The 2025 Brass in Concert Championship: A Triumph of Collaboration
The prestigious Brass in Concert Championship 2025 has crowned a new champion, and it's a testament to the power of collaboration. The winning ensemble, conducted by Katrina Marzella Wheeler, has inspired a harmonious blend of musical excellence. This year's judges were a distinguished panel, ensuring a thorough evaluation of each band's performance.
The judges' scores were as follows:
- The Cooperation Band (Katrina Marzella Wheeler): 1 (60)/3 (54)/3 (36)/5 (16)/2 (19) = 185
- Brighouse & Rastrick (David Thornton): 6 (45)/1 (60)/2 (38)/3 (18)/3 (18) = 179
- Cory (Philip Harper): 2 (57)/2 (57)/8 (26)/2 (19)/5 (16) = 175
- GUS Band (Christopher Bond): 7 (42)/4 (51)/5 (32)/6 (15)/6 (15) = 155
- Brass Band Schoonhoven (Eric Janssen): 9 (36)/7 (42)/1 (40)/4 (17)/1 (20) = 155
- Flowers (Paul Holland): 3 (54)/6 (45)/7 (28)/9 (12)/10 (11) = 150
- Foden's (Michael Fowles): 5 (48)/9 (36)/4 (34)/10 (11)/4 (17) = 146
- Aldbourne (Glyn Williams): 10 (33)/5 (48)/6 (30)/7 (14)/9 (12) = 137
- Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Allan Withington): 4 (51)/10 (33)/10 (22)/11 (10)/8 (13) = 129
- Kleppe Musikklag (Tormod Flaten): 8 (39)/8 (39)/9 (24)/8 (13)/7 (14) = 129
- KNDS Fairey (Mark Heron): 11 (30)/11 (30)/11 (20)/1 (20)/11 (10) = 110
The audience's favorite was Foden's, and the highest-rated performances were The Cooperation Band for overall quality and Brass Band Schoonhoven for programme content and entertainment.
The highlight of the competition was the Best New Composition/Arrangement, awarded to 'Bring the Bass' by Simon Dobson from Brass Band Schoonhoven. Garry Curtin from Foden's was named the Best Soloist, while Paul Richards from Flowers took the Best Soprano award.
Alex Ramsay from The Cooperation Band was recognized for Best Principal Cornet, and Stephanie Kennedy from the same band received the Best Flugel award. Jonathan Bates from Foden's was honored for Best Horn, and Eliot Harrington from Flowers was named Best Baritone.
Chris Robertson from Brighouse & Rastrick was awarded Best Euphonium, Chris Thomas from Flowers received Best Trombone, and Carlton Main Frickley's section was named Best Bass Section. Flowers also took home the Best Percussion award.
The youngest player, Alava Petra from Kleppe Musikklag, was just 17 years old. The Winning Conductor Trophy went to Katrina Marzella Wheeler, a testament to her exceptional leadership and musical vision.
This championship celebrated the art of brass band music, showcasing the talent and dedication of musicians across the globe.
