The Swedish National Championships were held last weekend at the iconic Arken Hall venue in Värnamo, where Windcorp Brass Band claimed the title for a sixth consecutive year.

Under the direction of Fairey MD, Garry Cutt, they produced two outstanding performances of the set work, ‘The Essence of Time’ by Peter Graham on the Friday, and their own choice selection of Eric Ball’s ‘A Kensington Concerto’ the following day, to secure their qualification place for the European Championship in Freiburg in 2015.

Personal favourites

Not only did Windcorp benefit from the experience and insight of their English MD in two works that he himself described as ‘personal favourites’, but also from Virtuosi GUS principal cornet James Fountain, who ‘depped’ on the end chair and claimed the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award.

Windcorp was pushed hard over the two days by runner-up Solna Brass under conductor Emil Björklund, who produced a fine rendition of John McCabe’s ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’, whilst Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår, directed by Jörgen Ådvall, also delivered a well structured rendition of ‘The Lord is King!’ by Ray Steadman-Allen.

Forward thinking

However, there was to be no denying Windcorp, as Garry Cutt returned to the band to direct title winning performances for the fourth time.

“Windcorp is a very forward thinking band,” he told 4BR. “It’s always good to work with them and with their founder, Andreas Kratz. He initially invited me to conduct at their Nationals in 2009 and we went on to win three titles together, so to return and win once more after a two year break was a great thrill.”

Garry added: “The preparation is somewhat different from the UK. I visit the band for two rehearsal weekends, and then only return on the Friday, the day of the contest. It’s not what I’m usually used to — but it seems to work well!”

Musical heart

Garry was also pleased that he was able to work on two pieces close to his musical heart.

“’Essence of Time’ and ‘A Kensington Concerto’ are two personal favourites, and although the band took a bit of persuading on Eric Ball’s under-rated work, I think by the end they grew to enjoy its beautiful lyrical music — helped of course by a mini masterclass lead from James on principal cornet.”

2015 will herald Windcorp’s 10th anniversary, with the band looking to invite past conductors and soloists to a special concert prior to the next National Championships.

First Division

In the First Division, Uffes Blås Brass Band led by Mattias Hjortlinger, pipped last year’s winner, Åsenhöga Missionskyrkas Brass Band to the title with some fine playing on the set test, ‘Dimensions’ by Peter Graham, and their own choice selection of ‘Princethorpe Variations’.

Åsenhöga ended just a single point behind despite some splendid euphonium playing from the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ winner, Johannes Forsberg.

Second Division

Gnosjö Brassband took the Second Division title under the baton of Jan Hultegård, whilst the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award went to another euphonium player, Hans Kothe of Bor Brassband.

Åsenhöga did not leave Arken empty handed however, as their youth band, Åsenhöga Youth Brass Band, won the Minibrass Division in a contest that featured no less than ten bands competing in front of a supportive audience.

Cory Gala

Saturday night’s Gala Concert, saw the Cory Band perform to a packed full house, performing the test piece ‘Vitae Aeterna Variations’ as well as giving the Swedes a sneak preview of their forthcoming Brass in Concert programme set and leading a massed band performance with over 200 young players.

Result:
Elite Section:
Test Piece: The Essence of time (Peter Graham)
Set Work/Own Chocie = Average total

Adjudicators: Fredrik Andersson, Philip Harper, Franz Matysiak, Karl Ole Midtbö

1. Windcorp Brass Band (Garry Cutt): 92/95 = 93.5
2. Solna Brass (Emil Björklund): 90/94 = 92
3. Betlehemskyrkans Musikkår (Jörgen Ådvall): 87/91 = 89

First Division:
Test Piece: Dimensions (Peter Graham)

1. Uffes Blås Brass Band (Mattias Hjortlinger) — 90
2. Åsenhöga Missionskyrkas Brass Band (Patrik Randefalk) — 89
3. Lunds Universitets Brass Band (Torgny Hansson) — 87
4. Malmö Brass Band (Jan Winborg) — 85
5. Smyrna Brass (Henrik Glänneskog/Anders Hellman) — 82
6. Ryttargårdskyrkans Brass Band (Daniel Bjurhamn) — 81
7. Torsby Brass (Berit Palmquist) — 80

Second Division:
Test Piece: Alloway Tales (Peter Graham)

1. Gnosjö Brass Band (Jan Hultegård)
2. Bors Brass Band (Ulrik Lundquist)
3. Värnamo Missionskyrkas Brass Band
4. VM-Brasset
5. Immanuel Brass, Stockholm (Joel Engström)
6. Axxon Brass Band (Andreas Lundin)

Mini Brass Division:
Test piece: Hollyhedge March (Stuart Johson)

1. Åsenhöga Youth Brass Band
2. Uffes Youth Brass Band
3. Göteborg Youth Brass Band