The 36th Belgium National Championship took place in Heist-op-den-Berg, where 15 bands competed in four sections at the Cultural Centre Zwaneberg.

Reigning champion Brass Band Willebroek under Frans Violet retained their Championship Section title, winning it for 19th time in claiming their place as Belgium's representatives at the 2015 European Championships in Freiburg.

Outstanding performances

The band gave a brace of outstanding performances of the set work, ‘Electra’ by Martin Ellerby and their own choice selection of ‘Journey of the Lone Wolf’ by Simon Dobson to clinch the trophy, Euro qualification and a prize package worth over €6,000.

Second place for a second successive year went to Brass Band Buizingen directed by Luc Vertommen. They led after the set work discipline, but failed to hold on with their performance of Philip Wilby’s ‘Revelation’.

2001 Noord Limburgse Brass Band conducted by Ian Meylemans was third, as they pushed the top two bans all the way with their consistent performances, including their own choice selection of ‘REM-scapes’ by Thomas Doss.

Lower Divisions:

Although there were only four competitors in the First Division, a high quality contest saw Brass Band Scaldis directed by former Willebreok principal cornet Raf Van Looveren take the title and the prize package worth over €3,600.

It was the band’s third consecutive national success — from Third Section to First since 2012, as they overcame the strong challenge of rivals Brassband Panta Rhei, who led after the performance of the set work, ‘In Memoriam RK’ by Elgar Howarth. Defending champion, Brassband Bacchus directed by Bart Van Neyghem was third.

In the Second Division a two way battle saw Braz'Art directed by Geert Verschaeve claim a clear cut victory over rivals Brassband Euterpe led by Roland Van Buggenhout, as classy renditions of the set work, ‘Evolution — Five States of Change’ by Philip Sparke and their own choice selection of ‘Royal Parks’ saw them comfortably take the €400 first prize.

There was something of a walk over in the Third Division, as the sole competitor, Kon. BB De Grensbewoners directed by Danny Aerden took the €300 first prize with solid performances of the set work, ‘Parnasus’ by Jan Van der Roost and their own choice selection, ‘Arkansas’ by Jacob de Haan to also gain promotion to the Second Division in 2015.

The event, which was being held in Heist for the first time was organised by Vlamo, the Flemish Association of non-professional Music Bands & Musicians.

The band gave a brace of outstanding performances to clinch the trophy, Euro qualification and a prize package worth over €6,0004BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Set Work: Electra (Martin Ellerby) out of 300 + Own Choice out of 300 = % Total
Adjudicators: John Doyle, Philip Sparke, Tom Brevik

1. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet): 276/294 = 95.00%
2. Brassband Buizingen (Luc Vertommen): 279/282 = 93.50%
3. Noord-Limburgse Brassband (Ivan Meylemans): 273/285 = 93.00%
4. Festival Brass Band (Benny Wiame): 264/276 = 90.00%
5. Brass Band Heist (Bert Van Thienen): 267/270 = 89.50%
6. Brassband Zele (Bart Van Der Strieckt): 261/273 = 89.00%
7. Brass Band Leieland (Wouter Loose): 258/267 = 89.00%
8. Kortrijk Brass Band (Ward De Ketelaere): 255/264 = 87.50%

First Division:
Set Work: In Memoriam RK (Elgar Howarth)

1. Brassband Scaldis (Raf Van Looveren): 267/276 = 90.50%
2. Brassband Panta Rhei (Frans-Aert Burghgraef): 270/267 = 89.50%
3. Brassband Bacchus (Bart Van Neyghem): 261/261 = 87.00%
4. Brassband Gent (Lieven Dobbelaere): 255/258 = 85.50%

Second Division:
Set Work: Evolution — Five States of Change (Philip Sparke)

1. Braz'Art (Geert Verschaeve): 270/273 = 90.50%
2. Brassband Euterpe (Roland Van Buggenhout): 264/264 = 88.00%

Third Division:
Set Work: Parnasus (Jan Van der Roost)
1. Kon. BB De Grensbewoners (Danny Aerden): 276/267 = 90.50%