The first National Championship of 2016 will take place this weekend in Lille, when 16 bands will battle for the honours at the 12th French National Championship.

The contesting takes place over two days with the newly declared champion representing France at the 2017 European Championships in Ostend.

Reigning champion

For the last four years it has been the hugely impressive Paris Brass Band that has lifted the rather unique National Trophy (above) — although once again they will come under pressure from high-class rivals Brass Band du Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Aeolus Brass Band.

The Championship bands will perform the set-work plus their own choice selections.

Euro venue

The venue is the wonderfully refurbished l'Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle where also the 39th European Brass Band Championship will be held at the end of April.

The Gala Concert this year will be performed by the reigning Great Britain National Champion and Brass in Concert winners, Cory, under the baton of Philip Harper — giving the Welsh band a great opportunity to showcase their excellence ahead of their return here for the Europeans.

Live comments

4BR Editor Iwan Fox has also made the trip once again from South Wales to cover the event — with live comments, tweets and images on the performances throughout the weekend.

For the last four years it has been the hugely impressive Paris Brass Band that has lifted the rather unique National Trophy4BR

Set Works:

Championship (Honneur) Division: Of Distant Memories (Edward Gregson)

Excellence Division: Brass Triumphant (Gareth Wood)

First Division: The Kingdom of Dragons (Philip Harper)

Second Division: Hollywood! (Goff Richards)

Third Division: A Devon Fantasy (Eric Ball)

Adjudicators:

The adjudicators team comprises Garry Cutt (England), Bertrand Moren (Switzerland) and Gildas Harnois (France).

The Third, Second and First Divisions will perform on Saturday 16th with the Excellence and Honneur Divisions on Sunday 17th.

Competing bands:

Championship (Honneur) Division:

Paris Brass Band
Brass Band du Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Aeolus Brass Band

Excellence Division:

Brassage Brass Band
Brass Band des Hauts de Flandres
Brass Band de Toulouse
Brass Band du Conservatoire de Douai

First Division:

Brass Band Atout Vent
Brass Band de Champagne
Orchestre de Cuivres d'Amiens

Second Division:

Brass Band du CRR de Toulouse
Brass Band de la Cote Picarde

Third Division:

Brass Band du Hainaut
Brass Band de Roncq
Ch'ti Brass
Brass Band Musicalis Algrange

For more details: http://www.brassband.cmf-musique.org