Stavanger continued to impose its musical authority on domestic Norwegian banding after claiming the Siddis title for a record fourth consecutive time on the home-soil stage surrounding of the impressive Stavanger Konserthus.

Ninth victory

It's was reigning National champion's ninth victory at the premier entertainment championship as the artistic partnership of MD Allan Withington and composer Simon Dobson once again broke musical boundaries with their programme entitled, 'Just a German Girl' (The Life of Marlene Dietrich).

It enabled Stavanger to repel the formidable challenge of Manger Musikklag under Rune Hannisdal, with Eikanger Bjorsvik directed by Reid Gilje in third. The band also claimed the 18,000 Krone first prize and with it, an invitation to compete at the 40th anniversary Brass in Concert Championship in Gateshead next year.

To round off a memorable victory, principal cornet Torill Tynning took the 'Best Soloist' award with the band also claiming the separate entertainment prize.

Iconic actress

Inspired by the life of the iconic actress, 'Just a German Girl' was an engrossing, and at times quite startling musical portrait of a woman who herself broke numerous artistic and cultural boundaries.

"It's a remarkable achievement,"Allan Withington told 4BR as he joined his artistic collaborator in lifting the Siddis trophy. "Simon is a wonderful composer who is able to bring our ambitious ideas to life. This was perhaps our most challenging project — but the way in which he was able to mould the diverse elements of an amazing life story was simply brilliant."

"I can't think of another conductor or band that can bring these projects to fruition,"Simon replied.

"They are brilliant players with such open minds and Allan is simply an inspiration to work with. The life of Marlene Dietrich was hugely complex — but the word iconic fits it perfectly. To interpret just a small part of her remarkable story was a musical privilege."

Six linked sections

The six linked sections covered different eras — from her childhood ('The Clockmaker's Daughter) and dissolute days of the Weimer Republic to her famous androgynous film appearances ('Berlin Nights') and the major cultural and political changes that eventually forced her to flee Germany for America ('The Vaudevillian Death' and 'The Rise of the Right').

The latter element included a chilling broadcast of the voice of Adolf Hitler — something that sent a chill of apprehension and genuine unease through a startled hall — although in context the inclusion was fully justified.

The work ended with an exploration of her isolated later life — from a cameo performance with an artist who in many ways she heralded in David Bowie ('Just a Gigolo') to her final desperate attempts to influence the demise of the Cold War with its Berlin symbol of repression between east and west ('The Fall of the Wall').

Strong rivals

Stavanger certainly had to put on a complete 'show' — with flapper dancer and images of the actress displayed on stage as Manger in particular produced a superb display of multi-genre technique in their eclectic set.

There was also a standing ovation for Eikanger, who had to wait to play as the 1700 seat concert hall was packed with expectant listeners — although their Mozart inspired set (complete with a bewigged composer at his writing desk) just ran out of thematic steam by its close.

In a contest that was a curious mix of the inspired as well as the prosaic, it was a fizz bomb funk set from Jaren Hornmusikkforening that took fourth, ahead of Kleppe's crepuscular journey into the depths of the underworld and Oslofjord's less 'x-rated' trip to the Hollywood cinema.

Adjudicator, Paul Holland (who was joined by Hakon Vestly) later told 4BR. "It was the conception, the quality of the music and its execution with Stavanger that so impressed.

There was brilliance in all top three bands — but also moments of unease. We enjoyed all the performances, but Stavanger stood out for us on what was a technically demanding and artistically challenging programme."

First Division: Gjallarhorn make the papers with super win

There was also varied fayre on offer in the First Division, with reigning Second Division National Champion Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn making it a 2015 'double' by taking the 10,000 Krone first prize under former Stavanger soprano star Espen Westbye.

Theirs was an outstanding performance, with a sublime 'Best Soloist' feature from tuned percussionist Erland Skogland on the MD's 'Is it Possible to Draw the Future' allied to a brace of works ('Crystal' and 'Lock Horns, Rage On') from adjudicator Simon Dobson (who was joined by Russell Gray).

They also featured a delicate 'Adagio' from Saint-Saens and a closing touch of cool Pat Metheny 'Minuano' jazz alongside a wonderful cornet quintet, 'Tanta til Beate' that saw their young percussionist accompany using brushes on the daily Stavanger newspaper!

It proved good enough to claim the title for the first time since 1991 by a single point from Askoy's confident 'Music to Moves' set, with a vibrant Sola Brass in third.

Second Division: Haukas Musikklag travel to victory

There was plenty of entertainment for judges Philip Harper and Stian Svendsen to enjoy in the Second Division, with former Black Dyke tuba star Joseph Cook leading Haukas Musikklag to their first Siddis title.

Joseph managed to juggle his playing commitments with Manger Musikklag as he lead the band to a clear two point victory over Rong Brass, with Gjesdal Brass in third. In a contest that featured a number of high class soloists, it was Nick Hughes of Sagvag Musiiklag who took the award with his lovely rendition of 'O Store Gud'.

Although their programme was entitled, 'Ut av Norge' (Out of Norway) there was also a touch of 'Out of Queensbury' too as Haukas opened with 'Horizons' by Dyke percussion star Paul Lovatt-Cooper before Oscar Gustavson delivered a fine rendition of 'Stardust' on trombone. 'Hogarth's Hoe-down' and Dan Price's 'Sunrise over Blue Ridge' led into the up-beat finale of 'Sing, Sing, Sing'.

Cory MD, Philip Harper later told 4BR that he was impressed by what he had heard from the 16 competitors, and the winners in particular.

"Time flew thanks to well chosen programmes and good ensemble and solo playing. The top three were very good, but Haukas impressed with their overall quality, balance and execution in a well conceived and delivered set."

Third Division: Tysnes come out on top

A performance described as 'quality all round' saw Tysnes Musikklag claim their third, Division Three title under MD, Yngve Nikolaisen — and all off the number 1 draw.

Opening with 'Fanfare on a Swedish Tune' their 'Nordic Travel' theme included soloist Camilla Sjovold on 'I skovens dype' before heading in different genre directions with 'Pseudoyoik', ''Heyr, himma smidur' and closing with 'Norwegian Dance' by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.

"It was quality all round and set an impressive standard from the word go,"adjudicator Paul Lovatt-Cooper (joined by Eirik Gjerdevik) told 4BR. "There was plenty of fine playing that followed, but none could quite top their well chosen programme, excellently played."

Second place went to Skui Brass's cleverly conceived 'Dancing' set, with Hordvik Musikklag's neatly linked 'Good Mix' themed programme in third. The 'Best Soloist' prize went to trombonist Alf Eirik Fylkesnes for his exceptional all-round playing with Randaberg Musikkorps.

Fourth Division: Nordlys XO excel

14 bands battled in a keenly contested Fourth Division, with Nordlys XO, conducted by Reid Gilje eventually pipping rivals Sotra Brass under Oddvar Nostdal. Third place went to Skeie Brass conducted by Nigel Fielding.

The top pair were in a clear-cut battle for the 7,000 krone first prize, with Nordlys XO utilising the renowned arrangement skills of their MD in their winning programme.

They opened with 'Farvel til en slavik kvinne' before euphonium soloist Marianne Torsvik gave a fine rendition of 'Estrellita'. 'Theme from 'New York, New York' was followed by Chick Correa's 'Spain' and a sparkling Dirty Dozen Brass Band 'Blackbird Special'.

"There was so much to enjoy in all the performances,"adjudicator Mareika Gray (joined by Morten Fagerjord) told 4BR. "Each band showcased their talents and some of the solo playing was stunning. The top two did stand out, but overall there was plenty to sit back and savour."

Bass trombone player Tarjei Hummelsund took the 'Best Soloist' prize for his superb playing on 'Moonglow' with Skeie Brass.

After contest party

Although the impressive Stavanger Konserthus auditorium was certainly not packed to its 1700 seat capacity throughout the day for the Elite and First Division events, there was still a great atmosphere to savour in both contest venues (the other sections took place at the adjoining Kuppelhallen)

The event was rounded off with a highly enjoyable Gala Concert featuring Stavanger Band alongside the talents of Yamaha artists Russell Gray and Eirik Gjerdevik, which proved to be the ideal prelude to the fun and games of the late night 'Brass Party' that saw rivalries put to one side led by the overjoyed players of a triumphant home town band.

The life of Marlene Dietrich was hugely complex — but the word iconic fits it perfectly. To interpret just a small part of her remarkable story was a musical privilegeComposer, Simon Dobson

Results:

Elite Division:
Adjudicators: Paul Holland & Hakon Vestly

1. Stavanger (Allan Withington) — 98
2. Manger Musikklag (Rune Hannisdal) — 96
3. Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje) — 95
4. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Tarjei Grimsby) — 92*
5. Kleppe Musikklag (Vidar Nordli) — 92
6. Oslofjord Brass (Trond Husebo) — 90
7. Bjorsvik Brass (Bjorn Sagstad) — 89
8. Krohnengen (Bjorn Breistein) — 88
9. Oslo Brass Band (Trond Myhre) — 87

* incurred 1 time point penalty

Entertainment Prize: Stavanger
Best Soloist: Torill Tynning (cornet) — Stavanger

First Division:
Adjudicators: Russell Gray & Simon Dobson

Entertainment + Performance = Total

1. Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Espen Westbye) 9/96 =105
2. Askoy Brass (Svein Henrik Giske) 9/95 =104
3. Sola Brass (Rune Gundersen) 8/94 =102
4. Montebello Brass (Preben N. K. Riesling) 7/92 = 99
5. Radoy Brass (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen) 7/91 = 98
6. Oster Brass (Bengt Florvag) 6/90 = 96
7. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen) 6/89 = 95
8. Alexander Brass (Morten E. Hansen) 7/88 = 95
9. Brottum Brass (Christian Tenfjord) 6/87 = 93

Best Soloist: Erland Skogland (Tuned percussion) — Musikkorpset Gjallahorn

Second Division
Adjudicators: Philip Harper & Stian Svendsen

1. Haukas Musikklag (Joseph Cook) 9/94 = 103
2. Rong Brass (Thor-Arne Pedersen) 8/93 = 101
3. Gjesdal Brass (Jonas Skartveit Rogne) 8/92 = 100
4. Tertnes Amatorkorps (Bengt Florvag) 7/92 = 99
5. Agder Brass (Ola Balstad) 8/90 = 98
6. Tromso Brass (Tor Kristian Ravnanger Innbjor) 9/88 = 97
7. Flesland Muskklag (Thor-Arne Pedersen) 6/90 = 96
8. Sagvag Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) 6/88 = 94
9. Fjell Brass (Egil Magnussen) 7/86 =93
10. Tysvaer Brass (Martin Kinn) 7/85 = 92
11. Manger Old Star Brass(Marit Tommermo) 8/83 = 91
12. Stangaland Brass (Kristian Thulin) 5/83 = 88
13. Folleso Musikklag (Bjorn Breistein) 6/81 = 87
14. Gjovik Bybrass (Christian Tenfjord) 6/80 ='86
15. Laksevag Musikkforening (Helge Haukas) 6/79 = 85
16. IMI Brass (Per-Erik Petersen) 4/78 = 82

Best Soloist: Nick Hughes (cornet) — Sagvag Musikklag

Third Division:
Adjudicators: Paul Lovatt-Cooper & Eirik Gjerdevik

1. Tysnes Musikklag (Yngve Nikolaisen) 8/94 = 102
2. Skui Brass (Thor-Willy Karlsen) 8/93 = 101
3. Hordvik Muskklag (Patrik Randefalk) 8/92 = 100
4. Valdres Brass (John Phillip Hannevik) 8/91 = 99
5. Rosendal Musikklag (Paul Hughes) 8/90 = 98
6. Randaberg Musikkorps (Pal Magne Austnes Underhaug) 7/89 = 96
7. Salhaus Musikklag (Sindre Dalhaug) 8/88 = 96
8. Stavanger Kommunes Korps (Morten Ovrebekk) 7/88 = 95
9= Torungen Brass Ensemble (Lars-Bjornar Stregenes) 7/87 = 94
9= Seim Musikklag (Asbjorn Hauge) 7/87 = 94
11= Eidesberg Brass (Hans Petter Ringstad) 7/86 = 93
11= Langhus Brass (Tomas Carstensen) 7/86 = 93
11= Lindas Brass (Hilde Margrethe Brevik Grytten) 7/ 86 = 93

Best Soloist: Alf Erik Fylkesnes (trombone) — Randaberg Musikkorps

Fourth Division:
Adjudicators: Mareika Gray & Morten Fagerjord

1. Nordlys XO (Reid Gilje) 10/95 = 105
2. Sotra Brass (Oddvar Nostdal) 10/94 = 104
3. Skeie Brass (Nigel Fielding) 9/90 = 99
4. Riska Brass (Espen Westbye) 9/87 = 96
5. Eikelandsfjorden Musikklag (Aidan Smith) 8/87 = 95
6. Hinna Brass (Else Irene Kjellevold) 9/86 = 95
7. Spydeberg Brass (Jan Einar Halvorsrod) 9/85 = 94
8. Jorpeland Musikkorps (Paul Farr) 7/85 = 92
9. Lyshornet Brass (Oyvind Nikolaisen) 8/83 = 91
10. Fjordbrass Lavik (Jason Burn) 7/83 = 90
11. Musikkorpset Heimdal (Linda Mattson) 6/82 = 88
12. Hetlevik Musikklag (Asbjon Hauge) 6/81 = 87
13. Noheimsund Musikklag (Patrik Randefalk) 8/79 = 87
14. Karmsund Brass (Steinar Andsnes) 9/78 = 87

Best Soloist: Tarjei Hummelsund (bass trombone) — Skeie Brass