The Siddis Brass Championships takes place in Stavanger on Saturday when 54 Norwegian bands showcase their very particular brands of brass band entertainment.

The event started in 1983 for Elite Division contenders, with the First (1985), Second (1993), Third (1995) and Fourth Division (2010) events added as the competition grew. Since 2012 it has been held at Stavanger's impressive Konserthus which will also host the 2023 European Brass Band Championship.

Reputation

It is also a competition that has gained a renowned reputation for innovation, with bands given one mark (out of 100) for musical content and quality, and one mark (out of 10) for entertainment — allowing for a less prescriptive approach to their ideas.

These are condensed into 24 minute sets in the Elite and First Division, 21 minutes in the Second, 19 in the Third and 18 in the Fourth. The winner of the Elite Division also gains an invitation to compete at Brass in Concert Championship if they so wish.

Interest

There will be a great deal of interest in what the bands come up with this year — and not just in the Elite Division which starts at 2.30pm (local time).

Programmes in the top section for instance are as diverse as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Pride movement and the story of Syrian refugee integration to a set inspired by moon landing conspiracy theories and one by Las Vegas style magic.

In the First Division something Blue to something Ball (Eric that is), Moods to Memory Lane, whilst in the Second you can enjoy Dreams and Friends to Sea Journeys and Journeys into Fusion.

Brexit

Third Division contenders embrace everything from television themes to contemplations whist in the Fourth you can enjoy a homage to Michael Buble and even a set inspired by Brexit. (Yep — you can't get away from it even here...)

The action is also being live-streamed through BrassPass.tv.

Meanwhile, 4BR is making the trip over to Stavanger to bring you our comments and thoughts about the programmes in the Elite and First Divisions as they unfold before us, as well as a full news report on the contest itself with the results.

It is also a competition that has gained a renowned reputation for innovation, with bands given one mark for musical content and quality, and one mark for entertainment — allowing for a less prescriptive approach to their ideas4BR

Competing bands:
Elite Division:

2.30pm
Adjudicators: Joseph Parisi, Rieks van der Velde, Kjell Inge Torgersen

1. Oslo Brass Band (Kai Grinde Myrann)
2. Krohnengen Brass Band (Garry Cutt)
3. Kleppe Musikklag (Trond Helland)
4. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje)
5. Manger Musikklag (Martin Philip Winter)
6. Stavanger Brass Band (Allan Withington)
7. Bjørsvik Brass (Frode Amundsen)
8. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Lars Erik Gudim)
9. Tertnes Brass (Sindre Dalhaug)

First Division:

9.00am
Adjudicators: Morten Fagerjord & Stan Nieuwenhuis

1. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen)
2. Rong Brass (David Morton)
3. Askøy Brass Band (Svein Henrik Giske)
4. Montebello Brass (Prof Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling)
5. Flesland Musikklag (Arvid Anthun)
6. Ila Brass Band (Bjørn Breistein)
7. Sola Brass Band (Gwyn Evans)
8. Oslofjord Brass (John Philip Hannevik)
9. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Rune Hannisdal)

Second Division:

Kuppelhallen
9.00
Adjudicators: Les Neish & Anne Crookston

1. Skui Brassband (Tormod Flaten)
2. Bergen Brass Band (Thor-Arne Pedersen)
3. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E. Hansen)
4. Radøy Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
5. Follesø Musikklag (Thorgeir Thunestvedt)
6. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen)
7. Haukås Musikklag (Egil Magnussen)
8. Sagvåg Musikklag (Christopher King)
9. Sørum Musikklag (Sebastian HaukÃ¥s)
10. Fjell Brass (Joseph W. Cook)
11. Agder Brass (Thomas Swatland)
12. Oster Brass (David Morton)
13. KOS Krohnengen Old Stars (Rune Hannisdal)

Third Division:

Zetlitz
9.30am
Adjudicators: Frank Brodahl & Selmer Simonsen

1. Lyshornet Brass (Christian Breistein)
2. Lindås Brass (Vidar Nordli)
3. Stangaland Brass (Paul Hughes)
4. Randaberg Musikkorps (PÃ¥l Magne Austnes-Underhaug)
5. Laksevåg Musikkforening (Fredrick Schjelderup)
6. Seim Musikklag (Torstein T. Holmås)
7. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Øvrebekk)
8. Hetlevik Musikklag (Sturle Berntsen)
9. Tysvær Brass (Martin Kinn)
10. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen)
11. Gjesdal Brassband (Jonas Skartveit Rogne)

Fourth Division:

Lille Konsertsal
9.00am
Adjudicators: Adam Cooke & Lee Rigg

1. Sotra Brass (Ben Hirons)
2. Riska Brass Band (Espen Westbye)
3. Fitjar Musikklag (Svein Roger Koppang)
4. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Linas Dakinevicius)
5. Langhus Brass (Tomas Austestad)
6. IMI Brass (Halvor Gaard)
7. Indre Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars Bjørnar Strengenes)
8. Karmsund Brass (Steinar Andsnes)
9. Norheimsund Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk)
10. Tasta Brass (Morten Øvrebekk)
11. Kløvheim Brass (Oddvar Nøstdal)
12. Jørpeland Musikkorps (Paul Farr)