 'AaMuk Open' category, which was won in impressive fashion by Arhus Brass Band conducted by Michael Thomsen.
They certainly wowed adjudicators Paul Lovatt-Cooper and David Morton, principal cornet of the Eikanger Bjorsvik Band who awarded 99 points to claim a clear-cut victory over rivals Silkeborg Blaeserne and Concord Brass.
The band delivered a fine set that included Paul's new arrangement of the famous hymn tune 'Lloyd', whilst Concord's principal cornet won the 'Best Soloist' prize for his fine rendition of 'Fortune's Fool'.
Norwegian win
Section A was won by Norwegian visitors Valdres Brass Band directed by John Philip Hannevik, who also gained a clean sweep of the individual awards on offer as they claimed victory over Danish rivals
Frederikshavn, with the newly promoted all girl Brovst Pigegarde in third.
There was a debut victory in Section B which was won by Aalborg Postal Brass Band. One of the highlights of the competition was the young band from Aalborg Garden. Finishing their programme with adjudicator Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Dreamcatchers', Paul couldn't resist going onto the stage and playing along with the youngsters.
Newcomer victory
Meanwhile, Section C was won by another newcomer in Greve Pigegarde, whilst the evening Gala Concert was themed 'Pop Philharmonics' and was played by Silkeborg Blaeserne.
Founder and chairman of the festival Henrik Juul-Brinkmann told 4BR: "We started our fantastic journey in 2008 and it keeps getting better every year! This year we invited Championship Section bands which has been a great experience.
Special thanks
He added: "A special thanks go to all the helpers who have been the best in the world, the bands, the audience and the adjudicators who were fantastic.
They really captured the special Aalborg Festival spirit. The festival is open to everyone. We want this to be the best brass band festival in the world, no matter how big or small the bands are.
We look forward to our tenth anniversary next year, where we can present one of the best British bands at the Gala Concert."
The festival is open to everyone. We want this to be the best brass band festival in the world, no matter how big or small the bands areFounder and chairman of the festival Henrik Juul-Brinkmann
Results:
Open Section:
Adjudicators: Paul Lovatt-Cooper & David Morton
1. Aarhus Brass (Michael Thomsen) — 99
2. Silkeborg Blaeserne (Niels-Ole Bo Johansen) — 96
3. Concord Brass Band (Steffan Maersk) — 95
4. Nordvestjysk Brass (Lars Peder Sorensen) — 93
Best March: ORB (Silkeborg Blaeserne)
Best Soloist: Stanley West (cornet) — Concord Brass Band
Best Conductor: Michael Thomsen (Aarhus Brass)
A Section:
Adjudicators: Paul Duffy & Uwe Koller
1. Valdres Brass Band (John Philip Hannevik) — 90
2. Frederikshavn FDF Brass (Henrik Naeser) — 88
3. Brovst Pigegarde (Henrik Juul-Pedersen) — 87
4. Skanderborg Brass Band (Erik Bjorn Lund) — 86
5. Pedermost Garden (Bjarke Visby Andersen) -85
Best March: Valdres March (Valdres Brass Band)
Best Soloist: Kaja Funder Idstad (Valdres Brass Band)
Best Conductor: John Philip Hannevik (Valdres Brass Band)
B Section:
Adjudicators: Paul Lovatt-Cooper & David Morton
1. Aalborg Postorkester (Henrik Juul-Pedersen) — 78
2. Aalborg Brass Band (Henrik Naeser) — 77
3. Hjemmevaernets Musikkorps Aarhus (Lars Peder Sorensen) -75
4. Aalborg Garden (Henrik Juul-Pedersen) — 73
Best March: Crescendo (Aalborg Postorkester)
Best Soloist: Jesper Rossen (Aalborg Garden)
Best Conductor: Henrik Naeser (Aalborg Brass Band)
C Section:
Adjudicators: Paul Duffy & Uwe Koller
1. Greve Pigegarde — 69
2. Logstor Garden — 68
3. Frederikshavn FDF Junior Band — 67
Best March: Rise and Shine (Frederikshavn FDF Junior Band)
Best Soloist: Louisa Christensen (Greve Pigegarde)
Best Conductor: Marie Bak (Logstor Garden)
Herbert Moller Prize: Carl Viggo Jespersen
