Brass in Concert 2017 

Following a superb gala concert and several other incredible 'fringe' performances and workshops over the BIC weekend, the jewel in the crown 'entertainment contest' was won by a significant margin by Eikanger-Bjørsvik. The Norwegian band have ended an already very successful year in style, by adding a fourth prestigious title to their winning portfolio.  

Second place was awarded to Fountain City from the USA, with Foden's, as the highest placed band from the UK, claiming third prize. Cory were unable to defend their title coming in fourth, despite playing that was judged to be on a par with the winners, with their fellow Welsh compatriots awarded fifth place. The frame was completed by the French Paris Band in sixth place. The remaining six bands certainly had nothing to be ashamed of as they made up the other placings in what was one of Brass in Concert's strongest ever line ups of quality band performances.  

Congratulations to the winners, Eikanger-Bjørsvik with their Musical Director Reid Gilje and well done to the Brass in Concert organisers, who continue to provide a platform for the best of brass entertainment.  

Results: 
Adjudicators: 
Jan Van der Roost & Lito Fontana (Music: Quality of Performance) 
Nick Grace (Programme Content) 
Richard Evans & Peter Francomb (Entertainment & Presentation) 
Ian Bousfield (Soloist & Individual Awards) 
Music/Music/Content/Entertainment = Total 
Van der Roost/Fontana/Grace/Evans/Francomb= Total 
1. Eikanger-Bjørsvik (Reid Gilje): (1) 60 / (2) 57 / (2) 38 / (3) 18 / (5) 16: 189pts 
2. Fountain City (Joseph Parisi): (5) 48 / (4) 51 / (1) 40 / (1) 20 / (1) 20: 179pts 
3. Foden's (Dr Robert Childs): (4) 51 / (3) 54 / (4) 34 / (2) 19 / (3) 18: 176pts 
4. Cory (Philip Harper): (2) 57 / (1) 60 / (6) 30 / (5) 16 / (9) 12: 175pts 
5. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse): (3) 54 / (5) 48 / (5) 32 / (4) 17 / (4) 17: 168pts 
6. Paris Brass Band (Florent Didier): (6) 45 / (7) 42 / (3) 36 / (10) 11 / (8) 13: 147pts 
7. Brighouse & Rastrick (Dr David Thornton): (7) 42 / (6) 45 / (7) 28 / (7) 14 / (7) 14: 143pts 
8. Carlton Main Frickley (Ian McElligott): (9) 36 / (8) 39 / (9) 24 / (11) 10 / (11) 10: 117pts* 
9. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke): (8) 39 / (10) 33 / (8) 26 / (12) 9 / (6) 15: 116pts** 
10. Grimethorpe Colliery (Cpt Sam Hairsine): (10) 33 / (9) 36 / (12) 18 / (6) 15 / (12) 9: 111pts 
11. Flowers (David Childs): (12) 27 / (12) 27 / (10) 22 / (9) 12 / (2) 19: 107pts 
12. Leyland (Thomas Wyss): (11) 30 / (11) 30 / (11) 20 / (8) 13 / (10) 11: 104pts 
* 2pts deducted for time penalty 
**6ts deducted for time penalty 

Individual Awards: 
Quality of Performance: Eikanger-Bjørsvik  
Programme Content: Fountain City 
Best Performance in Entertainment & Presentation: Fountain City 
Audience Entertainment Trophy: Tredegar  
Best New Composition: 'Life' by Fabien Cali (Paris Brass Band) 
Best Soloist: Gary Curtin (euphonium) — Foden's 
Best Soprano: Ryan Sharp (Fountain City) 
Best Principal Cornet: Kirsty Abbotts (Carlton Main Frickley Colliery) 
Best Flugel: Helen Williams (Cory) 
Best Tenor Horn: Sheona White (Brighouse & Rastrick) 
Best Baritone: Ben Stratford (Tredegar) 
Best Euphonium: Glyn Williams (Cory) 
Best Trombone: Tore Bryne Berg (bass trombone) Eikanger-Bjørsvik  
Best Bass Section: Cory  
Best Percussion: Fountain City  
Youngest Player: Alex Evans (Tredegar) 
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