Lyngby-Taarbaek Band reclaimed the Danish National in vibrant fashion in Aarhus.

Led by MD Gert Skovlod Hattesen, high-class performances over two days of the set-work 'Theme and Cooperation' by Joseph Horovitz and their own-choice of 'Angels and Demons' by Peter Graham secured a 15th title by the narrowest of margins from defending champion Concord Brass Band. Third place went to Arhus Brass ahead of Nordvestjysk Brass.

Encouragingly, for the first time in many years all the conductors in the Championship Division were Danish, as the judges, Anne Crookston, Nicholas Garman, Chris King and Mark Wilkinson enjoyed a high quality contest between well matched bands.

Worked hard

Lyngby-Taarbæk will now represent the nation at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger, with a delighted band stating on their Facebook page: "We have worked hard to re-establish the band, brought in new young, talented members, as well as invited former members back into the ring. We are beyond happy with the result."

They added: "A big thank you must go to our conductor Gert Skovlod Hattesen as well as our regular band trainer Mikkel Amsinck who have had a great understanding to get all the detail out in the music.

We are now returning to the practice room and are setting the course for the European Championship in Stavanger!"

Intriguing test

Joseph Horovitz's rarely heard composition, originally commissioned for the 1994 National Championships of Great Britain, proved to be a challenging test with its subtle shifts in rhythmic patterns and colourings.

It saw the eventual winner take a two-point margin lead into the own-choice discipline, aided by the contribution of 'Best Soloist', principal cornet, Preben Zijlstra.

And whilst Concord delivered an imposing account of Oliver Waespi's 'As If a Voice Were in Them' to head the second day of action, it wasn't quite enough to see them retain their grip on the Championship honours.

Elsewhere, Aarhus and Nordvestjysk also impressed with solid performances of 'Bipolarity' by Stijn Aertgeerts and 'The Essence of Time' by Peter Graham.

First Division:

There was also a return to the top step of the prize podium in the First Division where 2022 champion Dania Brass led by Stanley Westh claimed a clear-cut victory. It was their fourth National title success at this level.

Skanderborg Brass was runner-up with Aalborg Post Orkester in third. Defending champion Frederiksberg Brass was fourth.

Dania topped both elements of the contest, with a fine rendition of the set-work, 'A Brief History of Time' by Simon Dobson, followed by an outstanding account of 'St James's — A New Beginning'. Their talented solo euphonium player, Bente Rahbek took the 'Best Soloist' award.

Reflecting on their success on their Facebook page they simply showed a picture of the trophy stating: "Here it is then! We're looking forward to getting home and outing it on the trophy shelf".

Second Division:

Defending champion Flyverhjemmeværnets Musikkorps retained their title in fine fashion in the Second Division under Thomas Hylgaard.

Their clear four-point margin came courtesy of excellent performances of the set-work, 'The Son of Light' by Bertrand Moren, followed by Kenneth Downie's 'Purcell Variations'. Principal cornet Steen Høck Nielsen deservedly claimed the 'Best Soloist' award.

There was a much closer battle for the remaining podium places with Sejs Blaeserne coming runner-up for a second year in a row just ahead of Selandia Brass Band.

Third Division:

There was a first National title success since 1986 in the Third Division where Hjørring Brass Band claimed victory under Gert Nørgaard.

It came courtesy their own-choice selection of Gordon Langford's 'Metropolis' linked to their fine rendition of the set-work, 'Green' by Tjeerd Nijhof. The band's soprano cornet Victor Ræbild Højen Jensen took the 'Best Soloist' award.

Just behind came FDS Aarhus Musikkredswith Brass Band Da Capo in third.

We are now returning to the practice room and are setting the course for the European Championship in Stavanger!Lyngby-Taarbaek Band

Results:

Championship Division:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Nicholas Garman, Chris King, Mark Wilkinson
Set Work: Theme and Cooperation (Joseph Horovitz)
Set Work/Own Choice = Average total

1. Lyngby-Taarbaek (Gert Skovlod Hattesen): 96.0/96.0 = 96.00
2. Concord Brass Band (Jespur Juul Windahl): 94.0/97.0 = 95.50
3. Arhus Brass Band (Anne Mette Tilsted Hansen): 91.0/93.70 = 92.40
4. Nordvestjysk Brass Band (Stig Maersk): 89.0/92.30 = 90.70

First Division:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Nicholas Garman, Chris King, Mark Wilkinson
Set Work: A Brief History of Time (Simon Dobson)

1. Dania Brass Band (Stanley Westh): 90.0/93.70 = 91.80
2. Skanderborg Brass Band (Michael Bojesen): 88.0/89.0 = 88.50
3. Aalborg Post Orkester (Henrik Juul-Brinkmann): 87.00/90.00 = 88.50
4. Fredriksberg Brass Band (Dan Kocurek): 85.0/88.0 = 86.50

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman, Jocob Vilhelm Larsen
Set Work: The Son of Light (Bertrand Moren)

1. Flyverhjemmevaernets Musikkorps (Thomas Hylgaard): 95.0/96.0 = 95.50
2. Sejs Blaeserne (Jan Norgaard): 93.0/0.0 = 91.50
3. Selandia Brass Band (Andras Olsen): 91.50/91.0 = 91.30
4. Hvidovre Musikskoles Brass Band (Jona Wick): 89.5/88.5 = 89.00
5. Svogerslev Brass Band (Henrik Naeser): 86.5/86.5 = 86.50

Third Division:

Adjudicators: Anne Crookston, Jacob Vilhelm Larsen

1. Hjorring Brass Band (Gert Norgaard): 91.0/91.0 = 91.00
2. FDS AarhusMusikkreds (Simon Kjaergaard): 91.0/90.0 = 90.50
3. Brass Band Da Capo (Lars Peder Sorensen): 85.0/88.0 = 86.50