*
banner

Four nation battle for Willebroek Blue Riband prize

26 players from four European nations will battle for the major solo competition honours in the Willebroek Solo Championships.

wILLEBROEK
  The competition has attracted players from across Europe

The line-up of 26 players who will compete for the Blue Riband 'Over 19 Years of Age' category in the Willebroek Solo Championships has been announced.

A spokesperson told 4BR that they had been thrilled by both the quality and number of entrants and look forward to receiving as many entries in the Under 19 category (closing date October 22nd) and that a number came from prominent conservatoires and music institutions as well as individual brass bands and wind orchestras.

Brass Band Willebroek is also very pleased that several prominent schools, orchestras and bands from these countries are encouraging their musicians to participate.

Four countries

Players from four European countries will be represented — Netherlands, United Kingdom, France and Belgium.

The live-streamed final will take place on November 22nd at the Municipal Theater of Willebroek — or our live stream — for a fantastic musical event!

Finalists:


Toon Debaye (Noordlimburgse Brassband) — Euphonium
Thomas Van Beersel (Mechels Harmonie Orkest VZW) — Euphonium
Luuk Janssen (Heide Echo) — Trombone
Sander Vermeersch (Koninklijke Fanfare Tenierskring) — Trombone
Simon Van den Eede (Brassband Willebroek) — Cornet
Jonas Violet (Brassband Willebroek) — Euphonium
Clément Couty (Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon) — Euphonium
Gerbrich Greidanus (Prins Claus Conservatorium Groningen, Soli Brass) — Euphonium
Tom De Laet (Koninklijke Fanfare Tenierskring, Academie Muziek en Woord Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe & Ukkel) — Euphonium
Nikki De Raes (Brassband Willebroek) — Cornet
Danieke Faber (Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Brassband Rijnmond) — Euphonium
Vito De Coster (Brassband Schoonhoven) — Euphonium
Aurélien Roussel (Conservatoire De Paris Cnsmdp, Paris Brassband) — Euphonium
Lina Van Lint (Brassband Willebroek) — Horn
Drik Vanmanshoven (LUCA School of Arts) — Trombone
Dirk Vincken (Brassband De Spijkerpakkenband) — Cornet
Erwin Dijkstra (Soli Brass Leeuwarden) — Bass Trombone
Hannah Platt (Rothwell Temperance Band) — Baritone
Frank Bos (Provinciale Brassband Groningen) — Horn
Rousseau Sébastien (Brassband Buizingen) — Horn
Lieven Dobbelaere (Mago Gent, Brassband Gent, KM De Neerschelde) — Cornet
Anne-Sophie Leveugle (Brassband Willebroek) — Cornet
Lorenz Havermans (Noordlimburgse Brassband) — Euphonium
Robert Ernest (Provinciale Brassband Groningen) — Cornet
Luc Geraats (Noordlimburgse Brassband) — Eb Bass
Wim Matheeuwese (Brassband Willebroek) — Bass Trombone

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    


Chrsitmas Quiz

Last chance to enter the 4BR Christmas Quiz

December 31 • If you want to try and win a Prodige cornet and mutes for a young player in your band, then fire up your little grey banding brain cells one last time in 2025.


Yorkshire

Yorkshire youth to get generational boost of confidence

December 31 • The Next Generation of players from bands in the four counties of Yorkshire will be able to gain inspiration from Black Dyke Band star players.


Essence of Time

Nearly time to capture some of Tredegar's essence

December 30 • There is still time to win a workshop with Martyn Brabbins, Peter Moore, Gavin Higgins, Ian Porthouse, Dewi Griffiths, Sion Jones and more...


Roger

Webster and Rushworth to help life-long friend

December 30 • Roger Webster and Billy Rushworth will join forces with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band to help raise urgent funds for the cancer treatment of a former colleague.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd