*
banner

Swiss rejoice at National return

The Swiss National Championships will take place in Montreux this weekend.

Stravinki
  The contest takes place in Montreux this weekend.

The Swiss National Championships will return this weekend at the Music and Convention Center in Montreux.

54 bands will compete in the six sections of competition at the venue which will be transformed into a Covid-19 bubble over the two days to offer a safe environment for performers, organisers and audience alike.

Only holders of a valid Covid certificate (QR code) will be able to access the 2m2c building.

World Rejoicing

The Championships will begin on Saturday 27th November at the Stravinski Hall (8.30am) with the Second Division bands, followed by the Elite Division. The day will close with the Championship Division bands performing the set-work, 'The World Rejoicing' by Edward Gregson.

Meanwhile, the Miles Davis Hall will host the Fourth Division from 12.30pm, followed by the Third Division.

The results of the Elite, Second, Third and Fourth Division will be announced in the Miles Davis Hall at 10.30pm.

Own choice selections

On Sunday (28th November), the First Division will open proceedings at 9.30am in the Stravinski Hall. It will be followed by the own-choice selections of the Championship Division contenders, with the final set of results announced around 7.00pm.

As always there will be a great deal of interest in the selections which this year will feature 'A Gabrieli Fantasy' (Bert Appermont); 'Two Worlds' (Philip Harper) and 'Glitch' (Daniel Hall).

Added to these are 'A Tale As Yet Untold' (Philip Sparke); 'Audivi Media Nocte' (Oliver Waespi); 'Explorers On The Moon' (Paul Raphael); 'Fraternity' (Thierry Deleruyelle); 'Other Lives' (Oliver Waespi) and 'Realms of Asgard' (Dan Price).

Double hat-trick seekers

Valaisia Brass Band will be looking to make it a 'Double Hat-trick' with an unprecedented sixth successive title in the Blue Riband Championship Division, whilst the Elite Division welcomes two new contenders promoted from 2019 in BML Talents and Brass Band Kirchenmusik Flühli.

Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia, Constellation Brass Band B, Musik Frohsinn Oberburgand Entlebucher Jugend Brass Band will all defend their titles in the other Divisions.

The adjudication panel consists of Ooystein Baadsvik; Jean-Francois Bobillier; Roman Brogli; Remo Capra; Eric Crees; Stephen Cobb; Jan De Haan; Erik Janssen and Thomas Wyss.

Test Pieces:


Championship Division: 'The Word Rejoicing' (Variations on a Lutheran Chorale) (Edward Gregson)
Elite Division: 'La Passuin' (Oliver Waespi)
First Division: 'Bipolarity' (Stjin Aertgeerts)
Second Division: 'Sollicitus' (Fredrick Schjelderup)
Third Division: 'Red Mountain' (Marc Jeanbourquin)
Fourth Division: 'Smoke Sketches' (Daniel Hall)

Excellence Division:


Brass Band Berner Oberland
Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern
Brass Band Fribourg
Brass Band Treize Etoiles
Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien
Ensemble de Cuivres Mélodia
Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan
Liberty Brass Band
Valaisia Brass Band

Elite Division:


BML Talents
Brass Band Eglisau
Brass Band Emmental
Brass Band Fribourg
Brass Band Harmonie Neuenkirch
Brass Band Imperial Lenzburg A-Band
Brass Band Kirchenmusik Fluhli
Brass Band Rickenbach
Ensemble de cuivres Euphonia
Graubunden Brass

First Division:


Brass Band Cazis
Brass Band Konkordia Busserach
Brass Band Lotschental
Brass Band MG Reiden
Brass Band RosAlp
Brass Band Schotz
Brass Band Treize Etoiles 'B'
Ensemble de cuivres Ambitus
mgrr Brass Band
Regional Brass Band Bern
Universal Brass Band Wil

Second Division:


Brass Band Abinchova
Brass Band Berner Oberland Junior
Brass Band Feldmusik Escholzmatt
Brass Band Imperial Lenzburg B
Brass Band Junior Valaisan
Brass Band Munsingen
Brass Band Rapperswil-Wierezwil
Brass band Zurich
Constellation Brass Band B
Liberty Junior
Oberwalliser Brass Band

Third Division:


Brass Band Thurgau
Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien 'B'
Ensemble de Cuivres Melodia 'B'
Jugend Brass Band Michelsamt
MG Richenthal-Langnau
Musik Frohsinn Oberburg
Musikverein Brass Band Henggart
Thunerseebrass

Fourth Division:


Entlebucher Jugend Brass Band
Hinterlander Jugend Brass Band
Jugend Brass Band Oberer Sempachersee
Jugend Brass Band Regionale Musikschule Liestal

More information:


http://www.swissbrass.ch and www.saisonculturelle.ch

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    


ISB and Fodens

Friday night Gregson spotlights

October 10 • You will be spoilt for a Gregson choice between the ISB and Ian Bousfield and Foden's and Mike Lovatt if you are in London this evening.


World of Brass

Make sure you pick up the latest releases at the Albert Hall

October 10 • The World of Brass trade stand will be packed with musical goodies — from the study score of 'Symphony in Two Movements' to the latest releases from Cory, Tredegar, Brett Baker and the ISB.


Edward Gregson

The composer's viewpoint

October 10 • Edward Gregson talks about 'Symphony in Two Movements' to Dr Robert Childs — as well as previewing it on Radio 3 before the contest day itself.


Swiss

What's your National knowledge like?

October 10 • The Swiss brass band website 'Brass Band News' is testing your knowledge of the winners of the National Championship title to see how many you can name in the right years since 1900.


Regent Hall Concerts - Stately Brass Quintet

Friday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Academy Symphonic Brass

Friday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 11 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB S32 1BB


Contest: National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain

Saturday 11 October • The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 14 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Audley Brass

October 10 • Audley Brass (First Section National Finalists 2025) are seeking a first class PRINCIPAL EUPHONIUM. We have some very exciting events coming up including 3 epic beer festival nights and Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest.


Chinnor Silver

October 8 • Our community band is meeting again 11am Monday 13th after completing our first gig.. We would love you to join us.We are a band of mixed abilities and welcome ALL players.. Blowing with us will not impact on your own band and its all free.


Welwyn Garden City Band

October 6 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied Christmas season ahead. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd