British Bandsman Features Editor, Paul Hindmarsh, is to host a free European Brass Forum at the forthcoming championships in Rotterdam.

Panel

He will be joined on the international panel by speakers Viggo Bjørge (Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag, Norway), Joe Cassells (EBBA Music Commission, Northern Ireland) and Andrew Duncan (Development Manager Scottish Brass Band Association) to discuss the development, regeneration and sustainability of a brass band culture in various parts of Europe.

Culture

Paul told 4BR: “Over the past few years the European Championships have visited countries where the sound of the brass band is new, such as Austria, as well as those where the culture has matured very quickly, like Norway.

In two years time, it returns to Scotland, where the regeneration of brass band participation, supported by the Scottish government, has been a huge success.”

The Forum will examine how the brass band culture was planted and sustained in Norway, the challenges faced in Northern Ireland, the progress made in Austria and the regeneration of banding in ScotlandPaul Hindmarsh

Challenges

He added: "With presentations from established and emerging brass band nations, the Forum will examine how the brass band culture was planted and sustained in Norway, the challenges faced in Northern Ireland, the progress made in Austria and the regeneration of banding in Scotland."

Date and Time

The Forum is to be held in the De Doelen concert hall on Friday 4th May at 10.00am.