The race will be on to be crowned champion
Whereas the Nordaland region around Bergen is considered as the vibrant geographic hub of Norwegian banding, it is the canton of Valais that provides the equally renowned competitive apex of excellence for the Swiss movement.
Perched between the Rhone Glacier and Lake Geneva, the region is also famed for its natural beauty, wines and cheeses (as well as the peculiarly named cholera pastry).
Popular destination
It’s tourism though that has made it one of Europe’s most popular winter destinations, with the Crans-Montana area - the ‘Island of Snow’ - enjoying an influx of tourists attracted by over 2,500 kilometres of ski slopes and its vibrant night life (although in January this year 41 people died in a horrific fire in a local bar).
It’s tourism though that has made it one of Europe’s most popular winter destinations, with the Crans-Montana area - the ‘Island of Snow’ - enjoying an influx of tourists attracted by over 2,500 kilometres of ski slopes and its vibrant night life
Who will enjoy the same feeling in York this weekend?
Since 2014 its banding heavyweights of Brass Band Treize Etoiles and Valaisia (above) have enjoyed a duopoly in securing the National title as well as winning four of the last five Swiss Opens and a trio of European Championships since 2018.
And with so many local village bands as part of the Cantonal Associations of Valis, Bern, Jura Geneva, Soluthurn and Innerschweiz (who commissioned the test-piece, ‘Snow Island’), the region also provides an enviable production line of playing talent, many of whom have become local, regional and national solo champions.
Underlying momentum
Much then for award winnng French composer Thierry Deleruyelle to celebrate in just over 9 and half minutes of carefully plotted writing, that like one of the testing local slalom ski slopes can only be successfully conquered with an appreciation of underlying momentum.
in just over 9 and half minutes of carefully plotted writing, that like one of the testing local slalom ski slopes can only be successfully conquered with an appreciation of underlying momentum.
It opens with a brief dynamic flourish, both tonally and dynamically, before heading straight into an extended section of rhythmically bright progress, marked 152, with razor-edged clarity to the writing.
Franz Klammer
Constancy as well as accuracy will be required. Like ‘Music of the Spheres’ at the recent British Open, the closing section is also marked bang on the same tempo with no accelerando – so there is no need for a flying Franz Klammer banzai lunge for the finishing line to close.
the closing section is also marked bang on the same tempo with no accelerando – so there is no need for a flying Franz Klammer banzai lunge for the finishing line to close.
The underpinning pulse is providing by running quavers that bubble along in some line or other all the way to a central section of melodic expression.
These elegant phrases are repeated in slightly different forms by soloists and ensemble sections, flowing over undulating ground (marked 66/80/70) and dynamically tempered to allow for subtle movement and calibration before the music hits its Presto finale (152) that heads home in a blazon of colour.
Much to enjoy
As with all Deleruyelle scores, the percussion writing is neatly integrated into the overall tonal picture to keep three or even four players busy in a work that packs a great deal of detail into its lean framework.
Much then to enjoy for the judges Brett Baker, Alan Bourne and Andrea Price on Sunday afternoon – although there won’t be the usual ‘Ski Sunday’ ‘Pop Looks Bach’ introduction before the first of the 20 contenders takes to the stage.
Getting the colour and texture right...
Contenders
The contest has been something of a North West stranglehold of late – with last year’s champion Dobcross the latest of five bands to head home with the title since 2015.
This year hopes rest with Area champion Allerton Brass, making their first appearance since 2018, the in-form Littleborough, who come with a trio of podium finishes in their last three contest outings, and Clock Face Miners Heritage who take their first National Final bow since 1971.
Across the Pennines, Yorkshire has also enjoyed success on three occasions in the past decade, although the last victory came in 2018.
Across the Pennines, Yorkshire has also enjoyed success on three occasions in the past decade, although the last victory came in 2018.
This year the White Rose will be proudly flown by Area champion Drighlington as they continue their welcome rejuvenation after a few difficult years, and Wetherby & District Silver who are back at the finals for the first time since 2019.
North and Celts
The North last raised the National trophy in triumph in 2022, so hopes of a repeat then with Area champion Barton Community (below) returning for the second time in four years, keen to better their third place finish on their last appearance in 2023.
They are joined by the consistent East Riding of Yorkshire (three podium finishes in their last three outings), making their first finals appearance since 2014.
The Celtic nations haven’t added to their title tally for a while, with Wales last tasting success in 2014 and Scotland back in 2000.
The Welsh send up a strong looking pairing of Area winner City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 and Cwmtawe, who return for a third crack at winning since 2021.
Meanwhile, the Scots will look to wave the Saltaire in triumph with champions Selkirk Brass, making their first appearance since 2023, and St David’s Brass, who take a first bow since 2017.
Meanwhile, the Scots will look to wave the Saltaire in triumph with champions Selkirk Brass (above), making their first appearance since 2023, and St David’s Brass, who take a first bow since 2017.
Long journeys
The longest journeys this year are likely to be taken by the West of England representatives.
Area champion and recent SWBBA contest winner St Pinnock from Cornwall will joined by Bream Silver from the Forest of Dean (making their first appearance since 2012), and Swindon Brass who returns for a second successive crack at the title as they trek north.
Taking the route up the M1 from London & Southern Counties will be a confident trio led by Area champion Betteshanger Colliery (above - 2024 Fourth Section National winner and runner-up at this level last year).
They are joined by Epping Forest (taking their first bow since 2019) and the consistent Tadley Concert Brass, back for the second time in four years.
Midlands hopes of a first National title victory since 2008 rest with the rejuvenated trio of Area champion Market Rasen (returning for the first time since 2018), Shirebrook Miners Welfare (a first appearance since 2012) and Avonbank (Evesham) Brass (making a second successive appearance).
4BR will be in York for the weekend to cover the event but on this occasion is unable to provide live band by band coverage due to family commitments.
Coverage
4BR will be in York for the weekend to cover the event but on this occasion is unable to provide live band by band coverage due to family commitments. The draw and results will be posted on the site as soon as possible with full news reports.
Iwan Fox
Third Section:
Test piece: Snow Island (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Adjudicators: Stephanie Binns; Nicholas Garman; Stephen Pritchard-Jones
Sunday 20th September
Draw: Noon
Start: 2.30pm
Allerton Brass (Jamie Duncan)
Avonbank (Evesham) (Micah Parsons)
Barton Community (Garry Oglesby)
Betteshangar Colliery Welfare (Mike West)
Bream Silver (Hugh Bamford)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 (John Murray)
Clock Face Miners Heritage (Will Haw)
Cwmtawe (Wayne Pedrick)
Drighlington (Nick Eastwood)
East Riding of Yorkshire (Richard Grantham)
Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter)
Littleborough (Max Stannard)
Market Rasen (Peter Richardson)
Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Chris Banks)
St David's Brass (John Dickson)
St Pinnock (Helen Varley)
Swindon Brass (Steve Yorke)
Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman)
Wetherby & District Silver (Craig Ratcliffe)
