The Norwegian National Champion Eikanger-Bjørsvik will honour a remarkable 40-year association with conductor Howard Snell next month with a weekend featuring a special invitational dinner and concert in Bergen that celebrates his forthcoming 90th birthday.

It marks the occasion in September 1986 when the partnership was brought into being, and which even today is remembered with huge affection and respect not only by those associated with the band but also the wider Norwegian banding community.

Conduct

Howard Snell will make the trip to Bergen with his daughter Carline for the occasion, one which will be capped by him conducting the band in the concert to be held at Asane Kulturhus (1.00pm) on Sunday 6th September.

He will direct two of his classic concert works — 'Scaramouch' by Milhaud and 'Duet for two Cats' by Rossini, featuring two former Eikanger players Grethe Tonheim on trombone and Arvid Anthuns on cornet.

The concert will be shared with the current European Youth Champions Hordaland Ungdomsbrassband, whilst memories of two ground-breaking European Championship victories in 1988 and again in 1989 as well as multiple Norwegian National Championship and Siddis victories will be recalled.

Howard's spirit

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Joining forces with the young generation of players is truly in Howard's spirit, and we hope he will enjoy the friendship and respect that will be given to him at the special gala dinner where around 80 people will attend to pay tribute.

Eikanger-Bjørsvik is honoured for having this opportunity to celebrate Howard Snell. The band is always looking to the future but is very much aware of that the present band, at any time, is standing on the shoulders of the giant of the movement."