Chicago Brass Band claimed its first ever US Open Championship title with victory at the Clarkston Performing Arts Centre in Michigan.

Led by conductor Mark A Taylor, their entertainment set entitled, 'A Brass Band Nightmare' secured a comprehensive victory that came with a host of awards for 'Most Entertaining Programme', 'Best March', 'Best Performance of a Solo' won by flugel star Beth Malovance, 'Best flugel horn and Horn Section', 'Best Euphonium and Baritone Section' and 'Best Percussion Section'.

Success

After coming third last year, they reflected on their success by stating: "Congratulations to all who performance today in competition. It was a wonderful celebration of brass band music and fun/unique programs!"

Victory saw them deny defending champion Five Lakes Silver a fourth consecutive success, with their set entitled 'The Great Adventure' based on their experiences of their recent tour to Europe where they competed at the Swiss Open. They had to be content on this occasion with awards for 'Best Bass Section', 'Best Cornet Section' and 'Best New Arrangement or Original Score'. Former champion Dublin Silver was third.

Challenge Section:

The Challenge Section also saw a first victory on their US Open contest debut for Imperial Brass led by Ronal Waiksnoris as they headed defending champion Motor City, with Motor City Academy in third.

Reflecting on their success, the band from New Jersey stated: "Congrats to all our players and supporters on winning the US Open in Clarkston. Special shout out to 'Outstanding Individual Performer' winner Mike Connor and 'Best Trombone Section' of Lee Anderson, Tom Mesevage, Vernon Post, Bobby Tiedemann."

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Stephen Bulla, James Gourlay, Jessica Sneeringer

1. Chicago Brass Band (Mark A Taylor): 361
2. Five Lakes Silver (Christopher Ward): 351
3. Dublin Silver (Tim Jameson): 345

Awards:

Most Entertaining Performance: Chicago Brass Band
Best Performance of a March: Chicago Brass Band
Best New Arrangement or Original Score: Josh Jameson, Dublin Silver Band

Outstanding Individual Performer: Megan Fritz (horn) — Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Soloist: Beth Malovance (flugel Horn) — Chicago Brass Band
Best Cornet Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Horn Section: Chicago Brass Band
Best Euphonium & Baritone Section: Chicago Brass Band
Best Bass Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Percussion Section: Chicago Brass Band

Buskers Award: Dublin Cornet Band

Challenge Section:

Adjudicators: Stephen Bulla, James Gourlay, Jessica Sneeringer

1. Imperial Brass Band (Ronald Waiksnoris)
2. Motor City
3. Motor City Academy
4. Old Crown

Awards:

Outstanding Individual Performer: Mike Connor (cornet) — Imperial Brass Band

Best Trombone Section: Imperial Brass