European Brass Band Championships 2003: Bergen, Norway

The Band travelled to Bergen, Norway on Friday 2^nd May to compete in the Section 1 of the European Brass Band Championships. This year, as last year, they took the runners-up position being beaten by Brottum Brass from Norway while Malmo Brass Band from Sweden was third. We won a Besson Sovereign Baritone worth €3,790 and a cheque for €1,000 and a beautiful Norwegian Crystal Glass plaque. The Band played Variations for Brass Band by R. Vaughan Williams and The Three Saints by Goff Richards.

This was a great achievement by the Band, who were conducted by John Bonner, and follows up on them being crowned National Brass Band Champions for the fourth consecutive year the previous weekend. All three Adjudicators Goff Richards, Jan Van der Roost and Torgny Hanson all had positive comments about the Band’s performance especially Goff Richards who said about the bands performance of the Three Saints “I’ve not been writing much because I’ve enjoyed much of what I’ve heard”. Perhaps the best and most unbiased comment can be found on the 4BarsRest Website, here is an extract: -

Second place went to Arklow Shipping Silver Band conducted by John Bonner who performed "Variations for Brass Band " by Vaughan Williams and "Three Saints" by Goff Richards. Both pieces suited the band who made a big rounded sound. The quieter moments in the Vaughan Williams accounted for most of the small blips and blobs, but it was still a performance of merit. The Goff Richards though suited them so much better and this contained their best playing by far. John Bonner directed the band with good sense, but we felt that needed a possible solo item to show off their talents better. Well done though and they are certainly getting closer to winning the title - this was the second year in a row that they have come runners up. They will be looking forward to Glasgow already.

The full results and commenst on the 1^st Section (and of course the Championship Section) can be found at:-

http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=983

A total of 37 band members and supporters undertook the trip to Bergen and while an expensive undertaking for the Band, who have never received any government recognition or grants for their national and international achievements, the members of the Band felt this was an honour not to be missed. Our very special thanks to the Norwegian Band Federation for a superbly run event. This has been the best run Europeans we have ever attended. We will have very special memories of our time in Bergen for many years to come.

The Band can now start making plans to travel to Glasgow next May for next years European Brass Band Championships (if invited to do so by the IABCB) where they hope to take that last step and win their section.