There isn't a bad view from the hall...
The 42nd European Brass Band Championships return to Switzerland for a fifth time this weekend - 31 years after its first visit to Lucerne in 1988.
It will also be the fourth time it will be hosted at the magnificent Montreux Convention Centre on the banks of Lake Geneva - perhaps the most beautifully positioned brass band contest venue in the world.
See it all on-line
So much to look forward to then, especially as those unable to make the trip (and tickets for the main attractions were sold out within an hour of being released on-line) will be able to enjoy the action thanks to the live broadcast being hosted by World of Brass in partnership with 4BR.
All you have to do is go to https://www.worldofbrass.tv/ and you can sign up for the complete package for just £12.95 or for the Youth events for only £5.95.
If you just want to enjoy the usual 4BR coverage free of charge, then just log-in as usual and you will be able to follow our comments, analysis, interview etc.
Calm oasis
After a few years where EBBA’s President Ulf Rosenberg had to endure some sleepless nights in pre-contest planning and preparation, Oostende, Utrecht and now Montreux will have offered the peaceful tranquillity of being oases of calm professionalism.
The Swiss Brass Band Federation, led by their President Ariane Brun, has a well earned reputation for being perhaps the best of the lot.
To say it runs with the precision of a Swiss timepiece isn’t that far from the truth.
The amount of detailed work that goes into their annual National Championships at this venue is something to behold.
To say it runs with the precision of a Swiss timepiece isn’t that far from the truth.
And whilst Montreux itself may be a bit pricey, visitors from around the banding world will be offered a warm welcome, excellent facilities and the opportunity to enjoy Europe’s best bands in a truly wonderful concert hall.
The Stravinsky Auditorium offers a wonderful stage for the performers
The musical attractions are just as enticing, with the European Youth Brass Band already hard at work under the baton of Bertrand Moren. They will be giving their first concert on Wednesday evening alongside soloist Gilles Roche.
The first European title to be decided will come on Thursday at the European Composer Competition where works by Stijn Aertgeerts of Belgium (‘Bipolarity’), Daniel Hall of England (‘A Dialogue of Transmogrified Souls’) and Paul Saggers of England (‘Ironbright’) will battle for the 2,500 Euro first prize.
Friday afternoon
After the opening ceremony, press conferences and composer talks, the Championship Section bands take to the stage on Friday afternoon to perform the set-work ‘Dear Cassandra’ by Ludovic Neurohr on Friday afternoon (4.00pm local time).
Saturday morning
It’s an early start on Saturday morning (9.00am local time) for the five bands taking part in the Challenge Section.
1st Old Boys (Northern Ireland), Annan Town (Scotland), Brass Band Regensburg (Germany), Brass LT (Lithuania) and Malaga Brass Band (Spain) will perform the set-work, ‘Terezin’ by Mario Burki as well as their own choice selections as they look to claim the honours.
Saturday afternoon will see the 13 Championship Section contenders return to provide a packed auditorium with their blockbuster own-choice selections – and what pieces they are too.
The Gala Concert and Results Ceremony rounds off what promises to be a long, but highly enjoyable day (starting at 8.30pm local time) before everyone can let their hair down at the Brass Party - and by heck the Swiss know how to enjoy themselves!
Saturday afternoon will see the 13 Championship Section contenders return to provide a packed auditorium with their blockbuster own-choice selections – and what pieces they are too.
The Youth Championships are a great event
Sunday morning
There may be a few people nursing sore heads on Sunday morning – but they should be cleared by what promises to be an outstanding European Youth Championship (9.30am local time).
Hopefully the hall will be packed with supporters as it is a vibrant event that deserves support.
The Development Section will see four bands compete; Elland Silver Youth (England) conducted by Samantha Harrison; Brass Band Aukstyn (Lithuania) led by Piet Visser; Smoras Skolemusikk (Norway) directed by Magnus Brandseth and defending champion Wardle Academy Youth Band (England) under Lee Rigg.
They will be followed by the Premier Section contenders of BML Talents (Switzerland) conducted by Patrick Ottiger, Lions Youth Brass Band (England) led by Nigel Birch, defending champion Youth Brass 2000 (England) conducted by Chris Jeans (above), Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Germany) directed by Patricio Cosentino and Catch Basin Brass Band led by Andreas Lackner.
All that brilliant action should be rounded up by around 3.30pm (local time) with the results part of a Farewell Concert featuring the European Youth Brass Band.
Time table: (All local times)
Thursday 25th April:
8.00pm
European Composers Competition
Friday 26th April:
9.30am
EBBA Press Conference
11.00am
Opening Ceremony
Draw: EBBC Championship Section set-work
Draw: EBBC Challenge Section
3.00pm
EBBC Composers’ talk
4.00pm
EBBA Championship Section set-work
Saturday 27th April:
8.00am
Draw: EBBC Championship Section own-choice
9.00am
EBBC Challenge Section
12.00 noon
EBBC Championship Section own-choice
8.30pm
Gala Concert featuring Valaisia Brass Band and the European Youth Brass Band followed by Results and Awards Ceremony
10.30pm
Brass Party
Sunday 28th April
8.00am
EBBA General Meeting
9.30am
European Youth Brass Band Development Section contest
12.30am
European Youth Brass Premier Section contest
3.30pm
Farewell Concert followed by Awards and Results Ceremony
