The 14th French Open Brass Band Championships took place in the beautiful town of Amboise on the weekend, where a fine turn out of bands from throughout Europe delighted the crowds both in the contest hall and on the streets of the town.
Victory
In the end overall victory went to Brass Band Rijnmond from the Netherlands who took the honours in the Elite Division, with a three point winning margin over Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais, with fellow French contenders Brass Band Normandie in third.
March
Rijnmond took away with them the 1500 Euro first prize, although they couldn’t make it a double triumph in the public march contest as Lockwood Brass, conducted by John Roberts took the honours with a rousing performance of ‘The Australasian’ to take the honours and 535 Euro prize ahead of Atout Venit from France with Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais in third once more.
In the end overall victory went to Brass Band Rijnmond from the Netherlands who took the honours in the Elite Division, with a three point winning margin over Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais, with fellow French contenders Brass Band Normandie in third4BR
Excellence
In the Excellence Division, victory and the Coutois cornet prize went to Exobrass from France conducted by Harnois Giloas ahead of Euphonia from Switzerland directed by Michael Bach and with Lockwood in third.
The French Brassage Band conducted by Mathias Charton delivered a comprehensive victory in the International First/Second Division ahead of the Belgians of Brass Band De Thudinie and Dearham of the UK, whilst the sole entrant in the International Second/Third Division was Cugy Vesin who took home 1000 Euros for their efforts.
UK success
Finally, in the Third/Fourth Division there was British success as Smithills School Senior Band under Chris Wormald took the top rpize of 1000 Euro with a commanding victory over rivals Youth Atout Vents of France.
The famous Gala Concert (which invariably goes on long into the small hours) this year featured Brass Band Willebroek with guest soloist Roger Webster.
Results:
Elite Division:
1. Brass Band Rijnmond (Ivan Meylemans) – 114.00
2. Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais (Philippe Lorthios) – 111.00
3. Brass Band Normandie (Philippe Gervais) – 106.25
Excellence Division:
1. Exobrass Band (Harnois Giloas) (France) – 113.75
2. Euphonia (Michael Bach) (Switzerland) – 111.75
3. Lockwood (John Roberts) (UK) – 110.25
4. Spijerpakkenband ((Netherlands) (Thijs Oud) – 109.15
1st Division:
1. Brassage Band (Mathias Charton) (France) – 112.75
2. Brass Band de Thudinie (Jacques Clippe) (Belgium) – 107.25
3. Dearham Band (G.J.Williams) (UK) – 104.75
4. Atout Vent (William Houssoy) (France) – 100.75
2nd Division:
1. Cugy Vesin (Patrick Boissellier) (Switzerland) – 106.25
3rd Division:
1. Smithills Schools Senior Band (Chris Wormald) (UK) – 108.75
2. Youth Atout Vents (Remi Lecomte) (France) – 101.00
Best Soloist: Tuba – Brass Band Rinjmond
Outside Entertainment Prizes:
Michel Debre Venue: Brass Band Normandie
Square Venue: Spijerpakkenband
Best Soloists: Soprano Cornet — Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais; Xylophone — Exobrass
March Competition:
1. Lockwood Brass — 93
2. Atout Vent – 91
3. Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais – 90
4. Dearham Band – 89
5. Brass Band Rijnmond — 88
6. Exobrass – 80
7. Brassage Band — 79
8. Euphonia — 78
9. Smithills Schools — 77
10. Brass Band de Thudinie — 75
11. BBH — 74
12. Cugy Vesih — 73
13. Spijerpakkenband — 70
Adjudicators:
Stuart Broadbent, Roger Webster, Chris Jeans, David Horsfield, Trevor Austin (UK), Pascal Eicher (Switzerland).
