Five Lakes Silver win 2022 US Open
The Great Lakes Brass Band Association hosted the 2022 US Open Championship at the Clarkston Performing Arts Center in Clarkston, Michigan. Adjudicators William Himes, Jessica Sneeringer and Tony Granados had much to enjoy and admire in the the Championship and
The day began with the Challenge Section where Motor City Brass Band under the direction of Gordon Ward were victorious. The Championship Section followed in the afternoon with the title awarded to Detroit's own Five Lakes Silver Band. Conducted by Christopher Ward, the programme began with Frederick Schjelderup's Beethoven inspired 'A Fantasy of Joy leading into 'Prelude to 49th Parallel; by Vaughan-Williams which was fabulously contrasted with Caleb Goncz's xylophone solo Mozart's 'Rondo Alla Turca' arranged by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Khachaturian's 'Russian Dance' led neatly into the final section of Johan de Meij's Tchaikovsky inspired 'Extreme Makeover' to conclude the band’s impressive set. As well as taking the title the band also claimed the prizes for 'best' basses, trombones, cornets, and percussion, as well as the coveted 'Most Entertaining Band' award.
Canadian visitors Weston Silver Band from Toronto was awarded second place with their euphonium player Robert Miller impressing with 'Vallflickens Dans' to take the 'Best Individual Performer' accolade. Oakland University Brass Band was placed third.
Results:
Championship Section:
1. Five Lakes Silver Band
2. Weston Silver Band
3. Oakland University Brass Band
The Niermeyer Award for Most Entertaining Band: Five Lakes Silver Band
Challenge Section:
1. Motor City Brass Band
2. Capital City Brass Band
3. Mid Michigan Brass Band
Best Individual Performer Championship Section: Robert Miller (euphonium) — Weston Silver Band
Best Individual Performer Challenge Section: Jennifer Kmet (horn) — Motor City
Best Performance of a Solo: Robert Miller (euphonium) — Weston Silver
Best New Composition or Arrangement: Symphony No 10, Mvt 2 (Shostakovich arr. Joshua Jameson & Andrew DeWeese)
Best Performance of a March: Weston Silver (Ravenswood)
Best Cornet Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Flugel & Tenor Horn Section: Weston Silver Band
Best Trombone Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Euphonium & Baritone Section: Weston Silver Band
Best Bass Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Percussion Section: Five Lakes Silver Band
Best Busker: Dublin Silver Band
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