The inaugural Dublin Festival of Brass, hosted by Dublin Silver Band, has been hailed as a great success.
With a format of march, slow melody and major work, the triptych design was the first of its 'kind' in North America, with event organiser Patrick Herak telling 4BR: "Part of the purpose of the festival was to encourage bands that might not normally compete, by asking them to perform three types of pieces they might normally play in a concert.
The feedback we had said that people felt that the day ran smoothly, the bands had a good time and found it beneficial and that everybody would look forward to seeing the event run again."
Debutants
The contest was opened by debutants Brass Band from Indiana University, formed in 2016.
Their clean, precise performances with an excellent lower brass end that took the awards for 'Best Trombones' and 'Best Basses', was a hugely encouraging marker for the future as their overall potential develops.
In contrast the more experienced Prairie Brass Band from Arlington Heights in Illinois had travelled furthest and opened with a fine performance of 'The Australasian' march, whilst their slow melody feature 'All in the April Evening' of warmth and linear phrasing was followed by a spirited performance of 'Kenilworth' by Sir Arthur Bliss.
Rising ensembles
Finishing second overall was Fillmore Philharmonic Brass. Only in their third year, they are now one of the rising ensembles in North America, and opened with a fine rendition of the march 'The Klaxon' which highlighted excellent dynamic control. Contrast came with the warmth of tonality in the fine playing of their slow melody, 'Nicaea', led by 'Best Cornet' Alex Pride, before they closed with Peter Graham's ' To Boldly Go'.
Winners
The overall title however was deservedly claimed by home town favourites Dublin Silver Band, who opened with a thrilling, detailed account of the famous march 'The Wizard'. After a fine contrast with the slow melody feature, the band finished with 'Voyage to Worlds Unknown' by Peter Graham, which set the seal on a victory made up by topping each discipline.
Before the announcement of the results, the Fillmore Trombones alongside adjudicator and euphonium virtuoso Dr. Adam Frey offered splendid entertainment before Dr. Frey took the opportunity to state just how much he enjoyed the day.
In the end it was Dublin Silver Band that became the first name engraved on the trophy named in honour of Dr. Paul Droste, who also took the opportunity to congratulate the competitors and individual soloists, as well as finding a great deal of encouragement of seeing another contest and at least one new band becoming part of the movement in the country.
The feedback we had said that people felt that the day ran smoothly, the bands had a good time and found it beneficial and that everybody would look forward to seeing the event run againEvent organiser Patrick Herak
Result:
Adjudicator: Dr. Adam Frey
March + Slow Melody + Major Work =Total
1. Dublin Silver Band (Tim Jameson): 25+25+50 =100
2. Fillmore Philharmonic Brass (Jon Noworyta): 24+23+48 = 95
3. Brass Band at Indiana University (Eric Isaacson): 23+24+46 = 93
4. Prairie Brass Band (Mary Barnes-Gingrich): 22+22+44 = 88
Best March: Dublin Silver Band
Best Slow Melody: Dublin Silver Band
Best Major Work: Dublin Silver Band
Best non-placing 'B' Section Band: Brass Band at Indiana University
Runner-Up 'B'Section Band: Prairie Brass Band
Individual Prizes Adjudicator: Dr. Paul Droste
Best Soprano: David Lambermont (Dublin Silver Band)
Best Cornet: Alex Pride Fillmore Philharmonic Brass)
Best Horn: Brian Mayer (Dublin Silver Brass)
Best Trombones: Brass Band at Indiana University
Best Euphonium: Josh Jameson (Dublin Silver Band)
Best Bass Section: Brass Band at Indiana University
Best Percussion Section: Dublin Silver Band
