The 2010 British Open & Solo Quartet Championship became a European delight on Sunday, after four of the five titles on offer went to performers from Belgium.

Marathon not a sprint

The championships, which are geneously supported once again by Tameside Council, proved to be a musical marathon, with the whole day lasting over ten hours.

However, it proved to be worth it for the army of European challengers that are now regularly attendees at the event, with four titles deservedly finding their way back to Belgium.

This was virtuoso playing with the formidable technique of course but also a musicality and control and phrasing in the quieter movements James Scott's judging comments on Harmen Vanhoorne

Harmen's victorious

Cornet star Harmon Vanhoorne, from Brass Band Buizingen was delighted after he was crowned the British Open Solo Champion, having performed 'Fortunes Fool' which left the adjudicator's Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott paying him the ultimate compliment by listening and writing almost nothing on their judging sheets.

McCabe runner up

Rothwell's principal cornet, James McCabe took the runners up spot whilst the defending champion, Jef Vermeiren had to settle for third.

Long preliminaries

The day started on the stroke of 10.30am, with 34 competitors starting out in the hope of being crowned British Solo Champion and with it claiming the £350 in prize money and a chance to compete at the Ern Keller event in Austrailia next February.

The adjudicator's David Roberts and Thomas Wyss spent five and half hours listening to the performers, and in addition to selecting the finalists, they also decided on the five individual champions — three of which went on to appear in the final itself.

Exit as champion quartet

It was a case of 'exit as winners' for Exit Brass, as the three members of Brass Band Buizingen (including Harmen Vanhoorne) with the help of Glen van Looy of Brass Band Heist took the Senior Quartet title in convincing style

Runner up were four students from London, aptly named The Thames Quartet, whilst Cosy Brass from Belgium, who were given permission to play first to enable them to catch their flight at Manchester Airport, were third.

Lode defends

Further Belgium success came in the Intermediate Slow Melody Final when the defending champion, Lode Violet of Brass Band Willebroek returned to take the title courtesy of a fine musical account of 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon' that swayed judges Phillip Bailey and Katrina Marzella.

Earlier in the day, 20 contenders set out in the hope of taking the title and with five going through to the final, it was the baritone duo of Michael Cavanagh (Marsden Silver) and Ben Stratford (Flowers) who finished second and third respectively.

Hageland's joy

Just three Junior Quartets battled it out for the 2010 title, with Brass Band Hageland's performance of 'Recreation' finding favour with Philip and Katrina. The talented Marie Smith guided Shirland into second with Milnrow Youth in third.

Local pride for James

The day did prove fruitful for the UK with a local winner too, as James Howard, the talented trombonist of Mossley Band giving a winning performance of Hogey Carmichel's 'Stardust' that belied his age.

Fellow trombonist, Gemma Riley of Wigan Youth was a deserved runner up with cornet player, Charlie Bijil of Malvern Cross in third.

Results:

Senior Solo Final:
Adjudicators: Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott

1. Harmen Vanhoorne (Brass Band Buizingen) — Bb Cornet
2. James McCabe (Rothwell Temperance) — Bb Cornet
3. Jef Vermeiren (Noord-Limburgse) — Bb Cornet

Finalists:
Bruce Myers (Australia) — Tenor Horn
Lewis Musson (Wingates) — Euphonium
Byron Newton (Pelorus Trust Wellington, NZ) — Euphonium
Daniel Powell (Kibworth) — Tenor Horn
Daniel Walton (Shirland Welfare) — Bb Cornet

Individual Instrumental Award:
Best Soprano/Cornet: Harmen Vanhoorne (Brass Band Buizingen)
Best Flugel/Eb Horn: Daniel Powell (Kibworth)
Best Baritone/Euphonium: Byron Newton (Pelorus Trust Wellington, NZ)
Best Trombone: Stephen Lomas (Desford Colliery)
Best Bass: Jonathon Truscott (Desford Colliery)

Intermediate Slowly Melody Final:
Adjudicators: Phillip Bailey and Katrina Marzella

1. Lode Violet (Brass Band Willebroek) — Bb Cornet
2. Michael Cavanagh (Marsden Silver Prize) — Baritone
3. Ben Stratford (Flowers) — Baritone

Finalists:
Lewis Bettles (Stannington) — Tenor Trombone
Amelia Young (Otterbourne Brass) — Flugel Horn
Nick Walker (Clifton and Lightcliffe) — Bb Cornet

Junior Slow Melody Final:
Adjudicators: Phillip Bailey and Katrina Marzella

1. James Howard (Mossley) — Trombone
2. Gemma Riley (Wigan Youth) — Trombone
3. Charlie Bijl (Malvern Chase) — Bb Cornet

Senior Quartet:
Adjudicators: Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott

1. Exit Brass
2. Thames Quartet
3. Cosy Brass

Junior Quartet:
Adjudicators: Phillip Bailey and Katrina Marzella

1. Brass Band Hageland
2. Shirland
3. Milnrow Youth