Brass Band Schoonhoven comfortably ensured their top flight credentials for their national federation's requirements by gaining to a commanding 92.5 points out of 100 in a Concert Division festival event held at the De Lawei in Drachten.

The obligatory event sees bands compete once every four years by providing a concert performance showcasing their standard, with performers having to secure over 85 points to maintain their grading.

Forgotten Brass

Under the baton of their new conductor Robbert Vos, Schoonhoven provided a programme entitled 'Forgotten Brass' with works by Wilfred Heaton, Eric Ball, Derek Bourgeois and Gilbert Vinter.

Robbert told 4BR: "In the current brass band climate, individual musicality seems to be secondary to sheer technique so I wanted to show that wasn't the case.

I also wanted to celebrate composers who have brought their unique musical voice to our movement."

Programme

Brass Band Schoonhoven opened with Heaton's 'Toccata — Oh the Blessed Lord' and followed it with Eric Ball's 'Journey into Freedom'. Derek Bourgeois' imposing 'Concerto for Bass Trombone' featured soloist Rommert Groenhof before the band rounded off their programme with Gilbert Vinter's 'Spectrum'.