The Dutch Open Championship takes place this weekend (Sunday 14th June) as part of five days of brass related music making Groningen Brass Experience festival from 11th to the 15th June.

Three Sections

20 bands compete in three sections at the De Oosterport Concert Hall where they will each perform a 30-minute programme.

There are generous prize packages in each section with an overall Champion prize for the best programme from all participants. The organisers have told 4BR that over 60 different works will be heard.

Defending champion

Brass Band Schoonhoven returns to defend its title against a strong field of competitors.

These include the 2024 Dutch National Champion De Waldsang and 2023 Swiss Elite Division winner, Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia
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.

After the contest a special after-party will take place to support Brass for Africa. This is a group of eight musicians representing the charity will be visiting the event.

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Russell Gray; Les Neish; Senne La Mela

Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia
Soli Brass
Provinciale Brassband Groningen
De Bazuin Oenkerk
Brass Band Schoonhoven A
De Waldsang

First Section:

Adjudicators: Russell Gray; Les Neish; Senne La Mela

1st Old Boys Band
Cologne Concert Brass
Brassband Breukelen
Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning
Brassband Pro Rege
Chr. Brassband Excelsior
Young Brassband Willebroek

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Mike Kilroy; Dick Bolt; Francisco Manuel Anguas Rodriguez

Greidebrass
Backum Brass
Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen
Brass Band Duren
Brassband Immanuel
Brassband Excelsior
Brass Band Schoonhoven B

Concert performances

In addition to the contest there will be concert performances over the five days from Brass for Africa, percussion quartet Elbtonal, the Southbrass Ensemble and trumpet soloist Matilda Lloyd.