Prior to the recent North American Brass Band Association contest in Fort Wayne, a number of bands took the opportunity to perform at the popular Dublin Festival of Brass in Ohio.

Started in 2017 it has quickly become a fixture on the growing North American banding contest circuit, with its format of march, slow melody feature and own-choice test piece this year attracting a record entry of ten bands.

Successful defence

Oakland University Brass Band successfully defended its title under MD Kenneth Kroesche, claiming top marks in all three categories from both judges to secure victory with a perfect 200 point score.

Their performances of 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' by Peter Graham, the march 'Arnhem' and slow melody of 'Wondrous Cross' also saw them claim the individual honours for 'Best Soprano', 'Best Flugel', 'Best Trombones', 'Best Tubas' and 'Best Percussion'.

Runner-up was the home town favourite Dublin Silver (who went onto the claim the First Section NABBA title) with Arkansas Musicworks Brass Band in third.

B Section honours

The B Section honours went to sixth placed Fillmore Philharmonic Brass ahead of Cincinnati Brass Band and Dublin Metro Brass.

As part of the event weekend James Gourlay gave a well received tuba masterclass as well as leading a short pre-results concert from the Rockville Brass Ensemble.

Oakland University Brass Band successfully defended its title under MD Kenneth Kroesche, claiming top marks in all three categories from both judges to secure victory with a perfect 200 point score4BR

Result:

Adjudicators: James Gourlay and Dr Rachel Hockenberry

1. Oakland University Brass Band (Kenneth Kroesche) — 200
2. Dublin Silver Band (Tim Jameson) — 181
3. Arkansas Musicworks Brass Band (William Ratcilff) — 180
4. St. Louis Brass Band (John Bell) — 180
5. Five Lakes Silver Band (Steven Kandow) — 169
6. Fillmore Philharmonic Brass (Dr. Kevin Holzman) — 162
7. Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band (Russell E. Murray) — 151
8. Cincinnati Brass Band (Jon Noworyta) — 143
9. Dublin Metro Brass (William Ballenger) — 139
10. Crossroads Brass Band (Paul Bork) — 139

Individual Awards:

Best Soprano: Michael Baker (Oakland University Brass Band)
Best Cornet: Matt Taton (Five Lakes Silver Band)
Best Flugel: Ben Feuerhelm (Oakland University Brass Band)
Best Horn: George Zonders & Brian Mayer (Dublin Silver Band)
Best Baritone: Dublin Silver Band
Best Trombones: Oakland University Brass Band
Best Euphonium: Grant Jameson (Dublin Silver Band)
Best Tubas: Oakland University Brass Band
Best Percussion: Oakland University Brass Band