Black Dyke
England
Formed: 1855
Conductor: Dr. Nicholas Childs
4BR Ranking: 2
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Richard Marshall
Principal Euphonium: Gary Curtin
Principal Trombone: Brett Baker
Soprano: Paul Duffy
Flugel: Zoe Hancock
Horn: Sheona White
Baritone: Katrina Marzella
Eb Tuba: Joseph Cook
Bb Tuba: Matt Routley
Percussion: Ashley Clegg
European Appearances: 20th time
1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
1978: Winners - n/k
1979: Winners - 1st/1st
1980: 2nd overall - 3rd/1st
1982: Winners - 1st/1st
1983: Winners - 1st/1st
1984: Winners - 1st/1st
1985: Winners - 2nd/4th
1986: 2nd overall - 2nd/1st
1987: Winners - 1st/3rd
1988: 2nd - 2nd/1st
1990: Winners - 1st/1st
1991: Winners - 2nd/2nd
1992: 2nd overall - 3rd/3rd
1995: Winners - 1st/3rd
1996: 2nd overall - 2nd/1st
2002: 3rd overall - 3rd/2nd
2005: Winners - 1st/1st
2006: 4th overall – 5th/4th
2010: 4th overall – 5th/4th
The performances from 1978 to 1988 were conducted by Peter Parkes. David King directed in 1990 and 1991, whilst James Watson took the helm between 1992 and 1996.
Nicholas Childs made his first appearance with the band in 2002.
Own choice works used:
1978: Connotations
1979: John O'Gaunt
1980: Journey Into Freedom
1982: Pageantry
1983: Epic Symphony
1984: Blitz
1985: Volcano
1986: Contest Music
1987: Contest Music
1988: Cloudcatcher Fells
1990: Harmony Music
1991: Diversions on a Bass Theme
1992: Odin
1995: Variations on an Enigma
1996: Revelation
2002: Revelation
2005: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
2006: Extreme Makeover
2010: Red Priest
Best Performance: 11 time winners
1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1995, 2005
Last Year: Did not qualify
Conductor:
Dr. Nicholas Childs has achieved the highest international reputation as a performer, teacher/clinician, conductor, interpreter and advocate of new music, and producer of recordings.
Initial success came as a euphonium soloist, performing in many of the world's most famous concert halls with the most prestigious bands and orchestras.
In recent years he has premiered with Black Dyke Band new works by leading British composers.
In 2000 he directed Fodens in the premiere of Trumpets of the Angels and followed this with the RNCM Brass Band's first presentation of Danceries.
He has pursued a series of pace-setting recordings of new music, including releases of Michael Ball, Arthur Butterworth, Peter Graham and Wilfred Heaton.
With Black Dyke Band as Band-in-Residence at the RNCM, he has been able to promote several BBC Radio 3 broadcasts.
Having first been trained in the Tredegar Junior Band, he continues to give important emphasis to the development of the brass band movement.
He has served as the director of The NYBB of Great Britain, Denmark, and has gained national championships in France, Norway, Wales and Scotland and the UK.
Cory
Wales
Formed: 1884
Conductor: Dr. Robert Childs
4BR Ranking: 1
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Tom Hutchinson
Principal Euphonium: Matthew White
Principal Trombone: Christopher Thomas
Soprano: Steve Stewart
Flugel: Joanne Childs
Horn: Owen Farr
Baritone: Steven Kane
Eb Tuba: Simon Howell
Bb Tuba: Fraser Bish
Percussion: Alun Horgan
European Appearances: 23rd time
1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
European Record: (set work/ own choice)
1979: 2nd overall – 3rd/3rd
1980: Winners – 1st/2nd
1981: 6th overall – N/K
1982: 2nd overall – 3rd/2nd
1983: 3rd overall – 7th/2nd
1984: 2nd overall – 3rd/2nd
1985: 2nd overall – 4th/1st
1986: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
1987: 8th overall – 8th/7th
1989: 3rd overall – 1st/4th
1993: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
1999: 5th overall – 5th/4th
2001: 2nd overall – 1st/3rd
2003: 2nd overall – 2nd/1st
2004: 6th overall – 6th/7th
2005: 2nd overall – 2nd/3rd
2006: 3rd overall – 3rd/1st
2007: 3rd overall – 1st/5th
2008: Winners – 1st/3rd
2009: Winners – 1st/1st
2010: Winners – 1st/1st
2011: 2nd overall – 5th/1st
Denzil Stephens directed the band between 1979 and 1981. Major Arthur Kenney directed from 1982 to 1987. Brian Howard took them in 1989, Michael Antrobus in 1993 and Jeremy Wise in 1999.
Since 2001 they have been directed by Dr. Robert Childs.
Own Choice works used:
1979: Judges of the Secret Court
1980: Triumphant Rhapsody
1981: Connotations
1982: Fireworks
1983: Variations on a Ninth
1984: Contest Music
1985: Dances and Arias
1986: Ballet for Band
1987: Dances and Arias
1989: Diversions on a Bass Theme
1993: Harmony Music
1999: Of Men and Mountains
2001: Harrison's Dream
2003: Revelation
2004: Revelation
2005: Concerto Grosso
2006: The Promised Land
2007: Of Men and Mountains
2008: Music for Battle Creek
2009: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
2010: A Tale as Yet Untold
2011: From Ancient Times
Best Performance: 4 time winners
1980, 2008, 2009, 2010
Last Year: 2nd
Conductor:
Dr. Robert Childs is an associate of the RCM, a Fellow of the LCM and gained a distinction in a Masters Degree from the University of Leeds.
He also holds a PGC in Education from the Open University. His status as a professional musician encompasses many fields of music making.
He is Director of Brass Band Studies at the WCMD, Professor of Euphonium at the RNCM and the University of Leeds.
He is a tutor and council member to the National Youth Bands of Wales and Great Britain and of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.
In 2000, he became the MD of the Buy As You View Cory Band and won the British Open Championship, the National Championship and runner-up at the European Championship in a single season.
In 2002, he became MD to the NYBB of Wales and Cory became British Open champion again – a feat repeated in 2007 and 2009. In 2002, he was awarded 'Doctor of Musical Arts' from the University of Leeds.
He makes his last contest appearance with Cory at this year’s event.
Lyngby Taarbaek
Denmark
Formed: 1989
Conductor: Selmer Simonsen
4BR Ranking: 49
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dennis Aaberg Andersen
Principal Euphonium: Michael Thomsen
Principal Trombone: N/K
Soprano: Lars Haedersdal
Flugel: Helle Hansen
Horn: Lisbeth Haedersdal
Baritone: Ea Vangkilde
Eb Tuba: Karen Appel
Bb Tuba: Peter Hansen
Percussion: Mikkel Vangkilde
European Appearances: 11th time
1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012
European Record: (set work/ own choice)
1997: 9th overall - 8th/10th
1998: 11th overall – 11th/10th
2003: 9th overall – 9th/9th
2004: 5th overall – 4th/8th
2005: 7th overall – 4th/9th
2006: 10th overall – 10th/10th
2007: 7th overall – 7th/7th
2008: 7th overall – 4th/8th
2009: 9th overall – 6th/11th
2011: 9th overall – 8th/8th
The performances of 1997, 1998 and 2003 were directed by Jesper Juul Sorensen. Ray Farr conducted the band from 2004 to 2006.
Christian Schmiedescamp directed from 2007 to 2009. Selmer Simonsen took the band in 2011 and 2012.
Own Choice works used:
1997: An Epic Symphony
1998: Fantasy for Brass Band
2003: Montage
2004: …Dove Descending
2005: St. Magnus
2006: Music of the Spheres
2007: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
2008: Apocalypse
2009: Harmony Music
2011: A Tale As Yet Untold
Best Performance: 5th place in 2004
Last Year: 8th
Conductor:
Selmer Simonsen was born in Karmøy in Norway and from a young age became interested in music.
Aged 13 he joined the Kopervik Band as a cornet player under the direction of his father Svein Birger Simonsen who was the Corps' director.
After four years of study at the University of Trondheim, where Selmer played for Ila Brass Band, he decided to study in London to supplement the education with knowledge of the Salvation Army Brass Band scene.
This would prove to be both a year of great personal development and in addition would change his future ambitions.
The following year he began conducting studies at the University of Salford as a pupil of Dr. Roy Newsome and David King.
In January 2000, two and a half years after he passed his Masters degree in conducting, he embarked upon a highly successful freelance conducting career which has seen him direct many leading bands in both the UK and at home and win a number of domestic titles.
He made his debut as a conductor at the European Championships in 2011.
Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Norway
Formed: 1959
Conductor: Professor David King
4BR Ranking: 11
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Henning Anundsen
Principal Euphonium: Patrik Randefalk
Principal Trombone: Endre Rydland Vetas
Soprano: N/K
Flugel: Gyda Matland
Horn: Monica Vobe Reigstad
Baritone: Nina Mjanger Eide
Eb Tuba: Magnus Brandseth
Bb Tuba: Fredrik Berentsen
Percussion: Svein Fjermestad
European Appearances: 17th time
1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
1980: 7th overall - 7th/6th
1981: 5th overall - n/k
1982: 7th overall - 5th/8th
1984: 13th overall - 10th/11th
1985: 6th overall - 5th/11th
1987: 6th overall - 6th/5th
1988: Winners - 1st/1st
1989: Winners - 2nd/1st
1990: 6th overall - 8th/2nd
1992: 3rd overall - 2nd/8th
1994: 2nd overall - 1st/3rd
2000: 2nd overall - 3rd/1st
2002: 4th overall - 4th/4th
2006: 7th overall – 7th/7th
2009: 3rd overall – 2nd/6th
2010: 2nd overall – 2nd/2nd
Rod Franks conducted on their inaugural appearance in 1980. Helge Haukas conducted in 1981, 1982 and 1987. Tom Brevik conducted in 1984 and 1985. Ray Farr conducted in 1992. Howard Snell directed in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2000 and 2002.
Bjorn Sagstad directed in 2006 and Bjarte Engeset conducted in 2009. David King took the helm in 2010 and 2012.
Own choice works used:
1980: John O'Gaunt
1981: The Plantagenets
1982: Triumphant Rhapsody
1984: Epic Symphony
1985: Blitz
1987: Pagentry
1988: Variations on an Enigma
1989: Variations on an Enigma
1990: Partita
1992: Trittico
1994: Year of the Dragon
2000: Concerto Grosso
2002: …Dove Descending
2006: Riff and Interludes
2009: Extreme Makeover
2010: Concerto Grosso
Best Performance: Two time winner
1988, 1989
Last Year: Did not qualify
Conductor:
David King is regarded as one of the most dynamic figures in the world of brass today, with an enviable record of musical accomplishments and successes both as an instrumentalist and conductor.
He studied Trumpet and Cornet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and music education at Avondale College.
In 1982 as Australian cornet champion he was awarded a scholarship to study band musicianship at Salford College, where he graduated with distinction in Performance in 1985.
In Britain David King pursued a distinguished career as a cornet soloist and was 'North of England Solo Champion' on three occasions.
He represented the United Kingdom as 'British Open Solo Champion' and won the prestigious title 'International Brass Musician of the Year' in New Zealand in 1992.
In 2000 David King graduated from the Institute for Social Research, University of Salford, with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree majoring in Performance and has since been awarded his professorship.
As a conductor Dr David King is revered as one of the most successful conductors on the concert and contest platform in the last decade.
He won the European title ten times, twice with Black Dyke Mills Band and eight times with the Yorkshire Building Society Band.
Co-operative Funeralcare
Scotland
Formed:
Conductor: Allan Withington
4BR Ranking: 13
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Jim Hayes
Principal Euphonium: Glen Van Looy
Principal Trombone: Paul Kiernan
Soprano: Caroline Tennant
Flugel: Caroline Farren
Horn: Alison Hall
Baritone: John Stirling
Eb Tuba: Kenny Brown
Bb Tuba: Andy Smith
Percussion: Derek Love
European Appearances: 13th time
1979, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
1979: 7th overall - 7th/ 6th
1989: 2nd overall - 3rd/ 2nd
1990: 5th overall - 4th/ 7th
1991: 9th overall - 5th /9th
1992: 7th overall - 7th/7th
1997: 2nd overall - 3rd/2nd
1998: 6th overall - 5th/6th
1999: 6th overall - 9th/ 2nd
2001: 4th overall - 5th/5th
2002: 8th overall - 8th/ 7th
2004: 3rd overall - 2nd/4th
2007: 6th overall – 5th/10th
Performances have been directed by Nigel Boddice in 1979, Richard Evans in 1989 and John Hudson in 1990 and 1991. Stephen Sykes conducted in 1992 and Howard Snell directed the band in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Ray Farr conducted the band in 2002 whilst Dr Nicholas Childs directed in 2001 and again in 2004. Allan Ramsay made his debut with the band in 2007.
Allan Withington debuts with the band in 2012.
Own choice works used:
1979: Triumphant Rhapsody
1989: Dances and Arias
1990: Contest Music
1991: Partita
1992: English Heritage
1997: Pageantry
1998: Connotations
1999: Masquerade
2001: Harrison's Dream
2002: Revelation
2004: ...Dove Descending
2007: Vienna Nights
Best Performance: 2nd in 1989 and 1997
Last Year: Did not qualify
Conductor:
Allan Withington is one of the most successful conductors in the banding world.
His playing career saw him play principal cornet at many of the top bands in the country including Wingates and Fodens, whilst he has been Principal Trumpet of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
He studied at Salford College under the tuition of Roy Newsome and has also played for the London Symphony Orchestra.
His conducting career blossomed when he took over the role of Musical Director of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band, and in his long association with them led them to two National titles, three All England Masters titles, a European success and two Yorkshire titles.
He was appointed MD of Williams Fairey in 2002 and led them to the National title later that year and repeated the feat twelve months later. With Grimethorpe he led them to twin National title successes.
He has lived in Norway for many years and has been one of the most successful conductors in their banding scene.
He has won three National 2nd Division titles in a row with Tertnes twice and Krohnengen once between 1984 and 1986, before winning the Elite title in 2002 with Manger and with Stavanger in 2007.
Brass Band Oberoesterreich
Austria
Formed: 2002
Conductor: Hannes Buchegger
4BR Ranking: 36
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Hans Gansch
Principal Euphonium: Harald Buchner
Principal Trombone: Lito Fontana
Soprano: Christian Hollensteiner
Flugel: Florian Brunmayr
Horn: Thomas Beiganz
Baritone: Franz Wachlmayr
Eb Tuba: Walter Baldinger
Bb Tuba: Andreas Trausner
Percussion: Markus Ridderbusch
European Appearances: 8th time (5th time in Championship Section)
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2004: 4th place in B Section
Set work – "Airs and Dances" plus own choice selections
2005: Winners of B Section
Set work - "Match – Rhythm" plus own choice selections
2006: Winners of B Section
Set work – ‘Little Christmas' plus own choice selections
2007: 5th overall – 4th/9th
2008: 10th overall – 8th/10th
2009: 6th overall – 3rd/7th
2010: 3rd overall – 3rd/4th
All performances have been directed by Hannes Buchegger.
Own Choice works used:
2007: Titan’s Progress
2008: Dreams
2009: Spirits of Puccini
2010: From Ancient Times
Best Performance: 3rd in 2010
Last Year: Did not enter
Conductor:
Hannes Buchegger was born in Innsbruck in 1953 and was a student at the Tiroler Landeskonservatorium where he gained a diploma in trumpet and played and was taught by Edgar Seipenbusch.
He came to prominence in the brass band world in 1994 when he led Brass Band Fröschl Hall to the first of their four B Section European titles.
He had been involved with brass ensembles since 1986 and this led to him being involved in the ‘Fixed Installation’ course at the University of Music and Art in Graz and the formation of Brass Band OberÖsterreich.
He is the Director of the Städtischen Musikschule Hall in Tirol and has been a leading adjudicator in many national and international music competitions.
Brass Band Nord Pas-de-Calais
France
Formed: 1992
Conductor: Russell Gray
4BR Ranking: 68
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Emmanuel Gheysens
Principal Euphonium: Jean Luc Petitprez
Principal Trombone: Thomas Callaux
Soprano: William Houssoy
Flugel: Jean Paul Bliek
Horn: Frederic Lorthios
Baritone: Antoine Smis
Eb Tuba: Benoit Meurin
Bb Tuba: Sebastien Castryck
Percussion: Alexandre Gallet
European Appearances: 4th time (2nd time in Championship Section)
2001, 2002, 2010, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2001: 2nd place in B Section
Set work – ‘Symphonic Music’ plus own choice selections
2002: Winners of B Section: Winners
Set work – ‘Excalibur’ plus own choice selections
2010: 8th overall – 8th/10th
Performances were conducted by P. Lorthios until 2001. Russell Gray conducted in 2010 and 2012.
Own Choice works used:
2010: Harmony Music
Best Performance: 8th in 2010
Last Year: Did not qualify
Conductor:
Russell Gray was born near Glasgow, and an early interest in music saw him pick up his father’s trumpet by the age of 9.
Within a few years he had won many national solo prizes including the under 17 Solo Championship of Great Britain by the time he was 12.
Russell moved to Yorkshire to study music and soon after joined Black Dyke where he stayed for two years. He subsequently became principal cornet of Fodens and Leyland Bands.
Russell’s conducting career started when he was appointed resident conductor of the Stavanger Band in 1998.
Russell moved back to England in 2001 to take over as conductor of the Ransome Band leading them to second place at the National Championships in 2000.
In 2002, Fodens Richardson approached Russell to conduct them and within the first year had obtained three first and two second places in five contests.
2005 was one of Russell's most productive years, winning six out of eight competitions culminating with the National Brass Band Championships on Great Britain with Leyland.
Since 2003 Russell has been freelancing as a conductor and player, and this has continued to take him around the world.
Manger Musikklag
Norway
Formed: 1922
Conductor: Peter Sebastian Szilvay
4BR Ranking: 10
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Erlend Aagaard-Nilsen
Principal Euphonium: Birthe Carlsen
Principal Trombone: Birgitte Bruget
Soprano: Preben Johansen
Flugel: Randi Holm
Horn: Kirsti Loe
Baritone: Kjetil Raknerud
Eb Tuba: Christian Breistein
Bb Tuba: Oystein Berentsen
Percussion: Brynjar Mjanger Eide
European Appearances: 12th time
1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2011, 2012
European Record: (set piece/own choice)
1978: N/K (outside top 6)
1980: 5th overall – 4th/ 6th
1981: 2nd overall
1983: 7th overall – 5th/ 9th
1989: 8th overall – 8th/ 6th
1995: 4th overall – 3rd/ 4th
1996: 3rd overall – 6th/ 3rd
1997: 7th overall – 6th/ 6th
1998: 10th overall – 10th/ 9th
2003: 5th overall – 7th/4th
2011: Winners – 1st/2nd
Own Choice works used:
1978: Norwegian Fantasy
1980: Pageantry
1981: Connotations
1983: Spectrum
1989: Salute to Youth
1995: Montage
1996: Harmony Music
1997: Freedom
1998: Journey Into Freedom
2003: Harmony Music
2011: Old Blues Licked Up
Tom Brevik directed the performances of 1978 and 1989. Michael Antrobus directed the performances of 1980, 1981 and 1983. David King directed the performance of 1995.
Bjorn Sagstad directed in 1996. Ray Farr directed in 1997. James Gourlay directed in 1998. Allan Withington directed in 2003 and Peter Sebastian Szilvay conducted in 2011 and again in 2012.
Best Performance: Winners in 2011
Last Year: Winners
Conductor:
Peter Sebastian Szilvay has a degree in viola playing and conducting from the Norwegian Academy of Music, and has an impressive musical CV.
He was conductor in residence with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2000, and was artistic director with the Norwegian Army Band in Bergen from 2000 to 2003.
In 1998 he won the Norwegian 'Conductor of the Year' competition, which led to him working as international renowned Maris Jansons assistant, a position he filled for three years.
Noord-Limburgse
Belgium
Formed: 1995
Conductor: Ivan Meylemans
4BR Ranking: 31
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Pieter Houben
Principal Euphonium: Nick Vermeiren
Principal Trombone: Maarten Lowel
Soprano: Joeri Van Hove
Flugel: Tinne Vermeiren
Horn: Cindy Simons
Baritone: Jan Luys
Eb Tuba: Geert Boutsen
Bb Tuba: Ruben Vanveggel
Percussion: Wim Deferme
European Appearances: 2nd time
2011, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2011: 5th overall – 2nd/7th
Own choice works used:
2011: Montage
Best Performance: 5th in 2011
Last Year: 5th
Conductor:
Ivan Meylemans started his orchestral conducting studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, where his teachers were Ed Spanjaard and Jac van Steen.
Since he graduated in 2000, Ivan has taken part in several national and international conducting competitions and has proven very successful.
In 2005 he was awarded the ‘Salon Prize’, of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. This prize resulted in a first full-CD recording with the Royal Concertgebouw Brass
2007 marked a major turning point as he decided to end his 13-year career as a trombone soloist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to fully dedicate his time to his advancing career as a conductor.
He become an assistant to Mariss Jansons, chief-conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and also assisted other renowned conductors like Herbert Blomstedt and Markus Stenz.
In 2007, Ivan was appointed chief-conductor of Het Kamer Orkest Bruges, one of the few remaining chamber ensembles that has established an acknowledged and renowned place amongst the specialised chamber orchestras of Belgium.
Today, Ivan has been much in demand as a guest conductor for famous national and international chamber and symphony orchestras.
Among his future engagements are performances with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic of Flandres and the Danish Radio Symphony orchestra.
Brass Band Schoonhoven
The Netherlands
Formed: 1921
Conductor: Erik Janssen
4BR Ranking: 27
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Dennis Vork
Principal Euphonium: Robbert Vo
Principal Trombone: Wolter Lommerde
Soprano: Wouter Zuidam
Flugel: Clenn Keizer
Horn: Hanneke van Mourik
Baritone: Harry Spruyt
Eb Tuba: Joop van Dijk
Bb Tuba: William Otto
Percussion: Xander van der Ploeg
European Appearances: 2nd time
2011, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2011: 4th overall – 3rd/5th
Own choice works used:
2011: Music of the Spheres
Best Performance: 4th in 2011
Last Year: 4th
Conductor:
Erik Janssen was born in 1966 and became the Musical Director of the conductor of the band in 2000.
He studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, where he came under the teaching of Peter Masseurs and Danny Oosterman and gained a Doctorate in the Trumpet.
He has also been associated with Brass Band Schoonhoven, Noordholland Concert Brass and Zaandijks Fanfare Corps.
He has also performed with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, National Jeugdorkest, Netherlands Studenten Orchestra, Amsterdam Wind Orchestra as well as a selection of diverse musical groups and Big Bands.
Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan
Switzerland
Formed:
Conductor: Jean Francois Bobillier
4BR Ranking: 63
Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Francois Roh
Principal Euphonium: Fabrice Sauthier
Principal Trombone: Gregoire Sauthier
Soprano: Jeremy Dorsaz
Flugel: Christophe Clement
Horn: Eric Duc
Baritone: Julian Pralong
Eb Tuba: Lionel Pinton
Bb Tuba: Romain Vergeres
Percussion: Olivier Marietan
European Appearances: 2nd time
2000, 2012
European Record: (set work/own choice)
2000: 8th overall – 6th/9th
Own choice works used:
2000: Montage
Best Performance: 8th in 2000
Last Year: Did not qualify
Conductor:
Jean-François Bobillier was born in 1973 and since 2006 has been the conductor of the Swiss brass band Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan.
He played with his local Echo Orny band and completed his studies in euphonium and conducting at the Conservatory of Sion in 1994.
In 1995, he trained at the military academy of music in Zurich, training that will lead different military orchestras. He decided to devote himself exclusively to music and studies under Hervé Klopfenstein and Jean Balissat at the Conservatoire de Lausanne, where he graduated in 2001.
He has also studies at various academies and had conducted at symphonic ensembles in Cernay (1997), Sarajevo (1998) and Pontarlier (2001).
He has been the head of the School of Music ‘Cadets Geneva’ for the past eight and is also Director of the Brass Ensemble ‘Ambitus’.
He is also in demand to work as an adjudicator at various competitions and was guest conductor of the professional Aulos orchestra between 2004 and 2007.
His musical career has been rewarded by two cultural merits of the Commune of Orsières.
