The Flemish Open Championships took place in Mechelen in Belgium on the weekend, where Brass Band Willebroek returned to winning ways by taking the A Division title in fine style under the baton of Frans Violet.
Triumphal
Their performance of the set work ‘Triumphal Brass’ by Jan de Haan, and their own choice selection of ‘Rococo Variations’ gave them the title ahead of Festival Brass Band and Linz bound Brass Band Buizingen.
Rising star
In the B Section there was yet another victory for one of Belgian’s fast rising star bands, Brass Band Heist, under the direction of Willebroek soprano star Bert van Thienen.
Their performance of the set work, ‘Fanfare for a Jubilee’ by Jan Hadermann and their own choice selection of ‘Lac Leman’ by Derek Bourgeois gave them a clear victory over rivals Delta Brass Band and Brass Band Leieland in third.
Their performance of the set work ‘Triumphal Brass’ by Jan de Haan, and their own choice selection of ‘Rococo Variations’ gave them the title ahead of Festival Brass Band and Linz bound Brass Band Buizingen4BR
C Division success
The Willebroek dominance continued in the C Division when Frans Violet led Young Brass Band Willebroek to a clear victory with their performance of the set work ‘Bachetto’ by Johan Evenepoel, ahead of second placed Brassband Panta Rhei with Brassband Smeermaas in third.
Grand Slam
The 'Grand Slam' of Willebroek inspired musical excellence was completed in the D Division which was won by KF-Brassband de Kempenzonen Tielen conducted by Willebroek’ principal cornet player Raf Van Looveren on the set work, ‘Curtain Call’ by Peter Meechan.
Results:
A Division:
1. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet)
2. Festival Brassband (Manu Mellaerts)
3. Brassband Buizingen (Luc Vertommen)
4. Noord-Limburgse Brassband (Ivan Meylemans)
5. Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Marco Middelberg)
6. Amsterdam Brass (Pierre Volders)
Adjudicators: Jan Van der Roost, Robert Childs, Jan de Haan, Yves Segers.
B Division:
1. Brassband Heist (Bert van Thienen)
2. Delta Brass Zeeland (Luc Vertommen)
3. Brassband Leieland (Wim Belaen)
4. Brassband Oefening & Uitspanning (Anno Appelo)
5. Brassband Bacchus Lennik (Bart Van Neyghem)
6. Brassband Heman Zeewolde (Sietse Hamersma)
7. Brassband Spijkerpakkenband (Thijs Oud)
8. Brassband Excelsior Kloetinge (Bart van Neyghem)
C Division:
1. Young Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet)
2. Brassband Panta Rhei (Paul Voet)
3. Brassband Smeermaas (Danny Aerden)
4. Borderbrass (Roland Van Buggenhout)
5. Cologne Concert Brass (Heinrich Schmidt)
6. Brassband Gent (Lieven Dobbelaere)
Best Set Piece: Young Brassband Willebroek
D Division
1. KF-Brassband de Kempenzonen Tielen (Raf Van Looveren)
2. KF-Brassband de Kempengalm Vlimmeren (Yvonne Peters)
3. Brassband Burgipja (Jan Rypens)
4. Felison Brass (Alexander Zwaan)
Best Soloist: Kevin Van Giel (euphonium)
