Questioning the very tenets of faith can be a dangerous journey for anyone to take at present. Yet there was no doubting the self-belief displayed by Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag in successfully retaining the Norwegian national title in Bergen.

A brace of epically proportioned performances spoke of an unshakeable certainty of purpose in securing a record 21st Elite Division success. It will also be one that they will take with them as they travel to the European Championships in Palanga in a few months' time.

Led by Florent Didier, their set-work rendition of Simon Dobson's 'A Symphony of Colours' certainly tested the resolve of rivals on Friday evening — one that even outstanding accounts from Stavanger and Manger couldn't quite match.

Seeking nirvana

However, the following day they simply sought contest winning nirvana.

The collective belief in their abilities (including Jamie Smith of Grimethorpe on principal cornet) to meet the fantastical challenges of Simon Dobson's 'Jesus in Tibet' was displayed to a packed Grieghallen audience as a glorious affirmation of contesting faith.

A musical narrative based on questioning the 12 year 'disappearance' of Jesus to seek eastern Buddhist enlightenment was always going to raise an eyebrow or two.

Yet the fevered response Eikanger's performance elicited was almost an evangelical endorsement — the judges awarding 99 points in response to their brilliance (acknowledging a few little moments of unease and dynamic excess).

"It was incredible," Andreas Lackner (who was joined by Chris King and Isabelle-Ruf-Weber in the open adjudication) later told 4BR. "I just sat back and stopped writing. The technique was incredible and so too the sound and balance."

"It was the same with the set-work," Chris Houlding said, (joined in closed judging by Trond Madsen and Marius Hesby) "we could hear the extra quality of the very best bands, and the little errors, but the best for us had that extra degree of musical certainty."

Winners again

Following the announcement of the results, the Eikanger players celebrated once again with the imposing National Trophy (as well as awards for 'Best Soloist' and 'Best Section') — one they have now won 12 times in the last 15 contesting years.

"It's a fantastic feeling, especially after playing such an incredible piece," their soprano Jon Vegar Sole Sundal later told 4BR as he accepted the congratulations of well-wishers who were blown away by his individual contributions.

So too solo trombone Vidar Nordli, whose mesmeric 'snake charmer' playing at the beginning of 'Jesus in Tibet' saw him deservedly gain the 'Best Soloist' award. "I'm so happy at the moment — I just loved playing the piece and so did the band."

Blown away

As for the winning conductor Florent Didier, he said he was "simply blown away" by the performances. "They are a band that can do everything,"he said as he reflected on his second successive National title win with the band.

"I ask, they respond — nothing is too much trouble, new ideas, new approaches. I'm very fortunate to be able to conduct them and to spend time with wonderful people. The European Championship is a challenge at a different level again though, but for now we celebrate!"

Different levels indeed, as even supporters of eventual podium finishers Manger and Stavanger will have acknowledged.

Both performed outstandingly over the twin disciplines — each opting for the popular acclaim created by Thierry Deleruyelle's 'Sand and Stars' as their colourfully dramatic own-choice selections, played with judicious virtuosity.

Manger will now hope Eikanger can reclaim the European title as it will see them gain an invitation to join them at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger.

Higher plane

On this occasion though Eikanger were on a higher plane in more ways than one.

Simon Dobson's trip to the east was coloured even more vibrantly and exotically, the tonal effects and transparency of ensemble balances stunningly portrayed, the musical inflections ingenious and more authentic in source, the proportions dynamically and structurally on an epic scale.

"Just wow! Just wow!" he later told 4BR. "I sent them my first draft which they loved and then asked for me to make it even harder. Now I heard why. They can do absolutely anything and just made the score some to life."

Impressive

Behind the podium finishers came the impressive Tertnes in fourth, with the final top-six places going to a fine Brottum Brass and a slightly more fortunate Bjorsvik Brass.

Once again led by Paul Holland, Tertnes showed commanding maturity as well as clever musical thinking in their own-choice of 'Harmony Music', whilst David Morton is fast becoming the leader of a batch of highly talented young 'home' conductors in leading Brottum to fifth with a fine rendition of 'As if a voice were in them...'

Harsh heat

Bjorsvik Brass clawed back enough points after a disappointing test-piece on 'A Lowry Sketchbook' (aided by a wonderful reading by Andreas Hanson) to come sixth, but they are now feeling the heat from the likes of Oslo (led by an impressive Sebastian Haukas) who performed 'Fraternity' and Kleppe, conducted by Tormod Flaten (who played 'Where Angel's Fly').

Such is the standard at the event that Jaren and Rong were left in a little disbelief of where they ended up in the results table — relegation a harsh outcome for notable performances (Rong on the set-work, Jaren with 'Other Lives' as their own-choice) over the two days.

First Division:

They will be replaced in the Elite Division in 2025 by Oslofjord Brass and Ila Brass after they claimed the top places in a high class own-choice contest on Saturday morning.

Both have competed at Elite level in recent years (Oslofjord in 2020, Ila as recently as 2023), and showed that they will be more than capable of making their mark again with refined performances of 'Fraternity' and 'The Night to Sing'.

Maturity

There was a marked "maturity"about their playing (something adjudicator Chris Houlding, joined by Guro Haugli and Trond Madsen, highlighted when speaking to 4BR).

That certainly stood out as Oslofjord claimed their third First Division title; the experienced Frode Amundsen (in his traditional Norwegian suit), drawing tempered drama and passion from the Theirry Deleruyelle score that had commanding emotional depth as well as technical understanding.

Ila too, under the equally experienced Stig Maersk brought the defined character mix of euphoria and loss to Bramwell Tovey's affectionate recall of the VE Day celebrations in London in 1945.

Quality

Just behind there was delight for Orskog Brass as their long-term link to Foden's horn star Jonathan Bates continued on its upward trajectory (the MD wearing very non-traditional white trainers) with a vibrant account of Peter Graham's 'Angel and Demons'.

Such was the quality of the contest that fine accounts from Musikkorpset Gjallahorn, Krohnengen and Sandefjord had to be content with top-six finishes.

Gjallahorn gave a high bar marker off the number 1 draw on 'Bipolarity' to eventually finish fourth, immediately followed by Sandefjord's account of the Stijn Aertgeerts' work in coming sixth and sandwiching an equally impressive rendition from Krohnengen of 'As if a voice were in them…'

Second Division:

Friday's action in the main hall saw an engaging battle between 13 well matched Second Division bands — a contest that also saw twelve different own-choice test-pieces for the judges to compare in execution.

In the end it was a well-structured account of Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's 'Abstractions' from Radoy Brass led by Danish composer and conductor Jacob Vilhelm Larsen that secured their fifth National title at this level.

It pipped Folleso Musikklag's colourful rendition of Gareth Wood's 'Salome', with Haukas Musikklag's bold account of 'The Plantagenets' off the number 1 draw in third.

The remaining top-six places in a contest that showcased the substantive depth of Norwegian banding quality, came Flesland Musikklag's fine take on Simon Dobson's 'Torsion', Trondheim's exciting 'Voyage of Discovery' and Oster's contrasting 'Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden'.

Third Division:

There was further evidence of the solid contesting foundations on which Norwegian banding is based in the contests that took place in the smaller Peer Gynt Salon hall over the weekend.

In the Third Division it came with experience at the helm, with Russell Gray shaping a cultured rendition of Christopher Gunning's 'Wicken Fen' (last heard played at the RNCM Festival of Brass a few years ago) to give Gjesdal Brass their first ever National title.

He was certainly as delighted with the success as any of the other major top-flight accolades that have come his way over the years, as was the vastly experienced Tom Brevik who led Agder Brass into second place on 'Albinus Variations'.

Tom led Manger Musikklag to the Elite Division title in 1980 and has returned to both conducting and playing tuba after a short break.

Third place went to Linas Brass under another multiple title winning MD, in Reid Gilje (also playing 'Albinus Variaitons'), with the top-six places going to Tertnes Amatorkorps, Nes Musikkforening and Tromso Brass.

Fourth and Fifth Divisions:

There was a first time winner in the Fourth Division as Riska Brass took the honours with their performance of 'The Four Noble Truths', ahead of former champion Haugaland Brass with Lyshornet Brass in third.

In the Fifth Division the honours went to another first time champion as Evanger Musikklag led by the familiar figure of tuba star Eirik Gjerdevik gave a super of 'The Present Age' to secure victory from Kjolsdalen Musikklag and Holmestrand Brass.

Eirik's smile when the result was announced (he was playing on stage with the Norwegian Navy Band at the time) was something to behold.

Satisfaction

So too the smiles of satisfaction from the new team at the NMF organisers who rejuvenated the event this year with new communal ideas to enhance the sense of inclusion.

The determination to project Norwegian banding as a proactive force for embracing change without losing the essence of what makes the event such a joy was once again on show — from special areas of young mothers and youngsters to a gala concert that featured the stratosphere talents of trumpeter Louis Dowdeswell.

He certainly left the packed hall enjoying his self-belief in his remarkable talents — as did the newly crowned National Champion Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag.

Iwan Fox

The collective belief in their abilities to meet the fantastical challenges of Simon Dobson's 'Jesus in Tibet' was displayed to a packed Grieghallen audience as a glorious affirmation of contesting faith4BR

Results:

Elite Division:

Set-work: A Symphony of Colours (Simon Dobson)
Adjudicators: Trond Madsen, Chris Houlding, Marius Hesby
Own Choice: Adjudicators: Chris King, Isabelle Ruf-Weber, Andreas Lackner

1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Florent Didier): 96/99 = 97.50
2. Manger Musikklag (Allan Withington): 94/97 = 95.50
3. Stavanger Brass Band (Frederic Theodoloz): 95/95.5 = 95.25
4. Tertnes Brass (Paul Holland): 93/93.5 = 93.25
5. Brøttum Brass (David Morton): 92/94 = 93.00
6. Bjørsvik Brass (Andreas Hanson): 89/95 = 92.00
7. Oslo Brass Band (Sebastian Haukas): 90/92.5 = 91.25
8. Kleppe Musikklag (Tormod Flaten): 91/91 = 91.00
9. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Maurice Donnet-Monay): 87/93 = 90.00
10. Rong Brass (Prof Nicholas Childs): 88/89 = 88.50

Soloist Prize: Vidar Nordli (trombone) — Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
Best Section: Horns of Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag

First Division:

Adjudicators: Chris Houlding, Trond Madsen, Guro Haugli

1. Oslofjord Brass (Frode Amundsen): 97
2. Ila Brass Band (Stig Maersk): 96
3. Orskog Brass (Jonathan Bates): 95
4. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Kjetil Djonne): 94
5. Krohnengen Brass Band (Svein Henrik Giske): 93
6. Sandefjord Brass Symposium (Trond Husebo): 92
7. Tomra Brass Band (Frans Violet): 91
8. Askøy Brass Band (Reid Gilje): 90
9. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen): 89
10. Sola Brass Band (Gwyn Evans): 88
11. Fjell Brass Band (Joseph Cook): 87
12. Molde Brass Band (Jens Kristian Mordal): 86

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Oslofjord Brass)
Best Section: Tubas of Krohnengen Brass Band

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Isabelle Ruf-Weber, Chris King

1. Radoy Brass (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen): 95
2. Folleso Musikklag (Christian Pettersen Breistein): 94
3. Haukas Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 93
4. Flesland Musikklag (Margaret Sutherland Antrobus): 92
5. Trondheim Brassband (Andreas Havnen Hansen): 91
6. Oster Brass (Sindre Dalhaug): 90
7. Stangaland Brass (Melvin White): 89
8. Jolster Musikklag (Bjorn Breistein): 88
9. Sorum Musikklag (Philip Hannevik): 87
10. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 86
11. Manger Old Star Brass (Patrick Randefalk): 85
12. Bergen Brass Band (Thor-Arne Pedersen): 84
13. Bjorvika Brass Band (Age Jan Barlund): 83

Best Soloist: Folleso Musikklag
Best Section: Cornets of Radoy Brass

Third Division:

Adjudicators: Elisabeth Fossan, Andreas Lackner

1. Gjesdal Brass Band (Russell Gray): 96
2. Agder Brass (Tom Brevik): 95
3. Lindas Brass (Reig Gilje): 93
4. Tertnes Amatorkorps (Thorgeir Thunestvedt): 91
5. Nes Musikkforening (Thorbjorn Lunde): 90.50
6. Tromso Brass (Vidar Alvestad): 90
7. Krohnengen Old Stars (KOS) (Oyvind Nikolaisen): 89.50
8. Skui Brassband (Rune Furoy Johansen): 89
9. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Ovrebekk): 88
10. Gjovik ByBrass (Morten Fagerjord): 87.50
11. Sagvag Musikklag (Karl Ole Midtbo): 87
12. Laksevag Musikkforening (Fredrick Schjelderup): 86.50
13. Moen Musikkforening (Ole Kristian Egge):86
14. Alexander Brassband (Morten E Hansen): 85

Best Soloist: Gjesdal Brass Band
Best Section: Tubas of Tertnes Amatørkorps

Fourth Division:

Adjudicators: Elisabeth Fossan, Marius Hesby

1. Riska Brass Band (Arne Stian Aarrestad): 95
2. Haugaland Brass Band (Goran Lundberg): 94
3. Lyshornet Brass (Arild Ronaes): 93
4. Saksumdal Musikkforening (Andreas Halla): 92
5. Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen (Thomas Tengelsen Whittington): 91
6. Imi Brass (Halvor Gaard): 90
7. Valdres Brass Band (Tor Arthur Hagen): 89
8. Jonsvatnet Brass (Gerard Rooker): 88
9. Grenland Brass (David Lyngvaer Erichsen): 87
10. Rosendal Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen): 86.50
11. Flora-Bremanger Brassband (Phil Goodwin): 86
12. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding): 85.50
13. Brumunddal Brass (Erling Johan Myrseth): 85

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen)
Best Section: Trombones of Haugaland Brass Band

Fifth Division:

Adjudicators: Guro Haugli, Hakon Skjaeret

1. Evanger Musikklag (Eirik Gjerdevik): 94
2. Kjolsdalen Musikklag (Arvid Anthun): 92
3. Holmestrand Brass (David Lyngvaer Eriksen): 91.50
4. Heroy Brass (Frode Dalhaug): 91
5. Fla Musikkorps (Ingrid Oien): 90.50
6. Langhus Brass (Thomas W. Tengelsen): 89.50
7. Floro Hornmusikk (Torgeir Halvorsen): 89
8. Lismarka/Mesnali Brass (Andres Halla): 88
9. Hetlevik Musikklag (Sturle Berntsen): 87.50
10. Frei Hornmusikk (Tom Ole Elgsaas): 87
11. Norheimsund Musikklag (Viljar Bjorsvik Rath): 86.50
12. Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austnes-Undehaug): 85.50
13. Eikelandsfjorden Musikklag (Oddvar Nostdal): 85
14. Torpa BygdeBrass (Jon Kristian Solberg): 84.50

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Eikelandsfjorden Musikklag)
Best Section: Fla Musikkorps