Göta Brass Band retained the Swedish National Championship title with a clear-cut victory at the Arken Pentecost Church in Varnamo.

Having been formed in 2015, the band has rapidly emerged as a dominant force in the Swedish contesting scene — one that was cemented at its apex under MD Michael Tomsen in securing a four-point margin of victory following high class performances of the test-piece, 'Odyssey' and their own-choice of Peter Graham's 'The 39th Parallel'.

Montreux bound

Victory will now see them represent Sweden at the 2019 European Championship in Montreux — another landmark achievement that Band Manager, Eli Hellsten told 4BR they were determined to fulfil following their encouraging runner-up finish in the Challenge Section in Utrecht this year.

"We are thrilled by the victory — especially as it was the largest in the history of the contest. We were very happy with the way we performed and we believe it shows the progress that the band continues to make.

We've enjoyed our celebrations, and we are determined to do everything to make it to Montreux to represent Sweden once more."

Göta vividly captured the drama of Kevin Norbury's 'Odyssey', aided by a balanced ensemble and fine soloists (especially 'Best Instrumentalist' winner, Johannes Forsberg on euphonium), whilst MD Michael Thomsen's cleverly gauged reading of the score was persuasively marked and nuanced.

Outstanding

The following day they produced an outstanding rendition of the evocative New Zealand inspired 'The 39th Parallel' to seal victory in the most commanding fashion.

The battle for the remaining podium places proved to be a knife-edged affair, with an intellectually constructed reading of 'Odyssey' from Solna Brass just squeezing ahead of a solid performance from rivals Windcorp on the first day.

However, the own-choice portion of the competition saw Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar provide a passionately delivered rendition of 'The Essence of Time' to push Göta closes and which edged Windcorp's 'Les Preludes' into third, although their tuba section took the 'Best Section' accolade.

Solna Brass, despite a confident rendition of 'Red Priest', failed to find favour with the judges, although in the overall scheme of the two-legged contest it proved good enough to enable them to pip rivals for second place. However, the closeness of the result showed just how well-matched the engrossing battle was.

First Division:

The First Division bands were tasked with Philip Sparke's 'Triptych' as a set-work, alongside a programme of their own-choice — with everything from test-pieces to religious music featured.

At its conclusion it was Lunds University Brass Band that regained the title they last claimed in 2016 following a thrilling reading of 'Turris Fortissima' that played wholly to their obvious strengths.

It was a still a close run battle though — with Asenhoga taking second prize, along with the 'Best Section' for their fine tubas, the 'Best Conductor' accolade for Patrik Randefalk, and the second 'Best Instrumentalist' award of the weekend for star euphonium Johannes Forsberg. Malmö Brass Band was third.

Second Division and Minibrass:

Immanuel Brass (Enkoping) finished as the dominant force in the Second Division ahead of local favourites Varnamo Missionskyrkas and Bors Brassband. 'Best Conductor' Ann-Sofie Andersson led them through exciting renditions of the set-work 'Diogenes' and own-choice selection 'Scottish Dances', with their cornets claiming the 'Best Section' prize.

Finally, a sparkling routine from the youngsters of Habo Small Band claimed victory in the well-supported Minibrass Division, taking the lead over wonderfully animated performances from Immanuel Minibrass (Enkoping) and Bors Ungdomsbrassband.

The overall impression from bands great and small in musical as well as physical stature was that the whole weekend was a demonstration of positive brass band contesting played out in a supportive atmosphere brimming with encouragement and confidence.

Thanks to Thomas Dunne

We are thrilled by the victory — especially as it was the largest in the history of the contest. We were very happy with the way we performed and we believe it shows the progress that the band continues to makeBand Manager, Eli Hellsten

Results:

Elite Section:

Adjudicators:
Set Work: Mareika Gray, Jan de Haan, Philip Harper
Own-Choice: Mareika Gray, Jan de Haan, Frode Rydland

Set Work/Own Choice = Average Total

1. Göta Brass Band (Michael Thomsen): 91/93 = 92
2. Solna Brass (Emil Bjokland): 88/88 = 88
3. Windcorp Brass Band (Ingemar Roos): 87/89 = 88
4. Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår (David Glanneskog): 85/91 = 88
5. Uffes Blås Brass Band (Andreas Kratz): 84/86 = 85

Best Section: Tubas (Windcorp Brass Band)
Best instrumentalist: Johannes Forsberg (euphonium): Göta Brass Band
Best Set-Work Conductor: Michael Thomsen (Göta Brass Band)

First Division:

Adjudicators: Frode Rydland, Philip Harper

1. Lunds University Brass Band (Roger Andersson): 92
2. Asenhöga Brass Band (Patrik Randefalk): 91
3. Malmö Brass Band (Jan Wimborg): 87
4. Immanuel Brass (Stockholm) (Andreas Lundin): 85
5. Smyrna Brass (Anders Hellman, Kalle Aberg, Henrik Glanneskog): 84
6. Immanuel Brass (Jönköping) (Magnus Hylander): 83

Best Section: Tuba (Asenhöga Brass Band)
Best Instrumentalist: Johannes Forsberg (euphonium) — Asenhöga Brass Band
Best Conductor: Patrick Randefalk (Asenhöga Brass Band)

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Mareika Gray, Jan de Haan

1. Immanuel Brass (Enköping) (Ann-Sofie Andersson): 90
2. Varnamo Missionskyrkas (Jakob Torefors): 89
3. Bors Brassband (Ulrik Lundquist): 88
4. Jarfalla Brassband (Peter Gothe): 87
5. Gnosjö Brass Band (Jan Hultegard): 85
6. EQ Brass (Jan Karlsson): 84

Best Section: Cornets Immanuel Brass
Best instrumentalist: Tommy Sundblad (cornet) — EQ Brass
Best Conductor: Ann-Sofie Andersson (Immanuel Brass (Enköping))

Minibrass Division:

Adjudicators: Frode Rydland, Jappie Dijkstra

1. Habo Small Band
2. Immanuel Minibrass (Enköping)
3. Bors Ungdomsbrassband
=4 Asenhöga Youth Brass Band
=4 Södertörns Minibrass
=4 Göteborgs Youth Brass Band
=4 Gnosjö Minibrass
=4 AM Brass