On Sunday 30th November, VLAMO, the Flemish Amateur Music Association held the Belgian National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Music Conservatoire of Brussels.
Upset
There was something of an upset in the main Championship Section contest, where reigning champion Brass Band Willebroek saw their hopes of representing the home country at the 2009 European Championships in Ostend, dashed by Festival Brass Band, conducted by Manu Mellarts.
Second band
After seven consecutive victories Willebroek, Festival Brass became only the second band this Millennia to deny the three time European Champion a domestic victory. With Noordlimburgse Brass Band coming second, it would appear that Willebroek’s hopes of an 18th appearance at the premier European event have been ended.
After seven consecutive victories Willebroek, Festival Brass became only the second band this Millennia to deny the three time European Champion a domestic victory4BR
British trio
Interestingly there was a trio of British judges for the Championship Section contest, where bands played Eric Ball’s arrangement of ‘Checkmate’.
High class contest
In what was a high class contest, with a number of fine performances from each of the six contenders they opted for the Festival Brass, who in the process not only won the a Besson Sovereign cornet, but also booked themselves a place at the European Championship.
Second placed Noordlimburgse will also take part in the Ostend event, playing the pieces entered in the 'European Composers Contest'.
First Section
In the First Section, it was the fast rising Brass Band Heist conducted by Bert Van Thienen who claimed yet another victory (their third of a successful contesting year), which means they will be promoted to the Championship Section in 2009 after their performance of the set work, ‘James Cook –Circumnavigator’ and own choice selection, ‘Golland’s ‘Concerto for Band’ gave them a clear nine point win over Brassband Zele.
Second Division
In the Second Division Brass Band Leieland conducted by Wouter Loose took the honours with two solid performances including the test piece, ‘Kaleidoscope’ and own chpoice selection, ‘Spectrum’, whilst in the Third it was Brass a Musica, Michaël Dils that claimed victory with their duo of performances that included the set work, ‘Lydian Pictures’ and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’.
Results:
Championship Division:
1. Festival Brass Band, Manu Mellaerts — 560pts
2. Noordlimburgse Brass Band, Ivan Meylemans – 558pts
3= Brass Band Willebroek, Frans Violet – 554pts
3= Brassband Buizingen, Luc Vertommen – 554pts
5. Metropole Brass Band, Guy Audenaert – 540pts
6. Kortrijk Brass Band, Nigel Seaman – 520pts
Adjudicators: David Horsfield, Malcolm Brownbill, Paul Cosh
First Division:
1. Brass Band Heist, Bert Van Thienen – 530pts
2 Brassband Zele, Bart Van der Strieckt – 521pts
Adjudicators: Steven Pritchard-Jones, Raymond Tennant, Dirk Lautenbach
Second Division:
1. Brass Band Leieland, Wouter Loose – 517pts
2. Brassband Scaldis, Erwin Pallemans – 507pts
3. Mons St. Georges Brassband, Thiery Descamps – 470pts
Disqualified: Brassband Panta, Paul Voet
Adjudicators: Steven Pritchard-Jones, Raymond Tennant, Dirk Lautenbach
Third Division:
1. Brass a Musica, Michaël Dils – 504pts
2. Brassband Euterpe, Roland Van Buggenhout – 501pts
3. Kon. Brassband Retie, Kevin Houben – 500pts
Adjudicators: Steven Pritchard-Jones, Raymond Tennant, Dirk Lautenbach
