The 13th annual Ohio Brass Arts Festival hosted by the Central Ohio Brass took place at Gahanna Creekside in Ohio recently.

Seven bands performed programmes throughout the day with four competing in the 8th annual OBAF Cup Competition where they had to showcase a march and slow melody to impress adjudicator Dr. Brittany Lasch, Assistant Professor of Trombone at Bowling Green State University.

Music making

The afternoon opened with the Chapel at Worthington Band under the direction of Eric Snowden, followed by Dublin Youth Brass Band, who had just enjoyed a week-long brass band camp.

Led by Diana Herak, who conducted the march 'Cornish Cavalier' and Robert Munson, who conducted 'My Love is like a Red, Red Rose', they also featured 15-year euphonium soloist Alex Belhorn on 'Summer Isles' as well as a newly commissioned work, 'Seismatic', by former band member Jason Nippert.

Oakland University Brass Band led by Dr. Kenneth Kroesche performed a wide variety of brass band originals as well as arrangements. Their march, 'Castell Caerffili' was strong enough to gain second place, while their slow melody, 'Reflections in Nature' was third to come third overall on what was a highly encouraging debut.

Change of pace

There was a distinct change of pace with the NACHO Street Band. Based out of the Nationwide Children's Hospital, the band performs to raise funds for charity, with their New Orleans brass band (saxophones included) approach pepping up the appreciative audience.

Dublin Silver Band then took the stage to claim the OBAF Cu; topping both the 'Best March' with a rousing 'Padstow Lifeboat' and 'Slow Melody' categories with 'Irish Tune from County Derry'.

They also featured the outstanding Grant Jameson on euphonium, Dave Mazon on cornet and Patrick Herak on Eb tuba, as well as their award winning trombone section.

Scioto Valley Brass & Percussion Company provided another break from the contest repertoire with a concert that saluted award winners Espy, Tony, CMA, Oscars, and Grammy Awards.

Dublin Silver Band then took the stage, and the OBAF Cup, topping both the 'Best March' with a rousing 'Padstow Lifeboat' and 'Slow Melody' categories with 'Irish Tune from County Derry'4BR

Virtuosity

The hosts, Central Ohio Brass Band, closed out the festival. Their slow melody, ' As Summer was just Beginning' ended second, while their march 'Eagle Squadron' finished just behind Oakland University. Towards the end of the programme, adjudicator and guest soloist, Dr. Brittnay Lasch gave a wonderful display of virtuosity as she wowed the audience.

The Ohio Brass Arts Festival will return to Gahanna Creekside next June.

Result:

March + Slow Melody = Total

1. Dublin Silver Band (Tim Jameson): 1+1 = 2
2. Central Ohio Brass Band (Jessica Sneeringer): 3+2 = 5*
3. Oakland University Brass Band (Dr. Kenneth Kroesche): 2+3 = 5*
4. Dublin Youth Brass Band (Diana Herak/ Robert Munson): 4+4 = 8

*Overall adjudicator mark takes precedent