The on-line solo competition launched by Salford University student Christopher Hall has proved to be an overwhelming success, with 75 entries from across the banding world taking part.

It made for a difficult task for adjudicators Ben Dixon and Brett Baker as they blind-judged all the recordings.

Great response

Brett told 4BR: "What a great response and what a fantastic standard too — with the top five in particular quite magnificent. The other noticeable thing was the maturity of some of the younger players. Well done to everyone that took part in such a great idea"

Meanwhile, Ben added: "The event has proved to be a huge success and I was also delighted with the standard of the entries, especially the younger entrants who played with such maturity. Congratulations go to everyone.

There was some outstanding quality playing on display."

Brilliant success

The success of the first event has given Christopher to appetite to do it again — although he has spent most of the last few days ensuring every competitor is sent their certificate and their feedback adjudications.

"It's been a brilliant success and has helped me with my studies enormously,"he said. "My thanks go to everyone who took the time to enter — it was incredible to hear players from all across the banding world."

Swiss winner

The overall winner was 16 year old cornet player Oriane Bruckel from Treize Etoile Band in Switzerland, who claimed the title with stunning rendition of Gilles Rocha's 'The Cry of the Soul'.

Just behind came Norwegian trombone star Havard Vaage who performed Christian Lindberg's 'Joe Jack Binglebandit', with the final podium slot also taken by a Swiss representative, flugel player Gabriel Murisier, performing Philip Wilby's 'Flight'.

Such was the standard that just outside the top three came well known players such as 2018 European Solo Championship runner-up, Lionel Fumeaux and the brilliant Norwegian sop player Preben Johansen.

Title winners

Preben did however take the 'Slow Melody' award with his sinuous rendition of Debussy's 'Syrinx', whilst Gabriel Murisier took the 'Best Student' accolade.

Up and coming euphonium star Sebastian Rowe took the 13-15 years of age title with his performance of 'The Nightingale', whilst the 12 & Under award was claimed by cornet player Jennifer Richardson playing 'Song of the Night Sky'.

The youngest player was the brilliant Glyn Stokes, aged 7, who gave a cracking performance of 'Strollin' on cornet.

What a great response and what a fantastic standard too — with the top five in particular quite magnificentAdjudicator, Brett Baker

Results:

Overall:

1. Oriane Bruckel (cornet)
2. HÃ¥vard Vaage (trombone)
3. Gabriel Murisier (flugel)
4. Arnaud Deleze (baritone)
5. Lionel Fumeaux (bass trombone)
6. Preben Johansen (soprano cornet)
7. Douglas Couchman (cornet)
8. Philipp Buri (baritone)
9. Jonah Zimmerman (euphonium)
10. Lucie Vergere (tuba)

Best Cornet: Oriane Bruckel
Best Horn: Gabriel Murisier
Best Baritone: Arnaud Deleze
Best Euphonium: Jonah Zimmerman
Best Tenor Trombone: Havard Vaage
Best Bass Trombone: Lionel Fumeaux
Best Tuba: Lucie Vergere
Best Percussion: Jordan Ashman
Best Unaccompanied Solo: Oriane Bruckel
Best Air & Variation: Lionel Fumeaux

Slow Melody:

1. Preben Johansen
2. Harry Law
3. Ellie Warren

Best Student:

Gabriel Murisier

16-18:

1: Oriane Brückel (cornet)
2. Harry Law (euphonium)
3. Megan Newbery (cornet)

13-15:

1. Sebastian Rowe (euphonium)
2. Lia Teague (cornet)
3. Joseph Pickard (cornet)

12 & Under:

1. Jennifer Richardson (cornet)
2. Michael MacDonald (cornet)
3. Noomi Helene Aasen (cornet)

Youngest Player: Glyn Stokes (7) — Strollin' (cornet)