The European Brass Band Association has announced a trio of new appointments.

Vice-President and Music Commission

Matt Piller of Switzerland (above) will become the new European Contest Controller. He succeeds Michael Zoppas who was elected EBBA Vice-President at the organisation's Annual General Meeting in Freiburg.

Meanwhile, the highly respected Paul Hindmarsh has become a member of the EBBA Music Commission. The Englishman replaces Preben Norgaard Christensen from Denmark, who tragically died following a road accident earlier this year.

Delighted

EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg told 4BR: "Matt currently undertakes the same role with the Swiss Brass Band Association is a leading figure in the
organisation of their highly successful National Championship held in Montreux each year.

We are also delighted that a musician of Paul's stature will be joining the Music Commission. As well as having a great knowledge of brass band repertoire, his work as a performer, producer, publisher and editor, makes him the right person to fill this important role."

Matt currently undertakes the same role with the Swiss Brass Band Association is a leading figure in the organisation of their highly successful National Championship held in Montreux each yearUlf Rosenberg

Youth Band conductor

Ulf also informed 4BR that following Brass Band Buizingen's recent victory at the Belgian National Championship, conductor Luc Vertommen will no longer be available to led the European Youth Brass Band (EYBB) in Lille.

The French organisers of the 2016 Championships have therefore appointed the popular Dutch conductor Erik Janssen.

Ulf added: "We are proud to have such an excellent conductor to take over the responsibility for the prestigious European Youth Brass Band."