Belgians Dominate Brass Championships

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Belgians Dominate Brass Championships

Press Release Date: 12 November 2010

The British Open Solo and Quartet Championships at Dukinfield Town Hall were dominated by Belgian musicians, who claimed four of the five titles.

Promoted by Tameside Council and the British Open, the annual championships, attracted competitors from around the world to Dukinfield Town Hall. With entry levels at their highest to date, the event ran for a mammoth 10 hours.

Junior and senior musicians competed in five championship sections: senior solo, intermediate slow melody, junior slow melody, junior quartets and senior quartets. Prize money totalled £3,000.

The adjudicators were Phillip Bailey, Thomas Wyss, Katrina Marzella, David Roberts, Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott - several of whom have tasted success in the event. The accompanists were contest regulars Roderick Barrand and David Jones.

Events culminated in the closely-fought senior solo championship final. Reigning open solo champion Jef Vermeiren of Belgium competed to defend his title against seven others.

The title of 2010 British Open Solo Champion, plus the Harry Mortimer Trophy and £350 went to Belgian cornet star Harmen Vanhoorne from Brass Band Buizingen. He performed “Fortune’s Fool” and adjudicators Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott paid him the ultimate compliment by listening and writing almost nothing on their judging sheets.

James McCabe, principal cornet for Rothwell Temperance Link to External Website , was runner-up while Jef Vermeiren had to settle for third place.

Harmen Vanhoorne also scooped a fantastic prize, sponsored by Tameside Council, giving him the chance to compete in the Ern Keller International Soloist of the Year competition to be contested in Sydney, Australia, in the new year.

Alongside the British entrant will be the New Zealand and Australian champions, in addition to state champions from around the country.

Further Belgian success came in the intermediate slow melody Final when Lode Violet (Brass Band Willebroek) retained the title courtesy of a fine rendition of Rusalka's “Song to the Moon”.

Exit Brass, comprising three members of Brass Band Buizingen (including Harmen Vanhoorne) took the senior quartet title with the help of Glen van Looy of Brass Band Heist.

Three junior quartets battled it out for the 2010 title, with Brass Band Hageland's performance of '”Recreation” coming out on top.

However, the day did prove fruitful for one UK entrant. In the junior slow melody section, James Howard, a talented trombonist from Mossley Band Link to External Website , gave a performance of Hogey Carmichael's “Stardust” that belied his age.

Cllr John Sullivan, Tameside Council’s Assistant Executive Member for Music, Culture and Performing Arts, said: “This year’s entry levels were the highest we have seen in 14 years of sponsoring the contest, and I am delighted that a competition of such a high calibre has once again taken place here in the borough.”

Next on Tameside's brass band calendar is the youth brass festival, set to take place on Sunday, 28 November, once again at Dukinfield Town Hall.

British Open Solo & Quartet Championships 2010 Full Results

Senior solo final

Adjudicators: Dr Nicholas Childs and James Scott

Harmen Vanhoorne (Brass Band Buizingen) - B-flat cornet
James McCabe (Rothwell Temperance) - B-flat cornet
Jef Vermeiren (Noord-Limburgse) - B-flat cornet

Finalists

Bruce Myers (Australia) - tenor horn
Lewis Musson (Wingates) - euphonium
Byron Newton (Pelorus Trust, Wellington, New Zealand) - euphonium
Daniel Powell (Kibworth) - tenor horn
Daniel Walton (Shirland Welfare) - B-flat cornet

Individual instrumental award

Best soprano/cornet: Harmen Vanhoorne (Brass Band Buizingen)
Best flugel/E-flat horn: Daniel Powell (Kibworth)
Best baritone/euphonium: Byron Newton (Pelorus Trust, Wellington, New Zealand)
Best trombone: Stephen Lomas (Desford Colliery)
Best bass: Jonathon Truscott (Desford Colliery)