Göta Brass will represent the host nation at the 2023 European Championships in Malmo after claiming a fifth consecutive victory at the Swedish National Championships in Varnamo.

A brace of high quality performances of the set-work, 'Sollicitus' by Fredrick Schjelderup and their own-choice test-piece, 'Catharsis' by Kjetil Djønne under MD Michael Thomsen saw them claim a clear victory over nearest rival, Windcorp Brass, with Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar in third.

Happy

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We're extremely happy to secure our fifth win, especially as we have qualified for Malmö 2023.

To represent Sweden on home soil has been a long term goal for the band and will be an important step in our further development. We are grateful for the inspirational work of our brilliant conductor Michael Thomsen, who gained the 'Best Conductor' prize, and to composer Kjetil Djønne for writing us such a fantastic piece to give a world premiere."

They added: "It was a truly memorable weekend as we had to impress such a prestigious list of adjudicators and things were topped off with our brilliant flugel player Daniel Björnell gaining his second successive 'Best Soloist' award."

Commanding

Göta set up their victory with a commanding rendition of the test-piece, one that set the marker for their rivals. It was followed later by another outstanding performance from the number 1 draw as they secured the title in thrilling fashion.

Former champion Windcorp pushed the eventual winner as they delivered a fine rendition of 'Titan's Progress' as their own-choice selection, whilst there were also performances of note from Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar ('Connotations') and Solna ('The Year of the Dragon').

Title winners

The First Division title was won by Lunds Brassband as they took the honours for the first time since 2018.

Their performances of the set-work, 'Ascension' and their own-choice of 'Music of a Legacy' by Steven Ponsford saw them finish just ahead of defending champion Asenhöga Brassband, with Malmö Brass in third.

There was a first national title success for Smyrna Brass in the Second Division as they secure a clear victory over Helsingborgs Brassband and third placed Allianskyrkans Musikkår thanks to their well worked renditions of the test-piece 'Hereditas'.

In the Youth Division the title headed to Habo Small Band who finished ahead of Göteborg Youth Brass Band and Asenhöga Youth Brass Band.

The well run event gained support from Buffet Crampon, with Besson artists, Tom Smith, Roger Webster, Les Neish, Owen Farr and David Childs taking on the adjudication roles as well as performing as part of the gala concert.

To represent Sweden on home soil has been a long term goal for the band and will be an important step in our further developmentGota Brass

Results:
Elite Division:

Set test: Sollicitus (Fredrick Schjelderup)
Adjudicators (Set-Work): David Childs, Roger Webster, Les Neish
Adjudicators (Own-Choice): David Childs, Owen Farr, Tom Smith

Set work/own choice = average

1. Göta Brass Band (Michael Thomsen): 93/93 = 93.0
2. Windcorp Brass (John Philip Hannevik): 90/92 = 91.0
3. Betlehemskyrkans Musikkar (David Glänneskog): 89/88 = 88.5
4. Solna Brass (Emil Björklund): 89/87 = 88.0

Best Soloist: Daniel Björnell (flugel) — Göta Brass Band
Conductor Prize: Michael Thomsen (Göta Brass Band)

First Division:

Set test: Ascension (Frerick Schjelderup)
Adjudicators: Roger Webster, Les Neish

1. Lunds Brassband (Jörgen Flink): 92
2. Asenhöga Brassband (Patrik Randefalk): 91
3. Malmö Brass (Jan Winborg): 90
4. Södertörns Brassband (Russell Gray): 89
5. Immanuel Brass Stockholm (Andreas Lundin): 87
6. Boras Brassband (Magnus Hylander): 86

Best Soloist: Erik Wilstermann (horn) — Lunds Brassband
Conductor Prize: Russell Gray (Södertörns Brassband)

Second Division:

Set test: Hereditas (Fredrick Schjelderup)
Adjudicators: Tom Smith, Owen Farr

1. Smyrna Brass (Anders Hellman): 95
2. Helsingborgs Brassband (Jan Karlsson): 89
3. Allianskyrkans Musikkar Jönköping (Klas Grännö): 88
4. Immanuel Brass Enköping (Ann-Sofie Andersson): 85

Best Soloist: Tommy Sundblad (cornet) — Helsingborgs Brassband
Conductor Prize: Anders Hellman (Smyrna Brass)

Youth Division:

1. Habo Small Band
2. Göteborg Youth Brass Band
3. Asenhöga Youth Brass Band
4. Immanuel Minibrass Enköping
5. Södertörns Minibrass

Best Soloist: Wilmer Hedström (trombone) — Habo Small Band