The Flowers Band maintained their run of excellent winning form in the pretty Loire Valley town of Amboise on the weekend by adding the French Open to a 2016 CV that already includes the Butlins and West of England titles.

Da Vinci

Directed by Paul Holland, a set that included David Childs stunning 'Best Soloist' rendition of 'Endearing Young Charms' followed by the event's specially commissioned set-work, 'Da Vinci' from Swiss composer Ludovic Neurohr, saw them claim the gleaming trophy from West of England rivals and fellow Albert Hall qualifiers, Aldbourne.

To round off a highly enjoyable weekend, Flowers also took the march contest honours with their rendition of 'The Cossack', whilst they thrilled a packed auditorium at the Theatre Beaumarchais with a late night concert that gained numerous standing ovations and chants of 'Holland! Holland! led by Dutch band supporters who pinpointed their vocal admiration not on their own national football team but the band's Welsh MD!

Great trip

"It was a great trip for us,"Paul Holland later told 4BR. "We worked very hard on what was a very tricky test-piece from Ludovic — and one I hope we get to hear again.

The set-up for the weekend was also perfect for us to showcase our strengths — with David on brilliant form as usual, but with the band also showing its versatility in winning the outdoor march contest and providing a cracking concert."

Impact

He added: "The shouts of support were a bit odd to start with though! It's not often that's happened, but I think it shows the impact the band now makes on audiences wherever it goes."

Part of that impact came with the band's superb rendition of the 18 minute test-piece — written by Ludovic Neurohr to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci's arrival in Amboise. It was based on a composition entitled, 'Tre Rebus Musicali' written by the Renaissance giant when he lived and worked in Chateau d'Amboise

Rocked

Ludovic had also made the trip to be part of the adjudication jury and later told 4BR. "Even though the weather made it an incredible trip to get to Amboise — it was all well worth it, with Flowers giving a stunning performance of my piece.

The quality of the playing — especially from the soloists was superb. Those guys rocked!"

He added: "I must give a very mention to the excellent Aldbourne. Now I have heard the piece I know what I need to do with it. My thanks go to the organisers for giving me the honour of writing the work and to the bands for their performances."

Differing approaches

Although there were only the two bands in the Championship Division, there was plenty to enjoy in their differing approaches, with David Johnson leading Aldbourne in a more lightweight set with the addition of their opener and xylophone feature (with the soloist dressed in a full body skeleton suit).

Regular cross-channel visitors Lockwood added the First Division title to their list of past French Open achievements (including the Second Section title in 2014) as under John Roberts they beat off the strong English challenge of Bollington Brass and Jersey Premier Brass.

Their programme included PLC's 'When Thunder Calls', the euphonium solo 'Bravura', the set-work, 'Essay' by Edward Gregson, on which they also won the North of England Area title in March, and the finale from 'Glorifico Aeternum'.

French honour

Unfortunately there was only one entrant in the Second Division, as Brass Band Amersfoort from the Netherlands claimed the honours under Vincent Verhage with a set that included the test-piece, 'Cross Patonce', whilst French honour was upheld ahead of EURO 2016 with victory in the Third Section for Brass Berry directed by Olivier Bougain, ahead of City of Chester.

The Fourth Division was an all French affair with Brass Band Oceane led by Pascal Pidfer taking the hojours ahead of compartriots Brass Band du CRR De Tours, thanks in part to their rendition of the set-work, 'Lydian Pictures' by Simon Dobson.

March contest

As always there was a fine turn out of support from the Amboise locals as well as from further afield — especially for the open air march contest which saw Flowers rendition of 'The Cossack' take the honours ahead of Aldbourne and Lockwood Brass.

— it was all well worth it, with Flowers giving a stunning performance of my piece. The quality of the playing — especially from the soloists was superb. Those guys rocked!Ludovic Neurohr

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Ludovic Neurohr, Paul Norley

1. Flowers (Paul Holland) — 119.00
2. Aldbourne (David Johnson) — 117.33

Best Soloist: David Childs (euphonium) — Flowers

First Division:
Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Ludovic Neurohr, Paul Norley

1. Lockwood Brass (John Roberts) — 117.00
2. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian) — 115.33
3. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard) — 114.33

Second Division:
Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Ludovic Neurohr, Paul Norley

1. Brass Band Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage) — 114.66

Third Division:
Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Ludovic Neurohr, Paul Norley

1. Brass Berry (Olivier Bougain) — 113.00
2. City of Chester (Ewan Easton) — 111.00

Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Dennis Wilby, Ludovic Neurohr, Paul Norley

1. Brass Band Oceane (Pascal Piedfer) — 110.00
2. Brass Band Du CRR De Tours (David Hubert) — 108.33

March Competition:
Adjudicator: Chris Jeans

1. Flowers
2. Aldbourne
3. Lockwood
4. Brass Band Amersfoort

Public Prize: Jersey Premier Brass
Best Soloist: Trombone (Brass Band Amersfoort)

Concert Prize: Brass Band Oceane
Concert Soloist Prize: Cornet (Brass Band Oceane)