The 9th French National Brass Band Championship took place in Lyon on the weekend, where there were further signs that the brass band tradition continues to grow in popularity and improve rapidly in standard.

Title

The Championship Section title and the title of 2013 French Champion was won by Paris Brass Band conducted by Florent Didier, after they produced an outstanding account of Hermann Pallhuber’s ‘Spirit of Puccini’.

Brassage Brass Band claimed the Excellence (First Division) Category title with their fine performance of ‘An Epic Symphony’, whilst the Second Division title went to Brass Band du Rhone thanks to their performance of ‘Thyellene – The Battle on the Heath’ by Kevin Houben.

Arkansas

The Third Division championship was won by Brass Band de Champs sur Marne playing ‘Arkansas’ by Jacob de Haan, whilst Brassadventure took the Fourth Division title thanks to their performance of ‘Cityscapes’ by Jan de Haan.

Results:

Adjudicators:
Claude Kesmaecker (France) — President of the Jury
Jan Dde Haan (Netherlands)
Chris Wormald (England)

Championship Section:
Catégorie Honneur
1. Paris Brass Band – 93pts
2. Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais – 91pts

First Division:
Catégorie Excellence
1. Brassage Brass Band – 86.5pts

Second Division:
1. Brass Band du Rhône – 94.5pts

Third Division:
1. Brass Band de Champs sur Marne – 87.5pts
2. Brass Band Occitania – 86pts
3. Brass Band Accord – 84.5pts
4. Brass Band Loire Forez – 81.5pts

Fourth Division:
1. Brassaventure – 85pts