*
banner

Full House for 2023 Dutch Open

There will be a full day of top class brass band contesting to enjoy in Groningen in June as 20 bands from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland battle for the Dutch Open honours.

Dutch Open
  The contest has grown in popularity since moving to Groningen

2023 will see a 'full house' entry of competing bands at the Dutch Open Championships.

Organisers have confirmed that 20 bands will compete in three sections at the event to be held at the De Oosterpoort Concert Hall in Groningen on Saturday 10th June.

4BR was informed that 25 bands had registered to compete, but due to time constraints 20 bands will now take part to accommodate the contest day schedule.

Increase

A spokesperson told 4BR: "In recent years interest in the event has increased enormously and especially since moving to Groningen in 2022.

The city offers so much to visitors, so we hope people take the time to enjoy the great music making and what is on offer. We are delighted that this year we will welcome bands from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland."

The contest will form part of a larger Groningen Brass Experience music festival which will be held from Thursday 8th until Sunday 11th June.

Cross border challenges

The defending Championship Section champion is local favourite Brass Band Groningen, who will be faced with a strong line-up of rivals — including last year's podium finishers De Bazuin Oenkerk and Soli Brass, as well as 2022 Dutch National Champion Brass Band Schoonhoven and Swiss visitors La Concordia Vetroz.

Both 2022 First Section and Second Section winners Mercator Brass Band and Martini Brass Band also return to defend their titles.

More information can be found at: www.groningenbrass.com

Championship Section:

Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Richard Visser)
La Concordia Vetroz (Bertrand Moren)
Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg)
Brass Band Schoonhoven (Erik Janssen)
De Bazuin Oenkerk (Jaap Musschenga)
Brassband De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde)
Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet)

First Section:

Cologne Concert Brass (Heinrich Schmidt)
Chr. Brassband Pro Rege (Anne van den Berg)
Mercator Brassband (Tim De Maeseneer)
Brass Band Kirchenmusik Fluhli (Armin Renggli)
Gloria Dei (Gerk Huisma)
Brassband Kunst naar Kracht (Pieter Koster)
YBB NRW, North Rhine Westphalia (Martin Schädlich)

Second Section:

Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen (Jan Werkman)
Brass Band Duren (Martin Schädlich)
Martini Brassband Groningen (Rieks van der Velde)
Brassband David (Wilbert Zwier)
Brassband Panta Rhei (Tim De Maeseneer)
Brass Band Schoonhoven (Joop Nijholt)

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    


Cory

Last chord for Cory legends

June 30 • The final notes of a decade of unprecedented success have been delivered by Glyn and Helen Williams at Cory Band.


Hepworth

Report & Result: Red Admiral March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 30 • The wizards of Hepworth pick up yet another march and hymn tune victory as they take the inaugural Red Admiral honours.


Crofton

Result: Wetherby Drovers March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 30 • Crofton Silver drive home with the top prize at Wetherby.


Mnozil

Mnozil Brass booked for Symphony Hall in 2027

June 30 • After their memorable performance in Birmingham on the weekend, over 650 tickets have already been snapped up for their 2027 return.


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Billingshurst Carnival

Sunday 29 June • Carnival through Billingshurst and concert at Recreation Ground RH14 9SX


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band are looking for a positive and dynamic leader who can further develop our players skills & aid us in our aspirations of reaching the 1st section.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd