Fresh from the crowning place of Scottish kings in Perth, bands from Europe will head to the home of French Kings in Amboise, for a neat twist of regal contesting fate at the French Open over the weekend of the 6th — 8th June.
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The beautiful city of Amboise will host the 20th anniversary of an event that thanks to the inspired involvement and support of Jacques Gaudet and the Courtois instrument company has played a significant role in the development of French banding.
Over the years ensembles from Austria, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK have been inspirational to the small, but growing French banding community, culminating in Paris Brass Band becoming the first French winners of the contest in 2012 — and going onto show their impressive musical credentials at the European Championships in Scotland a few weeks ago.
Celebrations
This year, bands from France, England, Netherlands and Norway will be sharing in the celebrations for an event which has grown in importance and popularity.
Set works
Philip Wilby’s ‘Paganini Variations’ will test the Championships bands along with their own choice presentations, with works by Eric Ball, Goff Richards, Gareth Churcher and Darrol Barry testing the bands in the other sections.
The Gala Concert will feature previous hat-trick winners Rinjmond from Holland following the main contest that takes place in the excellent surroundings of the Beaumarchais Theatre.
French return
There should also be a great deal of interest with the welcome return of Brass Band Val de Loire in the top section.
Just over thirty years ago, Jean-Paul Leroy founded France’s first secular brass band in the Conservatoire in Orléans. Moving out of the Conservatoire to become Brass Band Val de Loire, the band took part in the very first French Open.
Such has been the consistency of its progress under Jean-Paul’s successor Jerome Genza, that it now returns to lock horns once again with European rivals.
Attractions
The Friday evening draw takes place in the chateau of Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years, whilst the highly popular March Contest and various outdoor concerts take place in front of the fabulous chateau throughout Saturday.
Saturday is the busiest day of the contest weekend, with all bands involved in three activities — the contest, in the Beaumarchais Theatre, which runs from 8.30 am to 6.00pm; the march contest from 10.00am to 12 noon, and outdoor concerts from 2.30pm to 7.00pm.
The adjudicators are David Horsfield, who helped to pioneer the contest with Jacques Gaudet, Philip Wilby, Paschal Eicher and Dennis Wilby, with the march competition judged by Chris Jeans.
Sunday treats
Amboise is always an impressive public relations exercise for bands, and outreach in the town continues throughout Sunday, with La Banda Jean and Fanfare Dei Bersaglieri di Magenta from Milan performing during the morning.
Massed French bands playing under the direction of Paris Brass Band’s Florent Didier continue the musical entertainment at 11.30am, and two newer French bands, Remiremont and Bourgeuil, playing from 3.00pm to 5.00pm, bring the Festival to a close in the Place Michel Debré.
The Friday evening draw takes place in the chateau of Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years4BR
Competing bands:
Championship Section:
Set Work: Paganini Variations (Philip Wilby)
Rijnmond (Erik Van de Kolk) — Netherlands
Val de Loire — Orléans (Jerome Genza) — France
Exo Brass – Tours (Dylan Corlay) — France
Krohnengen (Bjorn Breistein) — Norway
First Section:
Set Work: Sinfonietta:The Wayfarer (Eric Ball)
Lympstone (Charles Fleming) — England
Second Section:
Set Work: The Aeronauts (Goff Richards)
Lockwood (John Roberts) — England
Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage) — Netherlands
A Tout Vent – Lille region (William Houssoy) — France
Third Section:
Set Work: Episodes for Brass (Gareth Churcher)
Tours Conservatoire Youth (David Hubert) — France
City of Chester (Malcolm Peach) — England
Fourth Section:
Set Work: Pennine Moors (Darrol Barry)
Blackley (Daniel Price) — England
