2006 Swedish National Championships

Over a number of years Gothenburg Brass Band has dominated the contest stage and while their old rival Solna Brass has had varying favour in raising the standard, other new challengers have appeared.

Last years event saw the appearance of another exciting group from Gothenburg, Windcorp, while this year a further challenge comes from the recently formed Stockholm Brass Band. Gothenburg, Windcorp and Stockholm are mainly dominated by professional musicians and hold a very high standard indeed.

Hard contest

While the two challengers should provide a hard contest, Gothenburg with their heavy rehearsal programme, together with Dr Robert Childs and leadership by Dr Nicholas Childs on the contest platform should be too tough competition. Bethlehem’s Church, Berga Brass and Malmö Brass should take up the minor placings.

Rising quality

In tempo with the rising quality of playing, the whole event has also matured. From a very shaky period in the mid 90’s the organisers have managed to establish a high-quality and popular event. It is now the 6th consecutive year the small southern Swedish town has hosted the Festival, much thanks to the support from local authorities and volunteers.

The changes made to the programme and the contest has also attracted more performers and visitors from beyond the Swedish border and tickets to the extremely popular gala-concert are now hard to come by. Whether it is the desire to throw down the gauntlet to Gothenburg Brass Band or merely the rising interest in brass music is of no matter, in attracting higher quality players the event has become a true honey-pot for brass lovers and the listeners and supporters are the winners in the long-run.

Positive items

One of the most positive items in helping to raise standards is the seminar programme which this year includes work-shops by Roger Webster and Peter Graham.

Webster and Childs

Mr Webster will instruct on Preparation, Practice, Performance, while Mr Graham, together with the Salvation Army’s premier band, Söderkåren from Stockolm, under the leadership Lars-Otto Ljungholm, will present the obligatory test piece for the A-section, Renaissance. Peter Graham’s music dominates the contest scene this year with Alloway Tales and 3 Jazz Pieces being used in the B and C sections.

To top off the whole event, as mentioned previously, the Gala-concert this year will be performed by Mnozil Brass and Gothenburg Brass Band under the baton of Bengt Eklund and Dr Nicholas Childs.

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