One of the most relaxing brass band contests of the year took place in Denmark last weekend, when a record turnout of 15 lower section bands and ensembles took part in the 6th Aalbourg Festival.

Key

Enjoyment was the key word, with competitors providing entertainment sets ranging in length from around 15 to 25 minutes mixed in with various BBQ ensembles of different sizes and instrumentation who provided their own programmes for the adjudication team of Robert Childs, Huw Thomas, Stig Mærsk and Russell Gray.

On the Saturday evening a packed audience enjoyed a Gala Concert featuring the Danish National Youth Band with guest soloist Russell Gray, who entered into the relaxed musical mood with solos that ranged from Harry James and Ivor Bosanko to George Michael.

Refreshing

Dr Robert Childs, who also gave a well attended low brass masterclass on the Sunday morning to players from each of the competing bands, told 4BR that the inventive approach was refreshing change.

"It really was an enjoyable event. The standard of competition playing was very good, with the bands having to play Wilfred Heaton’s ‘Passing By’ as a form of set work.

The materclasses provided by the adjudication team were well attended by eager students too – and that was after a wonderful late night party that everyone enjoyed!"

Impressed

Huw Thomas was also impressed by the set up that encouraged an inclusive atmosphere of friendly competitiveness.

"It was great to be a part of such an inventive contest set up. We even had a superb singer as a featured soloist with the B Section winners who delivered a belting rendition of ‘Skyfall’ that Adele would have been proud of!"

He added: "Everyone wanted to enjoy themselves, but also learn something from the experience – with the masterclasses on the Sunday morning a real treat to be part of."

Copy

Russell Gray was also impressed by the enthusiasm. "My conducting masterclass was one of the best I’ve been part of – and summed up the whole event: There is a bit of blueprint here for others over the banding world to try and copy."

Father

There was also a lovely touch this year with a prize given by Scandinavian Brass and Woodwind in memory of the great ‘father of Danish brass banding’, Herbert Møller. The first winner was Gunnar La Cour.

Winners

The eventual Section A winners were Skanderborg Brass Band conducted by Gert Skovlod Hattesen, who opened with the march, ‘Knight Templar’, followed by ‘Strike up the Band’ and the set work ‘Passing By’.

They followed this with ‘The Children of Sanchez’ featuring best soloist winner, Svend Lykkegaard, before finishing with ‘La Danza’.
Organiser Henrik Juul-Pedersen, later told 4BR it was hoped that in the next few years the contest will develop to include the elite bands in Norway and from the rest of Scandinavia.

"We are very pleased with the contest this year, and it would be great if we can now increase the scope of the event to include the elite Danish bands and perhaps even some from other parts of Scandinavia and maybe even the UK."

it would be great if we can now increase the scope of the event to include the elite Danish bands and perhaps even some from other parts of Scandinavia and maybe even the UKorganisers

Results:

Section A:
1. Skanderborg Brass Band
2. Svogerslev Blæserne
3. Frederikshavn FDF Brass Band
4. Hjørring Brass Band
5. Peder Most Garden

Best Soloist: Flugelhorn (Skanderborg Brass Band)
Best March: Svogerslev Blæserne
Best Conductor: Henrik Juul-Pedersen (Hjørring Brass Band)

Section B:
1. Thy-Mors Hjemmeværsnorkester
2. Brovst Pigegarde
3. Aalborg Brass Band
4. Hjallerup FDF Brass Band
5. Hjemmeværnsdistrikt Nordjyllands Musikkorps

Best Soloist: Solo singer (Thy-Mors Hjemmeværsorkester)
Best March: Brovst Pigegarde
Best Conductor: Torben Kjær (Thy-Mors Hjemmeværsorkester)

Section C:
1. Frederikshavn Talentband
2. Løgstør Garden
3. Brovst Pigegardes Talentband
4. Tordenskiold Garden
5. Superblæserne — Brønderslev Musikskole

Best Potential: Superblæserne — Brønderslev Kulturskole
Best Soloist: Tordenskiold Garden
Best March: Brovst Pigegardes Talentband
Best Conductor: Marie Bak (Løgstør Garden)

Best New Composition Frederikshavn Talentband
Best Soloist under 21: Michael Rebild (Frederikshavn Talentband)
BBQ Ensembles: Concord Ensemblet
Herbert Møllers Prize: Gunnar La Cour