Cory Crowned European Champions
Defending champions Cory proved unbeatable again as they claimed victory at the long awaited European Brass Band Championships at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. The band gave a superb performance of Philip Wilby’s set-test ‘Saints Triumphant’ on Saturday evening under the inimitable musical direction of Philip Harper. The audience and brass band aficionados all had them amongst the top performances of the day, but Cory not resting on their laurels delivered a fine performance of Thierry Deleruyelle’s ‘No Man’s Land’ as their own choice selection. The performance was incredibly detailed with sublime solo playing across the entire weekend, particularly from Principal Cornet Tom Hutchinson. Cory then metaphorically let its hair down in a spectacular Gala Concert with the Louis Dowdeswell Big Band before hearing that the esteemed judging panel had crowned them Champions of Europe.
Results can be seen below and a full report and review will appear in the next edition of Brass Band World.
Championship Section
Adjudicators:
Set Work: Prof Garry Cutt, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Erik Janssen
Own Choice: Arvid Anthun, Christophe Jeanbourquin, Jan de Haan
Test Piece: Saint Triumphant (Prof Philip Wilby)
Set Work/Own Choice = Total
1. Cory (Philip Harper): 98/94 = 192
No Man's Land (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc): 93/98 = 191
A Gabrieli Fantasy (Bert Appermont)
3. Foden's Band (Russell Gray): 94/96 = 190
Eden (John Pickard)
4. Tredegar Band (Ian Porthouse): 96/92 = 188*
So Spoke Albion... (Gavin Higgins)
5. Stavanger Brass Band (Allan Withington): 95/93 = 188
The Turing Test (Simon Dobson)
6. Hauts-de-France Brass Band (Luc Vertommen): 91/97 = 188
Sinfonietta no.2 — Four Impressions (Pierre-Antoine Savoyat)
7. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Paul Holland): 90/95 = 185
Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)
8. 3BA Concert Band (Corsin Tuor): 92/88 = 180
Other Lives (Oliver Waespi)
9. the cooperation band (Michael Fowles): 89/89 = 178
Journey of the Lonely Wolf (Simon Dobson)
10. Göta Brass Band (Michael Thomson): 87/90 = 177
From Ancient Times (Jan Van der Roost)
11. Brass Band Oberosterreich (Gunther Reisegger): 88/87 = 175
Dynasty (Peter Graham)
Best Soloist: Will Norman (flugel) — Tredegar Brass Band
*Set Work placing takes precedence in event of a tie
Challenge Section
Adjudicators: Prof Garry Cutt, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Erik Janssen
Test Piece: 'Variations for Brass Band' (Ralph Vaughan Williams adapted by Philip Littlemore) and Own Choice
1. Brass Band Regensburg (Thomas Freiss): 91
2. Brassband Uberetsch (Johann Finatzer): 90
3. Hebden Bridge Band (Christopher Binns): 89
4. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn): 88
Soloist: Bethan Plant (solo cornet) — Hebden Bridge
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