An appreciation of the restorative benefits of 'The Triumph of Time' certainly aided Brassband Schoonhoven as they reclaimed the Dutch National title in Utrecht on the weekend.

A superb rendition of Peter Graham's horologic work led by Ian Porthouse saw them lift the National title for the fifth time — and their first since 2013.

Open podium

It was a victory every bit as good, if not better than the four previously enjoyed at the event as they produced a performance that would have surely have pushed for a podium finish at the recent British Open in Birmingham.

In addition, it was also an outstanding 'triumph' that restored Schoonhoven to the top of Dutch banding after a two year hiatus and gave a huge boost of confidence ahead of their forthcoming trip to perform at the Brass in Concert Championship. They will now represent the nation at the European Championships in Ostend in 2017.

Although the eventual margin over rivals Brassband De Bazuin Oenkerk was a single point, with Brassband de Waldsang two points further back, in reality the gap was every bit as clear as that achieved by Cory at Symphony Hall.

"This is a very good band with a very good conductor!"adjudicator Reid Gilje wrote in his remarks, whilst Russell Gray simply stated; "I am going to stop writing for a while."Luc Vertommen added; "Top class. Bravo director — most intelligent and emotional reading!! The very best for me."

The trio later confirmed to 4BR that Schoonhoven was a very clear winner, whilst Peter Graham, who had made the trip to the event for the first time in 20 years, also heaped praise on their performance, adding that he felt it was 'quite outstanding'.

Emotional scenes

Little wonder then that there were emotional scenes on the stage of TivoliVredenburg hall, as two years of spent up emotion was released in vocal acclaim — the MD engulfed in a sea of Schoonhoven celebrations.

"We have waited a long time to enjoy victory again,"Band Chairman Leon Monteny told 4BR.

"Ian Porthouse did an amazing job, working us so hard in the past 10 days. That paid off with a memorable performance. We have really enjoyed working with him and we now look forward to our trip to the UK for the Brass in Concert Championship and to Ostend next year."

Meanwhile, for the winning conductor, there was also a great deal of personal satisfaction. "Schoonhoven is a band very much like Tredegar — with the same drive and determination to do well. I get a great deal of pleasure from working with players that are open to new ideas and eager to put in the hard graft to achieve success.

Peter Graham's piece is such a difficult test, but the band really produced something special on it. The victory belongs to them: They literally put in the time on the piece that it demanded — and they thoroughly deserved it."

Overall quality

In a contest that impressed the judges with its overall quality, De Bazuin Oenkerk pushed Schoonhoven closest with a lyrical rendition of high-risk malleability under Klaas van der Woude, whilst a solidly portrayed account from Brassband de Waldsang under Rieks van der Velde ended third.

Before the announcement of the results, Russell Gray told the audience that "…all the bands acquitted themselves admirably,"although he added that it was a "mixed bag"from some with "…exceptional playing and flawed playing almost side by side". He made it clear however that there had been complete agreement over what he called, "a very clear winner."

That also seemed to be the straw poll opinion from the majority of people in the hall as Schoonhoven's splendid trombone team took the 'Best Section' award.

Although there was an audible intake of breath with the announcement of the high energy Brassband Rijnmond in last place, there seemed little disagreement with the remaining top-six placings of Soli Brass, defending champion Provinciale Brassband Groningen and Amsterdam Brass.

Blue Jeans triumph

There was also a return to the winner's enclosure for De Spijkerpakkenband in the First Division as the denim clad ensemble claimed an equally impressive victory under Erik Janssen.

They gave a compelling performance of Etienne Crausaz's eclectically structured 'Sinfonietta No 3', aided by their 'Best Horn & Flugel Section' to secure a clear two point margin of victory from Chr. Brassband Excelsior with Oefening en Uitspanning in third.

The remaining top-six places went to Kunst naar Kracht, ahead of defending champion Pro Rege and Brassband Breukelen.

Little doubt

Once again there was little doubt in the minds of the adjudicators Russell Gray, Reid Gilje and Luc Vertommen over the decisiveness of the victory, with Luc stating that although the overall standard was good they felt only one band clearly mastered the complex structure of the score with its varied themes and motifs.

Meanwhile, speaking to 4BR, MD Erik Janssen was delighted with a victory that further enhanced De Spijkerpakkenband's reputation as one of the growing forces of Dutch banding.

"This band is growing with every performance,"he said. "We want to compete at the highest level possible and the players all wish to improve together. We have a great atmosphere in the band — one which will be made even better when we celebrate tonight!"

Huygens successful Raid

There was also a stamp of quality about the Second Division, as Constantijn Huygens reclaimed the title with an excellent performance off the number 1 draw of 'The Raid' by Oliver Waespi.

Richard Visser's band certainly provided the 'drive, drama and good use of dynamics' — including dramatic silences, judges David Thornton, Mareika Gray and Danny Oosterman were looking for, whilst their high class soloists also delivered with 'creativity and considered risk taking' too.

It was also stated by David Thornton that each of the eight contenders gave performancs of considerable merit, with Gloria Dei (aided by their 'Best Tuba' section) and De Lofklank claiming podium finishes ahead of Brassband Amersfoort, De Bazuin B Oenkerk and Brass Band Schoonhoven B.

Double success for Werkman

The excellently run event in a compact venue (seating 1700) once again showed that the NBK organisers have found a wonderful new home for the Dutch National Championships — one that is sure to provide a warm welcome to the European Championships in 2018.

It was also a vibrant hub of activity for the Friday afternoon and evening contests which resulted in a 'double' triumph for conductor Jan Werkman.

First he led Immanuel to victory off the number 1 draw in the Fourth Section on Dan Price's 'An English Pastorale' before a little later directing Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen to success in the Third Section on 'Visions' by Dan Price.

The 31 year old is one of the rising conducting talents of Dutch banding, although he was quick to ensure that it was the players of both bands that took the credit for their wins.

"I've been conducting Groningen since 2009 and Immanuel from 2013,"he said. "Both bands are full of friends and players who enjoy making music together. The victories are down to their hard work."

Emotional

Groningen's success was also an emotional one, as it enabled them to enjoy the celebrations with tuba player Derek Buten who is battling serious illness. He was not well enough to play on the day, but was on hand to help lift the trophy surrounded by his fellow players.

Immanuel's winning performance was described by the judges as 'excellent', although Danny Oosterman did state that it had been close between the top three of Immanuel, defending champion Euphonia and Blaast de Bazuin. The remaining top-six places went to Felison Brass (whose excellent solo cornet won the 'Best Cornet' award), Brassband Opsterland and Chr.muziekvereniging Concordia.

Excellent musical intentions

In the Third Division adjudicator Mareika Gray congratulated the competitors on their 'excellent musical intentions' — although she did state that 'just because you can play fast, it doesn't mean you have too', before praising the quality and bravery of the baritone players who had to open the performance.

None came better than the 'Best Euphoniums and Baritones' of second placed Blaast de Bazuin who ended just a point behind the eventual winners. Third place went to Greidebrass with the remaining top-six places taken by Looft den Heer, Apollo (Piet Visser) and De Nije Bazun.

Peter Graham's piece is such a difficult test, but the band really produced something special on it. The victory belongs to them: They literally put in the time on the piece that it demanded — and they thoroughly deserved itIan Porthouse

Results:

Championship Section:

Set-Work: The Triumph of Time (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Russell Gray, Reid Gilje, Luc Vertommen

1. Brassband Schoonhoven A (Ian Porthouse): 98
2. Brassband De Bazuin Oenkerk (Klaas van der Woude): 97
3. Brassband de Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde): 95
4. Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg): 94
5. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Richard Visser): 93
6. Amsterdam Brass (Pierre Volders): 92
7. ProClass Brass Band Limburg (Renato Meli): 90
8. Altena Brass (Anno Appelo): 89
9. Brassband Rijnmond (Erik van de Kolk): 88

Best Trombone Section: Brassband Schoonhoven

First Division:

Set-Work: Sinfonietta No 3 (Etienne Crausaz)
Adjudicators: Russell Gray, Reid Gilje, Luc Vertommen

1. De Spijkerpakkenband (Erik Janssen): 94
2. Chr. Brassband Excelsior (Rieks van der Velde): 92
3. Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo): 91
4. Kunst naar Kracht (Erik Kluin): 89
5. Pro Rege (Anne van den Berg): 88
6. Brassband Breukelen (Syde van der Ploeg): 87

Best Horn/Flugel Section: De Spijkerpakkenband

Second Division:

Set-Work: The Raid (Oliver Waespi)
Adjudicators: Mareika Gray, David Thornton, Danny Oosterman

1. Constantijn Huygens (Richard Visser): 95
2. Gloria Dei (Jaap Musschenga): 93
3. De Lofklank (Gerk Huisma): 92
4. Brassband Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage): 91
5. De Bazuin B Oenkerk (Sietse Hamersma): 90
6. Brass Band Schoonhoven B (Robbert Vos): 89
7. Martini Brassband (Rieks van der Velde): 88
8. Excelsior Ferwert (Herman Sibma): 87

Best Section: Tubas (Gloria Dei)

Third Section:

Set-Work: Visions (Dan Price)
Adjudicators: Mareika Gray, David Thornton, Danny Oosterman

1. Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen (Jan Werkman): 93
2. Blaast de Bazuin (Aline Werkman-Schipper): 92
3. Greidebrass (Marco Middelberg): 90
4. Looft den Heer (Gijs Heusinkveld): 89
5. Apollo (Piet Visser): 88
6. De Nije Bazun (Piet van der Heide): 86
7. Backum Brass (Vincent Verhage): 85
8. Kunst en Vriendschap (Henk van Loon): 84

Best Section: Euphoniums and Baritones of Blaast de Bazuin

Fourth Division:

Set Work: An English Pastorale (Dean Jones)
Adjudicators: Mareika Gray, David Thornton, Danny Oosterman

1. Immanuel (Jan Werkman): 88
2. Euphonia (Paulus de Jong): 87
3. Blaast de Bazuin (Paulus de Jong): 86
4. Felison Brass (Patricia Geertse): 85
5. Brassband Opsterland (Martine Reijinga): 83
6. Chr. muziekvereniging Concordia (Gouke Gerben Wielenga): 81

Best Cornet: Felison Brass

Withdrew: Soli Deo Gloria (Sijtze van der Hoek)