The final competitive action of the 2019 European Championship Festival came in the Premier Section of the Youth Championships — won with a display of considerable musical maturity by Catch Basin Brass Band from Austria.

On what was their second appearance at the event under MD Andreas Lackner (they were runner-up in 2018), they took the title by a single point margin from BML Talents from Switzerland with England's defending champion Youth Brass 2000 in third.

The victory also followed the success of Brass Band Regensburg in the Challenge Section and the performances of 3BA Concert Brass in the Championship event to further confirm the growing level of brass band excellence that is now emerging in Germany and Austria — countries with rich brass playing traditions.

Clear musical focus

Consisting of the pick of 90 pupils from the Innsbruck City Music School, the Tyrolean State Conservatory and other smaller music schools, Catch Basin is made up of youngsters who already have a clear musical focus in their lives — one that is further being honed by adding brass band music making to the educational hinterland.

That was shown perfectly with their tenor horn player Antonia Kapelari, who produced a stunning rendition of the 'Finale' from the Hayden 'Cello Concerto No 1' that even the arranger Owen Farr would have been envious of. Miss Kapelari is studying trumpet as her first instrument at Music College.

Earlier they had opened with a rousing account of 'Fire in the Blood', before a dramatic performance of the excellent set-work 'Sanctuary!' by Daniel Hall brought the story of the heroic Notre Dame bell-ringer Quasimodo to life. 'Nordic Polska' played with such a stylish swagger closed their immensely impressive programme and saw adjudicators Anne Crookston and Glyn Williams award them 99 points.

Victory was well deserved. These are quite remarkable young performers.

Swiss Talents

Just a point behind came BML Talents from Switzerland, led by Patrick Ottiger.

The youth band arm of Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (who came fourth in the senior Championship Section event the previous day), the 35 members are drawn from the local region to be given the opportunity to help extend their musical potential.

And that potential was obvious as they opened with a cracking 'Balkan Sounds' before also giving an evocative account of the set-work. Their trombone soloist Marcel Zemp delivered a quite stunning rendition of Arthur Pryor's virtuosic 'Thoughts of Love' that deservedly took the 'Best Soloist' award, before they closed with the suave sounds of 'Nightingale Dances'.

On this evidence the conveyor belt of Swiss banding talent is starting to go into overdrive.

Defending champion

The defending champion Youth Brass 2000 under Chris Jeans gave everything in defence of their title — including two world premières in the shape of the tenor horn solo 'Nightlights' by Lucy Pankhurst, played with lyrical intensity by Siobhan Bates, and Paul McGhee's thumping 'Son of Kong' which brought their set to a ferocious close.

Polished renditions of 'Starburst' and 'Sanctuary' completed their programme — one that one just about any other occasion would have resulted in victory, but up against two exceptional rivals, saw them end a proud third.

German and English pride

And there was certainly plenty of pride on show with the fourth and fifth placed competitors, Jugend Brass Band Blechklang from Germany and Lions Youth from England.

Making an impressive debut at the event, conductor Patricio Cosentino led Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (started in 2015) in just the two items — the set-work, played with determination and purpose, and a colourful rendition of Kevin Houben's 'Lake of the Moon'.

The fertile musical ambition was clear to hear, with the MD keen to showcase their serious intent. He later told 4BR that this first experience of the contest had been an inspiration — one that will see the band return to compete in the future.

Hopefully the Lions Youth Band from Cheshire will also return, especially after experiencing such a memorable trip to Switzerland under their inspirational MD, Nigel Birch.

They represented their nation brilliantly; the determination and pride (they raised over £25,000 to make the trip) shown in their performances of 'Home of Legends' to open, and followed by the set-work, a superb rendition of 'An Untold Story' played by tenor horn soloist Abbie Webb and the closing funky beat of 'Blue Phantom' by composer Andy Scott.

Speaking to them after they had played it was obvious it had been worth every penny raised — and a musical and cultural experience they will never forget — until the next time!

Fitting finale

It was rather fitting that the final competitive performance of what had been a memorable European Championships came with a winning performance.

Following a short concert performance by the European Youth Band (who performed admirably under Bertrand Moren all week), compere Stein Skopholm (who was also on excellent form throughout the event) expertly raised the levels of excitement and anticipation with the announcement of the results.

The decibel levels in the Stravinski Auditorium reached fever pitch as finally the announcement was made and a delighted and thoroughly deserved winner in Catch Basin was announced.

Iwan Fox

Victory was well deserved. These are quite remarkable young performers4BR

Result:

Premier Section:

Test Piece: Sanctuary! (Daniel Hall) & Own Choice Programme
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Glyn Williams

1. Catch Basin Brass Band (Andreas Lackner) — 99pts
2. BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger) — 98pts
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — 95pts
4. Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricio Cosentino) — 94pts
5. Lions Youth (Nigel Birch) — 93pts

Best Soloist — Manuel Zemp (trombone): BML Talents