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2012 Norwegian National Championship — Introduction to Bergen

The first major National Championship of the year takes place this weekend in Norway. 4BR will be there to find out who comes top in Bergen.

GrieghallenNot for the first – and not for the last, Norway leads the way. 

Last year it was open adjudication and the exploration into the possibilities of live streaming. 

Even further

This year the Norwegian Music Federation have gone even further – with the setting up of a brand new Fifth Division to further encourage developing bands and the provision of full live streaming of every section of the entire Norwegian Championships – all for less than the cost of a pint of local lager.

It is that sense of ambition that defines every aspect of what the Norwegians wish to achieve with an event which is now in its 33rd year. 

Banding history and tradition is respected, but unlike the UK, it is not a dead weight that draws the lifeblood out of progress. 


King David VIII last year in Bergen...

Smoothly

It has meant quite a bit or reorganisation, but thanks to the fine work for Head of Communications Stig Ryland and his team, and the NMF shifting 28 bands into new Divisions (there are also seven debutants bands in the Fifth Division) everything should run smoothly.   

It will once again be a vibrant, exciting, and at times a little puzzling event. 

Where else can you get to hear works by such diverse compositional voices as Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen up against Eric Ball - in the Fifth Section, or Third Section bands opting to play ‘Spectrum’ and ‘The Wayfarer’.


There is plenty for the audiences to enjoy in Bergen...

Savour

And where else can you sit back and savour the prospect of a head to head battle between the current Champion Band of Europe against the defending National champion, led by two of the most exciting conductors in the banding world?

The Grieghallen in Bergen is the place to be this weekend – although sitting in your front room watching the action as it unfolds without having to worry about the rather extortionate cost of a real pint of Norwegian lager comes a close second.

4BR will of course be making the trip across the North Sea once more - providing live commentary on the Elite bands as well as bringing you a flavour of what is going on over the two days through the 4BR site daily blog, Twitter (#nmbrass2012) and Twit Pic.

Iwan Fox



Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 21 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have vacancies for PERCUSSION players. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials. It would be great to hear from you if you would like to join the band or if you could help out when needed for concerts.


Mereside Brass

June 16 • MERESIDE BRASS have a vacancy for a SOLO CORNET player maybe PRINCIPAL for the right player. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs, occasional contests & socials. Players of all ages & sections are welcome to visit or join us


Epping Forest Band

June 16 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

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