*
banner

Trance and a lonely Mafia boss to test bands in Belgium this year

The 2015 European Composer Competition winning entry 'L'Effet Divers' by Stan Nieuwenhuis will test the First Section contenders at the Belgian National Championship — as set works are announced.

Stan
 

Stan Nieuwenhuis' 2015 European Composer Competition winning entry, 'L'Effet Divers' has been chosen as the First Division set-work for the Belgian National Championships in November.

Surreal

The composer's work (above) comprises four movements, which each referring to unrelated news stories of a bizarre and surreal nature that captured the imagination of social media around the world. It proved to be a popular winner of the Composer Competition in Freiburg in May.

Inventive and darkly witty, the first movement is inspired by a domestic dispute that increasingly gets out of hand — resulting in the burying of one of the protagonist's cars.

It is followed by the sad story of an elderly man who forgets his bearings whilst driving around London — eventually being stopped by the Police after covering 3,000 kilometres in three days.

The third movement recalls a bizarre tale of the effects of loneliness, as a wanted Mafioso boss longs for prison so that he can finally enjoy the company of other human beings.

It is rounded off by the story of a rich banker who leaves all his wealth on his death to the small village he grew up in so that they can plant a million flowers each year in his memory.

High standard

EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg told 4BR: "EBBA is proud that Stan's composition has been chosen by the selection committee of VLAMO for the First Division at the Belgian National Championship.

We believe it reflects the very high standard of the compositions that were considered and performed in Freiburg."

the third movement recalls a bizarre tale of the effects of loneliness, as a wanted Mafioso boss longs for prison so that he can finally enjoy the company of other human beings4BR

Trance

It was also announced that 'Trance' by Thomas Doss will be the Championship Section set work, with 'Variations on a Swiss Folk Song' by Philip Sparke in the Second Division and 'Partita' by Edward Gregson in the Third.

Set Works:

Championship Section: Trance (Thomas Doss)
First Division: L'Effet Divers (Stan Nieuwenhuis)
Second Division: Variations on a Swiss Folk Song (Philip Sparke)
Third Division: Partita (Edward Gregson)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


NYBBGB

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd