Brass Band Brass Band Schoonhoven conducted by Erik Janssen retained the Euro Brass title in Drachten on the weekend.

High class

Fresh from their third place finish at the recent European Championships, the Dutch champion delivered a series of high class performances over the two day event to claim the 1,000 Euro prize as well as book themselves a masterclass workshop with a Yamaha endorsee.

The championship battle saw the band secure a commanding victory over rivals De Bazuin Oenkerk, with De Waldsang in third.

Outstanding

On the Friday evening Schoonhoven gave outstanding performances of the set work ‘Lament’ from ‘Macbeth’ by Peter Meechan and ‘Vita Aeterna’ by Alexander Comitas, which the band performed in Rotterdam.

The following day they produced a 30 minute programme of control and musicality according to the judges to seal victory with a programme set that started with ‘Flashlight’ by Jan Van der Roost and was followed by John Rutter’s, ‘Gaelic Blessing’ and James Curnow’s ‘Song of Praise’.

Remarkable

The programme also included a remarkable show of virtuoso timpani playing from Niels Verbeek, who claimed the ‘Best Soloist’ prize for his rendition of the Oliverio ‘Timpani Concerto’.

Delighted

A delighted Band President Walter Lommerde told 4BR that the band now has its sights firmly set on the Dutch National Championships as they look to qualify for the Europeans in Oslo next year.

"That’s the next challenge," Walter said. "This was a very fine win for the band as we have worked even harder since our success at the European Championship in Rotterdam. We want to continue to build from what we showed there and be able to compete regularly against the very best bands in Europe."

He added: "The next step for us is now to prepare for our National Championships and to look to retain that title so that we can compete in Oslo next year."

B Section

In the B Section event there was victory for Brass Band Heman, as they continued the good form they showed in coming runner up at the B Section at the European Championship by claiming a clear cut victory under the baton of Anne van den Berg.

The band’s principal cornet player Linda Boiten won the ‘Best Soloist’ prize whilst the band claimed the title with quality performances of the meditative work, ‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’ and Philip Sparke’s arrangement of ‘David of the White Rock’.

Second place went to De Bazuin Oenkerk B, followed by the Norwegian challengers Brøttum Brass.

C Section

In the C Section, victory went to Backum Brass conducted by Erik van der Kolk, who recently led the European Youth Brass Band in Rotterdam. The band’s flugel player Clenn Keizer took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize.

Gloria Deï uit Gerkesklooster- Stroobos came second with Constantijn Huijgens in third.

The next step for us is now to prepare for our National Championships and to look to retain that title so that we can compete in Oslo next yearWalter Lommerde

Full results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators:
Friday: Rob Goorhuis & Phillip McCann
Saturday: Luuk Tuinstra & Steve Sykes

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven (94.5/96.0) = 190.5
2. De Bazuin Oenkerk (92.0/94.0) = 186.0
3. De Wâldsang Buitenpost (91.5/91.0) = 182.5
4. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (91.0/90.0) = 181.0
5. Amsterdam Brass (90.5/88.0) = 178.5

Best Programme: De Bazuin Oenkerk
Best Own Choice test piece: Brass Band Schoonhoven
Best Soloist: Niels Verbeek (Timpani) — Brass Band Schoonhoven

B Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Sykes & Phillip McCann

1. Brass Band Heman = 94.0
2. De Bazuin B = 92.0
3. Brøttum Brass = 91.0
4. Pro Rege = 89.0
5. Spijkerpakkenband = 88.0
6. De Lofklank = 87.0
7. Oefening en Uitspanning = 85.0

Best Set Piece: Brass Band Heman
Best Soloist: Brass Band Heman

C Section:
Adjudicators: Rob Goorhuis & Steve Sykes

1. Backum Brass = 94.0
2. Gloria Deï = 92.0
3. Constantijn Huygens = 90.0
4. Euphonia = 88.0
5. De Nije Bazún = 86.0
6. Immanuël = 84.0

Best Set Piece: Gloria Deï
Best Soloist: Backum Brass