The 38th Dutch National Championships (NBK) take place this weekend at the Tivolivredenburg in Utrecht — the venue which hosted a highly successful European Championship earlier this year.

The excellent facilities, warm welcome and slick organisation is added to by the unique acoustic atmosphere in the main Grote Zaal auditorium — one which all the 40 bands should enjoy, but should also be wary of.

Old Licks

The Championship Division promises to be keenly contested, with defending champion De Waldsang up against a strong field of challengers — and all faced with the sternest of tests in Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's demanding 'Old Licks Bluesed Up'.

Written in 2010 for Manger Musikklag and revised in 2011, the three linked movements connect the music to the past and the baroque through the prism of the 'licks' of blues, rock and jazz.

Whoever catches the ears of Florent Didier, Arsene Duc and Ray Farr in box will not only crowned champion, but will represent the nation at the 2019 European Championships in Montreux.

Classic Ball

Eric Ball's classic 'High Peak' will also provide a daunting ascent of ambition in the First Division — written 50 years ago, but still a test-piece that requires crampons and safety ropes thanks to its deceptive, elegant treachery.

Meanwhile, defending champion Excelsior will be looking to claim a sixth title since 2009 in the Second Division, as eight bands tackle Philip Sparke's 'The Town Beneath the Cliff', whilst 'Viking Age' by Thierry Deleruyelle is the colourful set-work in the Third Division, where Looft den Heer will look to defend its crown.

Old and new

The balance between something new and something old is maintained in the Fourth Division where adjudicators Sheona White, John Doyle and Luuk Tuinstra (in the box for the Second, Third and Fourth Division contests) will have to compare and contrast the performances of 'Second Suite in F' by Gustav Holst — led by defending champion Immanuel, who will be seeking a hat-trick of National titles wins.

The action starts on Friday afternoon (26th October) when the Fourth Division kicks off at 2.30pm (local time), followed by the Third Division.

There is an early start on Saturday (27th October) with the Second Division starting at 10.00am (local time) followed by the First and Championship Section (starting around 7.00pm).

4BR Editor Iwan Fox will be in Utrecht to bring you our live coverage of the action as it unfolds, so keep an eye out.

The Championship Division promises to be keenly contested, with defending champion De Waldsang up against a strong field of challengers — and all faced with the sternest of tests in Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen's demanding 'Old Licks Bluesed Up'4BR

Competing bands

Championship Division:

Set-work: Old Licks Bluesed Up (Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen)
Adjudicators: Florent Didier; Arsene Duc; Ray Farr

Amsterdam Brass (Paul van Gils)
Brassband Rijnmond (Erik van de Kolk)
Brassband Schoonhoven A (Ivan Meylemans)
De Bazuin (Klaas van der Woude)
De Spijkerpakkenband (Erik Janssen)
De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde)
Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Richard Visser)
Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg)

First Division:

Set-work: High Peak (Eric Ball)
Adjudicators: Florent Didier; Arsene Duc; Ray Farr

Brassband Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage)
Brassband Breukelen (Syde van der Ploeg)
Excelsior Zalk (Rieks van der Velde)
Gloria Dei (Jaap Musschenga)
Kunst naar Kracht (Pieter Koster)
Oefening en Uitspanning (Anno Appelo)
Pro Rege Heerenveen (Anne van den Berg)

Second Division:

Set-work: The Town Beneath the Cliff (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Sheona White; John Doyle; Luuk Tuinstra

Brassband Schoonhoven B (Paul van Dalen)
Constantijn Huygens (Richard Visser)
De Bazuin B (Sietse Hamersma)
De Lofklank (Gerk Huisma)
Euphonia (Hendry van Loo)
Excelsior (Gijs Heusinkveld)
Gereformeerde Brassband (Jan Werkman)
Martini Brassband (Rieks van der Velde)

Third Division:

Set-work: Viking Age (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Adjudicators: Sheona White; John Doyle; Luuk Tuinstra

Apollo (Piet Visser)
Backum Brass (Vincent Verhage)
Blaast de Bazuin (Theun van Leijen)
De Nije Bazun (Jaap Wils)
Greidebrass (Marco Middelberg)
Immanuel (Jan Werkman)
Kunst en Vriendschap (Henk van Loon)
Looft den Heer (Gijs Heusinkveld)

Fourth Division:

Set-work: Second Suite in F (Gustav Holst)
Adjudicators: Sheona White; John Doyle; Luuk Tuinstra

Blaast de Bazuin (Piet Visser)
Concordia (Gouke Gerben Wielenga)
De Bazuin (Hille van Hijum)
Euphonia (Chris van der Veen)
Felison Brass (Alan Gibson)
Halleluja (Ido Gerard Kempenaar)
Pro Rege B (Martine Reijenga)
Soli Deo Gloria (Titus van der Woude)
UDI (Johan Postma)