Metropole Brass Band, one of the leading top flight bands in Belgium has decided to close its rehearsal doors for a last time following problems in securing enough committed players to join them.

High standard

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We’ve always tried to perform to a very high standard, and so it has been necessary to fill vacancies with committed, high quality players. Since these vacancies have not been filled the current members of the band have come to the conclusion that there is no use in continuing to work like this."

They added: "We would like to thank all our sponsors, patrons, friends, musicians, music fans, in short, everybody who cared deeply for Metropole Brass Band for the years of support and friendship they have provided us."

New wave

Since their formation in 2000, Metropole had become one of the new wave of leading top section Belgian bands – moving up through the domestic rankings by securing two lower section National titles along the way under the direction of MD, Guy Audenaert.

In 2006 they were runner up in the Championship Section of the Belgian National Championships, coming third the following year.

Naturally we would also like to thank all the members of the band for the beautiful times we’ve shared during rehearsals, competitions, concerts and all other kinds of musicalMetropole Brass Band

Podium finishes

They also claimed podium finishes at the Euro Brass Contest and Flemish Open, whilst they competed twice at the All England Masters, securing a top ten finish in 2010.

However, in the past couple of years they have been unable to claim further prizes, coming 8th at both Euro Brass and Belgian Nationals in 2011.

Thanks

Their spokesperson added: "Naturally we would also like to thank all the members of the band for the beautiful times we’ve shared during rehearsals, competitions, concerts and all other kinds of musical moments. We also want to emphasize that Metropole has always been a band who thrived on friendship.

Finally we would also like to thank our conductor Guy Audenaert for all the musical highlights we got to experience under his guidance. Not only his drive, work ethics and motivation, but also his musical leadership have been a great source of inspiration for the band members."