Ytrebygda Skolekorps conducted by Thor-Arne Pedersen maintained Norway's stranglehold on the Development Section title in outstanding fashion — the nation's fifth success since it was initiated in 2014.

And as a response to the news that their counterparts at defending champion Smoras Skolemusikk (who came third) were taking to the stage under the threat of their school closing due to budget cuts, it also provided a timely reminder of the priceless joy that comes from communal music making.

Hopefully the populist vote grabbing politicians and soulless accountants who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing, will have taken note.

Champions

Led by Thor-Arne Pedersen, Ytrebygda Skolekorps provided judges Arfon Owen and Corsin Turo with playing of exceptional maturity and understanding to secure the honours.

Established in 1961, and catering for players aged from 11 to 19, they are a band with an ethos of friendship, togetherness and communal accomplishment — elements shown in full in a programme had a deliberate Nordic feel based around Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's inventively constructed set-work, 'Four Brief Actions'.

Around 7 minutes long, it was a quartet of self-explanatory Nordic character traits; 'Chasing', a dislocated canonic development between sections with 'Running', a funky skip-paced swagger. 'Singing' offered a darkly tinted interlude that led into a dragon slaying ending with a twist — a song of triumph and loss.

Contrast came with the atmospheric 'Boatman's Ballad' led by a wonderful cornet soloist, Marie Norheim Lie, before Grieg's famous 'Morgenstemning' was the bucolic prelude to the bold pulsations of Frederick Schjelderup's 'Ex-Tension' to close. It was a showcase set of worthy title winning talents.

Lithuanian progress

On a weekend when there was ample evidence of the rapid development of the Lithuanan contesting ensembles, second place went to Brass Band Aukstyn conducted by Piet Visser.

Opening with 'Padzios Vaejas' and the set-work, they followed with the euphonium solo 'Proverbially' from Tom Davoren's 'Red Sky' Concerto, played in confident fashion by 'Best Soloist' winner, Jovita Kasperavicute.

Mark Taylor's Gospel Brass Machine' rounded off a programme of contrasting substance in fine style.

Elite inspiration

Although defending champion Smoras Skolemusikk couldn't quite make it a hat-trick of title wins, the sense of ambition in their attempt was shown with a set that originally used by Elite Division Krohnengen Band (written by MD Magnus Brandseth) at the Siddis Championships.

His atmospheric 'Deception Island' asked a great deal of his young players, but they responded with huge vigour and endeavour through 'Drake Passage', 'The Volcano's Heart' and the finale from 'Neptune's Bellows' as well as given a thoroughly engaging rendition of the set-work.

Let's hope we will see and hear much more from them in the years to come.

Bravura Wardle

So too Wardle Academy Youth Band, as the former four-time champion once again proudly represented England with verve and brio — from Tom Davoren's 'Living Power' all the way to the finisher of a nipped 'Kingdom Triumphant' by Eric Ball.

Led by Brad McCulloch they also gave a neatly characterised rendition of the set-work, whilst principal cornet, Oliver Tattersall was the bravura soloist on 'Napoli'.

German progress

Just behind came the Graman representatives of Youth Brass Band PotzBlech conducted by Hans Jacob.

They showcased the obvious progress made since their last performance at the event in 2023 with a confident set that in addition to the test-piece included the contrasting style of 'Osterfjorden' by Stijn Aertgeerts and 'Sunset Serenade' by Thomas Doss.

Iwan Fox

a band with an ethos of friendship, togetherness and communal accomplishment — elements shown in full in a programme had a deliberate Nordic feel4BR

Result:

Development Section:

Adjudicators: Arfon Owen; Corsin Tuor
Set Work: Four Brief Actions (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)

1. Ytrebygda Skolekorps (Thor-Arne Pedersen): 96
2. Brass Band Aukstyn (Remigijus Vilys and Piet Visser): 94
3. Smoras Skolemusikk (Magnus Brandseth): 93
4. Wardle Academy Youth Band (Bradley McCulloch): 91
5. Youth Brass Band PotzBlech (Hans Jacob): 89

Best Instrumentalist: Jovita Kasperavicute (euphonium) — Brass Band Aukstyn