Members of the Executive Committee of the European Brass Band Association (EBBA) recently visited Utrecht in The Netherlands at the invitation of the Utrecht Convention Bureau, where the city presented its candidature to host the 2018 European Brass Band Championships.

Bid

The bid to host the event was presented to EBBA earlier this year and underlines Utrecht’s ambition to become the European Capital of Culture in 2018 as well as their plans to develop into a leading amateur music centre in years to come.

The EBBA delegation was welcomed at an official reception at Utrecht City Hall by Alderman for Culture Frits Lintmeijer, before visiting the Station Area Information Centre, where Managing Director Nanette Ris of Vredenburg Music Centre showcased the new Muziekpaleis (Music Palace) complex.

Symphony Hall

Due to open in 2014, the complex (above) is divided into five halls, with the main 1,700 seat Symphony Hall the intended central location for the Championship.

Prior to the delegation’s own meeting at the iconic Dom Tower, the visit concluded with a cruise of the Utrecht canals, where Toerisme Utrecht Managing Director Ronald Trum spoke about the options the city can accommodate in hosting international music festivals.

Perfect location

"Utrecht is the perfect location for a large cultural event such as the European Brass Band Championships," Marketing Manager Michiel van der Schaaf told 4BR.

"The city is located centrally in the Netherlands, is easily accessible and offers visitors competitive prices and fine quality in accommodation and facilities."

Musical tradition

He pointed out that Utrecht has a long musical tradition with many choirs, orchestras and high-profile events, such as the Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival (International Chamber Music Festival) and the Festival Oude Muziek (Festival of Old Music).

He added: "In addition, Utrecht has the infrastructure in which the Conservatorium, the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (School of Fine Art) and the Kunstfactor Sector Institute play an important role. The New Cool Collective was recently welcomed successfully here."

Utrecht is the perfect location for a large cultural event such as the European Brass Band ChampionshipsMarketing Manager Michiel van der Schaaf

Allure

With the new music palace, Van der Schaal believes Utrecht will have a culture complex of international allure.

"This suits our ambition to become the European Capital of Culture in 2018. But apart from this, it functions as a stepping stone for other developments, such as developing Utrecht into an important centre of European amateur music," he added.

He concluded: "By attracting more musical organisations and prestigious events such as the European Brass Band Championship we intend to make considerable headway with this in the short-term, and with as many other parties as possible."