Norwegian National champion Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag recently held the first weekend seminar of their new youth programme, EBML Talent.
An ensemble made up of 11 young brass band players from the band's local area were brought together under the baton of Eikanger's principal cornet Stanley Westh, who is the inspirational lead for the project which has gained funding from donors Trond Mohn, Sparebanken Vest and Frifond.
Challenged
The players were certainly challenged in their playing with the demanding repertoire from various genres — including original brass band music such as 'Labour & Love' to Danish folk music and pop classics like 'All Night Long'.
Later on the same day the ensemble held a short concert to showcase their progress.
Long term approach
An Eikanger spokesperson told 4BR: "With this initiative, Eikanger is helping to implement a long term approach to encouraging and developing youth talent.
This included a workshop with Eikanger's solo Eb tuba player, Sebastian Lamberg Torjusen, who talked through practice techniques, musical outlook and techniques into developing improvisation skills.
Each of the 11 players was also challenged to develop their own solo playing during the next 12 months — the first steps of which will see them perform solos to their fellow players on the next course."
With this initiative, Eikanger is helping to implement a long term approach to encouraging and developing youth talentEikanger Bjorsvik Band.
Invaluable experience
It was revealed that the players have recently been gaining invaluable experience by joining rehearsals with Eikanger-Bjørsvik under the leadership of Reid Gilje. Repertoire that they were part of rehearsing included Philip Wilby's 'Masquerade' and 'Vienna Night' and Verdi's 'La Forza del Destino'.
The players also benefited from individual tuition from senior Eikanger players.
The spokesperson added: "The main short term aim of the EBML Talent project is for the 11 players to be a part of Eikanger's pre-EBBC 2020 concert in Bergen just before the band heads to Palanga."
