Jaren Hornmusikkforening enjoyed a "super inspiration" French connection as their claimed the Oslo Brass Festival title under conductor Florent Didier.

He found time in his busy schedule preparing Eikanger Bjorsvik for their forthcoming European Championship appearance in Malmo by linking up with the Elite Division ensemble based around 35 miles north west of Oslo.

Their programme of an own-choice test-piece, 'A Birth — Concerto No.15' by Swiss composer Ludovic Neurohr, followed 24 hours later by a concert set of 'Backlash' (Simon Dobson), 'I wish I knew how it would feel to be free' (arr. Jonathan Bates), 'The Piper o' Dundee', played by 'Best Soloist' award winner Ole Jorgen Lunde, and '3am Bounce' (arr. Dan Price) saw them complete a comprehensive victory.

Jaren also took home the 6,000 Krone first prize ahead of runner-up Olso Brass Band conducted by David Morton, with the final podium spot going to Rong Brass ahead of local favourites Oslofjord Brass.

Freaking awesome

Reflecting on their victory Florent Didier said that that he had, "enjoyed a great Spring weekend in Oslo", whilst the band posted on their Facebook page to say that it was "freaking awesome!"

They added: "Thank you to our conductor Florent Didier who has been a super inspiration and not least Ludovic Neurohr and his lovely composition."

The band also paid tribute to the contest organisers who they described as "awesome" in providing a competition that "always put the atmosphere on top".

The five judges were certainly in agreement about the quality of their performances, calling their account of 'A Birth' at the Kulturkirken Jakob on the Friday as "impressive", "fantastic", "excellent", "what a performance" and "fun to listen to".

The following day at the Sentrum Auditorium the judging quintet described their programme as "very impressive", "well thought out", "a very high musical standard", "incredibly good"and "all in all a pleasant experience".

Variety

Organised by the board of Oslofjord Brass Band, the contest was first held in 2016 and brings bands together from across Norway under the ethos of providing a welcoming and enjoyable concert experiences of both 'serious' music and more relaxed entertainment programming.

It has since attracted several generous sponsors, with live streaming of performances over two days from its two different venues enabling the contest to reach out to a worldwide audience.

There was a great deal of musical variety of show, with runner-up Oslo performing Philip Wilby's '…Dove Descending' alongside a Saturday set that contained the march 'Cornish Cavalier' to 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson.

Meanwhile, Rong performed two contrasting sets of music over the two evenings from Gounod to 'The Drifters', whilst Oslofjord played music from Debussy to Weather Report.

First Division:

David Morton and Brottum Brass continued their fine run of recent form by claiming the First Division title.

After coming third last year and runner-up at this year's Norwegian National Championships they secured a comprehensive victory over rivals Sandefjord Brass Symposium, Hasle Brass and Montebello Brass.

The band performed a Friday evening programme in tribute to the legendary brass band arranger Gordon Langford — with his 'Sullivan Fantasy' followed by 'The Lark in the Clear Air' played by Daniel Farestveit and 'The Lost Chord' which resonated throughout the church acoustic.

The following day they flipped genres completely with a tribute to the equally legendary Freddie Mercury, with a set that included 'Bring back that Leroy Brown', 'Love of my life' and the obligatory 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to close.

Fun celebrations

The band's fun celebrations also paid homage to Queen's iconic frontman, with some remarkable fancy dress creations (including obligatory moustaches) on show. In addition to the victory the band felt they had "won the party" too.

Norwegian Second Division National Champion Sandefjord Brass Symposium combined Widor and Bruckner with Gershwin and Skunk Funk in their sets, with their euphonium player Roger Naess taking the 'Best Soloist' award for his superb performance of 'Rule Britannia' .

There was also much to enjoy from Hasle with their double tribute to American film composer John Williams and the forever quirky Montebello with a twin 'Christmas Concert' with a difference.

Second Division:

There was a triptych battle for the title in the Second Division with a photo finish between Krapfoss Hornorkester (Espen Odegaard), Skui Brass Band (Rune Furoy Johansen) and Jolster Musikklag (Bjorn Breistein).

Krapfoss and Skui tied, with the destination of the 6,000 Krone first prize decided on the higher points award for the Saturday night performance. Jolster ended just two points behind.

It saw Krapfoss take the honours after they had performed 'Renaissance' by Peter Graham on the Friday followed by a set that told the story of players recalling the music from films that were in vogue in the peak years of their youth — from '2001: A Space Odyssey' to 'YMCA', 'The Godfather', 'Stayin' Alive' and 'September' by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Skui's programmes included music from Bach and Ballantine to Tomlinson and Tenfjord, whilst Jolster opted for sets that balanced 'A Prayer for Peace' with dance music, with a super 'Best Soloist' performance from Mari Therese Martinussen (euphonium) of 'Valflickans Dance'.

Third Division:

Saksumdal Musikkforening (Andres Halla) took the Third Division honours with sets that saw them feature music from Purcell and Wilfred Heaton on the Friday night with up tempo numbers the following evening including a fine soprano soloist in Andreas Aasen and the finale of 'Breezin' Down Broadway'.

Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen (Joakim Holm-Hansen) showcased music by Paul Lovatt-Cooper to William Gordon, whilst third placed Langhus Brass (Thomas Tengelsen) combined folk music inspirations balanced by a tribute to the rock group 'Queen'.

Birgit Lothe (cornet) of Fraena Brass Band claimed the 'Best Soloist' award for her fine rendition of 'Blamann, Blamann'.

Fantastic weekend

Speaking about the weekend, the contest organisers said: "Thank you for the wonderful musical moments and lovely atmosphere. Thanks also to our sponsors Millstein AS, Yamaha, Notebutikken, Viken Music, Eggge Music, Eva's Music, Music Environment, Kiwi and Oda, and to everyone who helped!"

Results:

Elite Division:

Adjudicators:
Friday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Mikkel Remme; Espen Selvik; David Strom; Ann Kriten Rifseim
Saturday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Pal Anders Wien; Espen Selvik; Ann Kristen Rifseim; Agnes Maria Fjermestad

1. Jaren Hornmusikkforening (Florent Didier): 91/90 = 181
2. Oslo Brass Band (David Morton): 85/86 = 171
3. Rong Brass (Erik Janssen): 80/75 = 155
4. Oslofjord Brass (Frode Amundsen): 74*/79 = 147

* 6-point time penalty

Best Soloist: Ole Jorgen Lunde (horn) — Jaren Hornmusikkforening

First Division:

Adjudicators:
Friday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Thomas Tengelsen; Pal Anders Wien; Mikkel Remme; Espen Selvik
Saturday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Espen Selvik; Kjell Torodd Berget; Daniel Haugen; Agnes Maria Fjermestad

1. Brottum Brass (David Morton): 97/94 = 191
2. Sandefjord Brass Symposium (Trond Husebo): 79/89 = 168
3. Hasle Brass (Robert Solberg Nilsen): 80*/76 = 153
4. Montebello Brass (Preben Nicolai Kragh-Riesling): 74**/ 71** = 127

* 3-point time penalty
** 9-point time penalty

Best Soloist: Roger Naess (euphonium) — Sandefjord Brass Symposium

Second Division:

Adjudicators:
Friday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Kjell Torodd Berget; David Strom; Heidi Berge Frogner; Tarjei Gilbrant
Saturday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Thomas Tengelsen; Renate Skoglund; Marianne Bjorklund; Heidi Berge Frogner

1. Krapfoss Hornorkester (Espen Odegaard): 76/81 = 157
2. Skui Brass Band (Rune Furoy Johansen): 79/78 = 157
3. Jolster Musikklag (Bjorn Breistein): 83/75* = 155
4. Tertnes Amatorkorps (Joseph Cook): 75/74 = 149
5. Gjovik By Brass (Morten Fagerjord): 70/71 = 141
6. Trondheim Brassband (Espen Andersen): 68/71 = 139
7. Valdres Brass (Rune F. Johansen): 59/60 = 119

* 3-point time penalty

Best Soloist: Mari Therese Martinussen (euphonium) — Jolster Musikklag

Third Division:

Adjudicators:
Friday: Torkild Furuseth; Simon-Emil B. Waage; Renate Skoglund; Lars Kvam Kristoffersen
Saturday: Simon-Emil B. Waage; Heidi Berge Frogner; Tarjei Gilbrant; Jason Janna; Ingebjorg Vilhelmse

1. Saksumdal Musikkforening (Andres Halla): 74/81 = 155
2. Filadelfia Hornorkester Drammen (Joakim Holm-Hansen): 66*/82 = 145
3. Langhus Brass (Thomas Tengelsen): 87/57 = 144
4. Fraena Brass Band (Randi Anita Dale): 72/64* = 133
5. Moen Musikkforening (Ole Kristian Egge): 64*/66 = 127
6. Fla Musikkorps (Steinar Morkved): 54/61 = 115
7. Bamble Brass (Kjell Arvid Polsrod): 57/58 = 115
8. Lismarka Mesnali Brass (N/K): 67/43 = 110
9. Eidsberg Brassband (Sverre Caspersen): 55/60** = 109
10. Holmestrand Brass (Torstein T. Holmas): 42/67 = 109
11. Sorkedalen Brass (Thomas Whittington Tengelsen): 37/34 = 71
12. Drammen Brassband (Oystein Olsen Vadsten): 34*/37 = 68
13. Ron Musikklag (Anette Oen): 26/25 = 51

* 3-point time penalty
** 6-point time penalty

Best Soloist: Birgit Lothe (cornet) — Fraena Brass Band