The Gota Brass Band claimed a hat-trick of Swedish National title successes in Varnamo on the weekend.

A brace of finely judged performances of the set-work, 'Salute to Youth' by Gilbert Vinter and their own-choice selection of 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' under MD Michael Thomsen gave them a narrow half point margin of victory over rivals Windcorp Brass Band, with Solna Brass in third.

European qualification

The band, which was only formed in 2015, will now prepare for their appearance at the 2020 European Championships in Palanga.

The top two bands engaged in a closely fought battle, with Windcorp ending the first day in front after they delivered an impressive rendition of the Vinter under the baton of John Philip Hannevik.

However, the tables were turned the following day as Gota's dramatic interpretation of Simon Dobson's portrait of Bela Bartok proved a clear winner ahead of their rival's engaging performance of 'A London Overture'. Gota's outstanding principal cornet Mikkel Amsinck took a deserved 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Third placed Solna performed 'Stonehenge' by Jan van der Roost, with fourth placed Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar playing 'Paganini Variations'.

Weight in gold

Speaking about their success on their Facebook page, Gota Brass Band stated: "The band would like to thank our outstanding conductor, Michael Aaberg Thomsen. His preparatory work during autumn and his calm during the competition was worth its weight in gold!"

They added: "We would also like to thank the organisers, Svenska Brassbandförbundet (SBBF) and everyone involved who makes sure the festival becomes an annual holiday.

Now we look East to towards Palanga. We are already preparing and are looking forward to once again representing Sweden at the contest."

First Division

In the First Division there was a first victory for Malmo Brass Band conducted by Jan Winborg as they claimed a narrow single point margin of victory from defending champion Lunds Universitets Band, with 2017 champion, Asenhoga Brass Band in third.

After coming third in the past two years, the band, which was formed as far back as 1891, gave a refined rendition of Eric Ball's 'Sunset Rhapsody' to set the foundation of their success, helped by the excellent contribution of their 'Best Section' euphonium team and their 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner, Jerker Lindgren Gotstenon flugel.

They followed it with an exciting rendition of 'Ex Terra Lucem' by Jonathan Bates to secure victory ahead of Lund's colourful 'Trittico' and Asenhoga's bold, 'Viking Age'.

Title success

In the Second Division there was a first National title success for Gaudium Brass Band as they claimed a clear two point winning margin form rivals Boras Brass Band with Allianskyrkans Musikklar Jonkoping, whilst the popular mini-brass section went to Habo Small Band.

The band would like to thank our outstanding conductor, Michael Aaberg Thomsen. His preparatory work during autumn and his calm during the competition was worth its weight in gold!Gota Brass Band

Results:

Elite Division:

Adjudicators:
Set-work: Arvid Anthun, Grethe W Tonheim, Anne Crookston
Own choice: Ray Farr, Grethe W Tonheim, Anne Crookston
Set-work/Own choice = Total

1. Gota Brass Band (Michael Thomsen): 90.0/93.0 = 91.5
2. Windcorp Brass Band (John Philip Hannevik): 91.0/91.0 = 91.0
3. Solna Brass (Emil Bjorklund): 86.0/89.0 = 87.5
4. Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar (David Glänneskog): 84.0/87.0 = 85.5

Best Instrumentalist: Mikkel Amsinck (cornet) — Gota Brass Band
Best section: Windcorp Brass Band (horns)
Conductors award (test-piece): John Philip Hannevik (Windcorp Brass Band)

First Division:

Adjudicators: Arvid Anthun, Ray Farr
Set-work/Own choice = Total

1. Malmo Brass Band (Jan Winborg): 92.0
2. Lunds Universitets Band (Roger Andersson): 91.0
3. Asenhoga Brass Band (Patrik Randefalk): 90.0
4. Torsby Brass (Berit Palmquist): 89.0
5. Sodertorns Brass (Mattias Hjortlinger): 88.0
6. Halmstad Brass (Mikael Johansson): 88.0
7. Smyrna Brass (Anders Hellman): 86.0
8. Immanuel Brass Stockholm (Anders Lundin): 85.0
9. Immanuel Brass Jonkoping (Magnus Hylander): 84.0

Best Instrumentalist: Jerker Lindgren Gotsten (flugel) — Malmo Brass Band
Best Section: Malmo Brass Band (euphoniums)
Conductors award (test-piece): Berit Palmquist (Torby Brass)

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Grethe W. Tonheim
Set-work/Own choice = Total

1. Gaudium Brass Band (Mattias Hjortlinger): 90
2. Boras Brass Band (Magnus Hylander): 88
3. Allianskyrkans Musikklar Jonkoping (Magnus Rydberg): 84
4. Gnosjo Brass Band (Jan Hultegard): 82
5. Bors Brass Band (Ulrik Lundqvist): 81
6. Limhamns Brass Band (Andreas Wetterlund): 80
7. Immanuel Brass Enkoping (Ann-Sofie Andersson): 79
8. VM-Brasset Vaxjo (Leif Pettersson): 78

Best Instrumentalist: David Lyckelid (euphonium) — Boras Brass Band
Best Section: Gaudium Brass Band (euphoniums)
Conductors award (test-piece): Mattias Hjortlinger (Gaudium Brass Band)

Mini-Brass:

1. Habo Small Band
2. Bors Ungdomsbrassband
3. GYBB — Goteborg Youth Brass Band
4= ArKaTo Minibrass
4= Gnosjo Minibrass
4= Immanuel Minibrass — Enkoping
4= Sodertorns Minibrass
4= AYBB — Asenhoga Youth Brass Ban

Best Instrumentalist: Lydia Hom (flugel) — Habo Small Band
Conductors award (test-piece): Ulrika Holm (Habo Small Band)

Festival Class:

Swedish Central Band

Enthusiast of the year: Mikael Johansson (Halmstad Brass)