A full complement of 20 bands from five countries will compete at this year's Dutch Open Championships in Groningen.
The event forms part of the larger Groningen Brass Experience, a five-day festival of performances, educational activities and arts collaborations in the historic Dutch city which hosted the European Championships in 2005.
It includes a concert by the North Netherlands Orchestra with an ensemble from Brass for Africa, as well as a composite Youth Orchestra, Elbtonal and Southbrass.
30 minute programmes
Competing bands at the De Oosterport Concert Hall will have to perform a 30-minute programme with generous prize packages for bands and soloists in each section. In addition, there is an overall Champion prize for the best programme of all participants.
Brass Band Schoonhoven returns to defend its title against a strong field of competitors, including 2024 Dutch National Champion De Waldsang, 2023 Swiss Elite Division winner, Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia, and 2024 UK First Section National Champion, Northop Silver.
Bands from Germany (Brass Band Duren, Cologne Concert Brass), Belgium (Young Brassband Willebroek) and Northern Ireland (1st Old Boys) also take part in the other sections.
Competing Bands:
Championship Section:
Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia
Northop Silver Band
Soli Brass
Provinciale Brassband Groningen
De Bazuin Oenkerk
Brass Band Schoonhoven A
De Wâldsang
First Section:
1st Old Boys Band
Cologne Concert Brass
Brassband Breukelen
Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning
Brassband Pro Rege
Chr. Brassband Excelsior
Young Brassband Willebroek
Second Section:
Greidebrass
Backum Brass
Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen
Brass Band Duren
Brassband Immanuel
Brassband Excelsior