*
banner

French National Championship test pieces announced

Oliver Waespi's majestic test piece leads the works to be played at the 2025 French National Championships.

French
  The Championships take place in Metz in 2025

The Confederation Musicale de France (CMF) which runs the French National Brass Band Championships has announced the list of set-works that will be used at the 20th Championship event in Metz on the weekend of the 15th & 16th February 2025.

The event will be held at the City's Congress Centre hosted by the local CMF Moselle and Lorraine organisers

Waespi test

The Championships Section level Honneurs Division bands will perform Oliver Waespi's 'As if a voice were in them...', his creative reflection of the 'nameless force' that dictates the majestic beauty of the topography of the high Swiss Alps and its power to draw deep into a man's soul.

Jonathan Bates of Foden's Band will provide the Division 1 work, 'Out of the storm clouds' with works by Roger Deronge, Philip Harper and Stephan Hodel will test the bands in the other sections.

The defending Division Honneur champion is Hauts de France.

Set Works:

Division Honneur: As if a Voice were in them (Oliver Waespi)
Division 1: Out of the storm clouds (Jonathan Bates)
Division 2: In Flanders Fields (Roger Deronge)
Division 3: 20000 Leagues under the Sea (Philip Harper)
Division 4: Argos (Stephan Hodel)

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    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


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.


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd