Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag has won the 2011 Norwegian Brass Band Championships for a record 12th time, and in doing so booked their place as Norwegian representatives at the 2012 European Championships in Rotterdam.
Narrow margin
Conducted by Professor David King they took the Kr50,000 first prize, by a narrow single point margin over reigning champion Manger Musikklag, with Stavanger in third.
Speaking to 4BR after the announcement of the results, he was magnanimous in victory — paying tribute not just to his band, but also the rivals that he beat.
Tribue
"It's a great victory — especially at my favourite European banding venue," he said. "I have the greatest repect for the players of Eikanger and they showed just what a great band they were this weekend.
"Norwegian banding is so strong. Manger were outstanding and I am sure will be a force at the Europeans and Stavanager under Allan Withington's great leadership were also superb."
I have the greatest repect for the players of Eikanger and they showed just what a great band they were this weekendDavid King
Seventh win
It was the Australian’s seventh victory at the contest – a record in itself — as he completed his personal hat trick of wins with the ‘Big Three’ of Norwegian banding – following success with Manger and Stavanger since 1994.
Eikanger had to work hard for their victory – ending the first day in second place, two points behind set work winners Stavanger.
Definitive
However, with their own choice selection of ‘Spiriti’ they delivered a scorching performance to make up the deficit and crucially put themselves a point ahead of Manger.
One of the official adjudications seen 4BR read: "'Spiriti' was given the absolute definitive performance..I sat back amazed at what I heard..."
Manger will be disappointed at not retaining their title, as their performances over the two days showed just what a force they will be at Montreux in a couple of months, whilst there will be celebration for Stavanger as they confirmed their return to form by claiming the last podium place.
Consolation
There was some consolation for Manger as their remarkable bass trombone player Camilla Soderstrom Tveit took the prestigious ‘Best Soloist’ Award for a second time for amazing contribution to Manger’s own choice selection of ‘Old Licks Bluesed Up’.
With the top three bands some way ahead of the rest of the field, there was a hard fought battle for fourth place, which was finally claimed by Krohnengen, with Ila in fifth and Molde in sixth
Overcame two point margin
A closer look at the results showed that at the end of the first day, Stavanger led by two points from Eikanger with Manger a point further back.
However, things changed on the own choice selections with Eikanger storming to victory and in the process pipping Manger on the day with Krohengen taking third place.
Final performance
Overall that meant victory to Eikanger to round off a remarkable contest, which saw the band’s equally remarkable soprano player Frode Rydland mark his 25th and final Norwegian Nationals appearance with the band with yet another victory, whilst the band’s awesome tuba quartet picked up the ‘Best Section award’.
Cutt win in First
There was a first victory for Garry Cutt in the First Division, where he led Jaren Hornmusikkforening to victory with their lyrical performance of ‘On Alderney Edge’ ahead of Kleppe with Tertnes in third.
No doubt in Second
There was no doubting the destination of the top prize in the Second Division, which turned out to be a battle of Brits as Bjorsvik Brass directed by Russell Gary took the honours with a quite outstanding performance of ‘The Essence of Time’ – their third consecutive National title as the former players of the Eikanger Band storm their way up the Divisions here.
Radoy Brass conducted by Gareth Pritchard was second with Brottum Brass directed by Michael Antrobus was third.
Right for Rong and Bergen
The Third Division title saw things go right for Rong, as the virtuoso tuba star Eirik Gjerdevik led them to the title ahead of Hale Brass and Grenland, whilst in the mammoth Fourth Division victory was claimed by the local Bergen Brass conducted by Sturle Berntsen with Randeberg and Gjovik Bybrass claiming the podium places.
Results
Elite Section:
Adjudicators: (Set Work): Cathrine Winnes Trevino, Ian Porthouse, Karl Ole Midtbø
Adjudicators: (Own Choice): Maurice Hamers, Peter Bassano, Armin Bachmann
1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Professor David King), 95/98 = 96.5
2. Manger Musikklag (Peter Sebastian Szilvay), 94/97 = 95.5
3. Stavanger Brass Band (Allan Withington), 97/93 = 95
4. Krohnengen Brass Band (Gary B. Peterson), 91/95 = 93
5. Ila Brass Band (Thomas Rimul), 92/92 = 92
6. Molde Brass Band (Russell Gray), 88/94 = 91
7. Sola Brass Band (Benjamin Wiame), 90/89 = 89.5
8. Oslo Brass Band (Frode Amundsen), 87/91 = 89
9. Sandefjord Brass Symposium (David Roberts), 89/88 = 88.5
10. Oslofjord Brass (Simon Dobson), 84/90 = 87
Soloist Prize: Camilla Soderstrom Tveit (Bass Trombone) — Manger Musikklag
Best Section: Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag
First Division:
Adjudicator: Peter Bassano & Bjørn Sagstad
1. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Garry Cutt) — 96
2. Kleppe Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal) — 94
3. Tertnes Brass (Yngve Nikolaisen) – 92
4. Jølster Musikklag (Arvid Anthun) — 90
5= Oster Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) – 89
5= Ørskog Brass (Alan Morrison) — 89
7. Laksevåg Musikkforening (Philip Hannevik) — 87
8. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Espen Wstbye) — 86
9. Sørum Musikklag (Christian Tenfjord) — 85
10. Tomra Brass Band (Nick Ost) — 84
11. Alexander Brass Band (Morten E Hansen) — 83
12. Tertnes Amatørkorps (Tormod Flaten) — 82
Soloist Prize: Solo Trombone — Tertnes Brass
Best Section: Tuba Section — Jaren Hornmusikkforening
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Armin Bachmann & Bjørn Sagstad
1. Bjørsvik Brass (Russell Gray) – 98
2. Radøy Brass (Gareth Pritchard) — 96
3. Brøttum Brass (Michael Antrobus) — 93
4. Borge Brass Band Oddvar Nostdal) – 92
5. Lindås Brass (Helge Haukas) – 91
6. Askøy Brass Band (Reid Gilje) – 90
7. Tromsø Brass (Tor Kristian Innbor) — 89
8= Manger Old Star Brass (Johannes Mangersnes) – 88
8= Sagvåg Musikklag (Marieka Gray) — 88
10. Haukås Musikklag (Thor-Arne Pedersen) — 87
11. Flesland Musikklag (Patrick Randefalk) — 86
12. Hornorkesteret Stavanger (Mats Urdal Aasen) — 85
13. Stangaland Brass (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen) — 84
Soloist Prize: Solo trombone — Radøy Brass
Best Section: Tuba section — Bjørsvik Brass
Third Division :
Adjudicators: Peter Bassano & Harald Eikaas
1. Rong Brass (Eirik Gjerdevik) — 97
2. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) — 96
3. Grenland Brass (Christopher Roedvang) — 95
4. Fjell Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) — 94
5. Gjesdal Brass Band (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) — 93
6. Follesø Musikklag (Egil Magnussen) — 92
7= Flå Musikkorps (Odd Steiner Morkved) — 90
7= Torskangerpoll Musikklag (Eirik Gjerdevik) — 90
9= Nes Musikkforening (Andres Halla) — 89
9= Trondheim Politi's Brass Band (Peter Hatfield) — 89
11= Agder Brass (David Tellefsen) — 88
11= Skui Brass Band (Henrik Dagestad-Dalhaug) — 88
13= Flora-Bremanger Brass Band (Johnny Saelemyr) — 87
13= Frei Hornmusikk (Kim Lofthouse) — 87
13= Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) — 87
Soloist Prize: Solo cornet — Grenland Brass
Best Section: Horns — Rong Brass
Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Karl Ole Midtbø & Cathrine Winnes Trevino
1. Bergen Brass Band (Sturle Berntsen) — 96
2. Randaberg Musikkorps (Tarjei Gilbrant) — 95.5
3. Gjøvik Bybrass (Torbjorn Lunde) — 94
4. Fræna Musikkorps (Jens Kritian Mordal) — 93.5
5. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Geir Karlson) — 93
6. Langhus Brass (Idar Torskangerpoll) – 92.5
7. Fagernes Musikkorps (Jon Henning Lien) — 91
8. Harøy Musikklag (Frank Harneshaug) – 90.5
9. Rosendal Musikklag (Tortein Hatlevik) — 90
10= Lyshornet Brass (Trond Madsen) — 89
10= Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) — 89
10= Moen Musikkforening (Thomas Petersen) — 89
13. Salhus Musikklag (Knut Emil Mjos) — 88.5
14. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Per Olav Paulsen) – 87.5
15. IMI Brass (Per Erik Petersen) — 86
16. Lismarka/Mesnali Brass (Morten Fagerjord) – 85.5
17. Hordvik Musikklag (Knur Emil Mjos) — 85
18. Florø Hornmusikk (Jason Burn) — 84.5
19. Hetlevik Musikklag (Einar Gjelsvik) — 84
20. Rudsbygd Brass (Per Kristian O Syversen) — 83
21. Brumunddal Brass (Morten Sanner) — 82
22= Fjordbrass Lavik (Jason Burn) — 81
22= Lalm Musikkforening (Erik Wang) — 81
Soloist Prize: Solo cornet — Randaberg Musikkorps
Best Section: Cornets — Fræna Musikkorps
