Surventobrass, a Dutch version of the Brass in Concert Championship, recently took place in Surhuisterveen — the country's spiritual brass band home since the early 1970s.

It was the seventh time the contest has been held, and was broadcast on a regional television channel.

Two sections

The contest is split into two sections — the A Group catering for the Championship and First Section level, and the B Group for the Second and Third Sections, with a prescribed points system based on positions to decide each winner.

There was certainly something of a shock in the A Group contest with the Dutch National First Section champion First Section Spijkerpakkenband under conductor Erik Janssen comprehensively triumphing over their Championship level rivals De Waldsang Buitenpost led by Rieks van der Velde.

Heavenly Blue

Their 'Heavenly Blue' themed programme cleverly played on the English translation of their name (meaning Blue Jeans Band) and opened with the exciting finale from 'Faust', followed by 'A Little Prayer', 'A Breathless Alleluia', 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams and their own closing item of 'Turris Fortissima'.

There was certainly plenty of innovative thought that had gone into their programme with the beautiful Evelyn Glennie composition featuring marimba soloists against a backdrop of personal thoughts and prayers emerging in writing on the multi-media screen behind them.

In addition, the band also utilised the singing talents of the MD's daughter Meiqi (above) in pop star Bryan Adams 1985 hit.

Standing ovation

The set not only gained a standing ovation from the audience but also gained maximum points from the judges, with adjudicator Jacob de Haan stating that it had been a 'wonderful, well prepared programme'.

Amazing

A Spijkerpakkenband spokesperson told 4BR: "It was an amazing achievement for us — especially to be placed first against such a fine band as De Waldsang.

We have worked very hard for this and now want to be able to build on this result as we look forward to the Dutch National Championship later this year."

In the B Group there was a victory for De Lofklank Ureterp conducted by Jaap Musschenga.

It was an amazing achievement for us — especially to be placed first against such a fine band as De WaldsangSpijkerpakkenband spokesperson

Results:

Adjudicators: Jacob de Haan (Music); Gerard van der Kolk (Progamme); Anke Bijlsma (Presentation & Entertainment)

Group A:

1. Spijkerpakkenband (Erik Janssen): 100/50/50 = 200
2. De Waldsang Buitenpost (Rieks van der Velde): 97/48/48 = 193

Solo Prize: De Waldsang Buitenpost

Group B:

1. De Lofklank Ureterp (Jaap Musschenga): 97/50/48 = 195
2. SDG Blija: 100/46/46 = 192
3. Backum Brass Castricum: 91/48/50 = 189
4. Excelsior Veenwoudsterwal: 94/44/44 = 182

Solo Prize: SDG Blija