*
banner

Report & Results: 2022 Belgian National Championships

Festival Brass ends 14 year wait for second Belgian National title success as section victories go to BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas and Brasssband Panta Rhei in Heist-op-den-Berg.

Festival Brass Band
  Festival Brass Band celebrate their second National title success

There was an upset at the Belgian National Championships in Heist-op-den-Berg on the weekend as Festival Brass claimed the Blue Riband Championship Division honours for the first time since 2008.

It was only the second time that they had won the contest, as under MD Steven Verhaert they claimed the honours by topping both disciplines to beat defending champion Brassband Willebroek into second place, with Noordlimburgse Brassband in third.

After the cancellation of the National Championships in 2020 and 2021, the band will now represent the nation at the 2023 European Championships in Malmo.

Long wait

Victory ended a long 14 year wait for second title success for a band that was only formed in 2000, although they had come runner-up in 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2019. Earlier this year they came third at the Flemish Open and fifth at the Dutch Open.

Understandably then there were great scenes of celebration as the band was announced as thew new champion after earlier in the day producing a brace of table topping accounts of the set-work, 'The World Rejoicing' by Edward Gregson, followed by their own-choice selection of 'A Gabrieli Fantasy' later in the afternoon.

In addition to the overall title honours, and the 'Best Performance of the Set-Work' prize, their excellent percussion team took the 'Best Percussion' award on the set-work.

Hard work

Speaking on their Facebook page, Festival Brass Band stated: "The hard work of the past weeks, months and even years finally resulted in the National title.

Thank you Steven (MD) for leading us to the overall victory, winning both the set-test and own-choice piece by a clear margin. Congratulations to our amazing soloists for being so incredible.

For the first time in 14 years we will be heading to the Europeans again!"

No Willebroek success

There was to be no 22nd title success for the defending champion, as Brassband Willebroek ended runner-up for the first time since 2016 — their own-choice of 'A Gabrieli Fantasy' only managing to be placed third behind the winner and rivals Noordlimburgse (who performed 'Journey of the Lone Wolf').

Both bands ended on the same overall points, but Willebroek's higher set-work score took precedent.

Brass Band Heist equalled their best ever finish to end in fourth place overall thanks to a well worked own-choice account of 'Audivi, Media, Nocte', with former champions Brassband Buizingen in fifth and Kortrijk Brass Band in sixth.

First Division victory

In the First Division there was victory for BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas conducted by Danny Aerden, as they continued their rise through the sections.

Having made their debuts in 2003, they have now won a fifth National title under their inspirational MD — adding to the Third and Second titles won in 2004, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Their performance of the colourful set-work 'From San Marco Quarter' proved crucial as it enabled them to pip rivals and former champion Brassband Bacchus after their tied on points following their own-choice selections of 'A King's Lie' (Stan Niewenhuis) and 'Amundsen' (Jonathan Bates) respectively.

Third place went to Mercator Brass Band who performed 'Excalibur' by Jan van der Roost as their own-choice selection.

Second Division

Although there was only one entry in the Second Division (no none in the Third this year) a well worked account of 'Compostela' by Thierry Deleruyelle, plus their own-choice of 'Flower Friction' by Lode Violet gave Brass Band Panta Rhei the honours.

The hard work of the past weeks, months and even years finally resulted in the National titleFestival Brass Band

Results:
Championship Division:

Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Sheona Wade; Joop van Dijk; Florent Didier
Set-Work: The World Rejoicing (Variations on a Lutheran Chorale) (Edward Gregson)
Set-Work/Own-Choice = Total

1. Festival Brass Band (Steven Verhaert): 291/291 = 582 (97.00%)
2. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet): 288/285 = 573 (95.50%)*
3. Noordlimburgse Brassband (Raf Van Looveren): 285/288 = 573 (95.50%)
4. Brass Band Heist (Bert van Thienen): 279/279 = 558 (93.00%)
5. Brassband Buizingen (Michel Leveugle): 270/276 = 546 (91.00%)
6. Kortrijk Brass Band (Ward de Ketelaere): 273/270 = 543 (90.50%)
7. Brassband Zele (Bart Van Der Strieckt): 276/264 = 540 (90.00%)*
8. Brass Band Leieland (Allan Withington): 267/273 = 540 (90.00%)
9. Brassband Ghent (Luc Vertommen): 264/267 = 531 (88.50%)

Best Performance of Set Work: Festival Brass Band
Best Percussion: Festival Brass Band
Best Soloist on Own Choice: Yvonne Peters (flugel) — Brassband Willebroek


First Division:

Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Sheona Wade; Joop van Dijk
Set-Work: From San Marco Quarter (Joop van Dijk)
Set-Work/Own-Choice = Total

1. BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas (Danny Aerden): 282/282 = 564 (94.00%)*
2. Brassband Bacchus (Bart Van Neyghem): 279/285 =564 (94.00%)
3. Mercator Brass Band (Johan De Win): 276/279 = 555 (92.50%)
4. Brass band Scaldis (Yves Wuyts): 267/267 = 534 (89.00%)
5. Braz'Art (Geert Verschaeve): 264/264 = 528 (88.00%)


Second Division:

Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Sheona Wade; Joop van Dijk
Set-Work: Compostela (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Set-Work/Own-Choice = Total

1. Brasssband Panta Rhei (Tim de Maeseneer): 283/285 = 568 (94.67%)

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    


Cheltenham

Cheltenham judges confirmed

July 25 • The judges tasked with picking the winners at the 2025 Cheltenham National Finals have been announced.


Sold Out

National Youth Band sells out in London

July 25 • Its returns only if you wish to enjoy the NYBBGB in London next month with tickets going fast for the Childrens' Band too.


Italian Brass Band

Italian Brass Band continues to reach out to new audiences

July 25 • The Italian Band was joined by trombone soloist Andrea Conti for a festival performances in heart of Tuscany.


NYBBS

Perth ready for trio of NYBBS music makers

July 25 • Perth Concert Hall will host the trio of National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland later today — so if you are around why not pop along and enjoy them showcasing their talents.


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Dobcross Silver Band - Marsden Silver Prize Band

Sunday 27 July • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

July 25 • Ready for a NEW Music Challenge?. . Dodworth Brass Band, is looking for a new principal cornet as our current player prepares for retirement. Just 5mins from J37 M1. . friendly welcoming band with a packed calendar of exciting concerts & events. . . S75 3RF


Enderby Band

July 24 • Enderby Band (Leicestershire) are a Championship section band looking for: Bb BASS & PERCUSSION (expressions of interest from any perc disciplines are welcome). We are an ambitious, friendly, band with a sensibly full calendar of contests and concerts.


The Marple Band

July 24 • Cornet( back row), Baritone, Horn, Bb Bass and Kit percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new musical journey with our MD Nick Birch.


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd