EBBA has announced further details of the major test-pieces to be used at the forthcoming European Championships in Stavanger in May.

Major works

The major works for the senior Championship and Challenge Section events come from the pens of rising compositional talents, Fredrick Schjelderup and Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen — both 4BR 'Newcomer of the Year' award winners.

Championship Section:

Transitions in Energy (Fredrick Schjelderup)

'Transitions in Energy' has been developed from an original concept idea by Olav M. Skar to challenge the Championship Section bands.

It reflects on the role the production of the sources of energy has on the development of the earth and the society, as well as the challenges it brings for future generations through climate concerns.

Written in three continuous movements entitled — The Past, The Present and The Future, the central section is an 'In Memoriam' tribute to the lives lost in the Alexander L. Kielland disaster in Norway on the 27th March 1980 when 123 lives were lost, and which today still sees families and loved ones seek closure.

Challenge Section:

Embracing Duality (Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen)

This new work by the 2024 4BR 'Newcomer of the Year' award winning composer is inspired by Norse mythology and the figure of Hel, the ruler of the underworld.

A complex figure reflecting on the cyclical nature of life and death, Hel represents the idea that death is not to be feared, but instead should be accepted as a natural part of existence, with her realm, Helheim, serving as a place of rest and judgement for departed souls.

Hel is often depicted as having a dual appearance; one half of her body of a living woman, while the other half that of a corpse — symbolising her dominion over both life and death.

Further information:

For more information about the composers: https://ebbc.musikkorps.no/competitions#about-the-composers