Brass Band Willebroek and MD Frans Violet continued their remarkable domination of domestic Belgian banding in winning the National Championship for a 24th time in Heist-op-den-Berg.
With the defence of their European title already secured by victory in Stavanger last May, they showed no signs of losing focus on the task of claiming a hat-trick at the Cultuurcentrum Zwaneberg, as they topped both the set-work and own-choice disciplines for a third consecutive year.
Their superb performances of 'Crazy Twenties' by Thierry Deleruyelle and 'Orpheus & Eurydice', written by their tuba player Stijn Aertgeerts saw them end a clear margin ahead of runner-up Festival Brass Band conducted by Russell Gray, with Noord-Limburgse Brass Band led by Ivan Meylemans in third.
The judges, Jan de Haan, Chris Houlding and Jane Westervik spoke in glowing terms about the winners, whilst Willebroek's acclaimed horn player Tim de Maeseneer took the 'Best Soloist' award.
No loss of appetite
It was further proof, if any was actually needed, that the partnership between Willebroek and their inspirational conductor, who has just enjoyed his 71st birthday, shows no sign of losing its appetite for success.
2026 will now see them attempt to claim a hat-trick of World Championship titles in Kerkrade to add to their incredible list of contesting achievements together, whilst in the past 12 months the duo has also released a series critically acclaimed CDs — the latest 'European Brass '25' showcasing the works that led to their fourth European title in Norway.
Pride
Reflecting on yet another National title success, the band stated: "What an unforgettable weekend. The win fills us with immense pride and is the result of the remarkable dedication of so many people.
Our appreciation also goes to the audience, whose overwhelming presence made this edition feel truly exceptional. We extend our thanks to VLAMO for organising and guiding the event with great professionalism.
They added: "Our congratulations also go to our amazing horn player Tim De Maeseneer, who was awarded the 'Best Soloist' prize and to Stijn Aertgeerts who wrote an incredible new work for us in 'Orpheus & Eurydice', that offered our band a remarkable musical canvas — all directed by our conductor Frans Violet, whose continued dedication year after year leads the band to new success."
Festival success
Festival Brass, who were the last band to beat Willebroek at the contest in 2022, will now join them in representing the nation at the 2026 European Championships in Linz.
Confident and musically engaging under Russell Gray, they produced two excellent renditions of the set-work (aided by their 'Best Percussion Section') and their own-choice of 'Wisdom and Madness' by Klaas Coulembier.
Meanwhile, former champion Noord-Limburgse secured their ninth consecutive podium finish as Ivan Meylemans drew finely considered performances from his players, especially in coming second on the own-choice of Thierry Deleruyelle's 'No Man's Land'.
Behind them Brass Band Leiland was fourth as they showcased 'So Spoke Albion' by Gavin Higgins ahead of Brass Band Heist ('Vienna Nights') and Brassband Buizingen ('Midnight's Butterflies').
Scaldis clear
There was also a clear winner in the First Division as Brassband Scaldis led by Lorenz Havermans topped by the set-work and own-choice elements to secure a fourth National title since 2014.
Their performances of the 2025 European Challenge Section test-piece, 'Embracing Duality' by Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen, and 'Magdalena Bay', by Swiss composer Gauthier Dupertis, which won the 8th European Composer Competition in 2024, secured an impressive victory ahead of former champion Brassband De Grensbewoners Smeermaas, with last year's runner-up, Mercato Brass in third.
Although there were only five bands competing, there was much to enjoy from Braz'Art in fourth, although Brassband Bacchus dropped to fifth in defence of their title.
Ghent and Lige take titles
The sole entrant in the Second Division was Panta Rhie Ghent, who were presented with the title accolade for a fourth consecutive year led by Frank Vantroyen after performing 'Metamorphosis on Finlandia' by Andrew Wainwright and their own-choice of 'Hope' by Dorothy Gates.
Unlike the other sections on the weekend, there was a phot-finish in the Third Division as Brassband Province de Liege led by Albert Vanlacker pipped United Brass conducted by Thomas Mellaerts, after they gained the higher mark on the set-work, 'A Buoy' by Stan Nieuwenhuis.
Former Willebroek principal cornet star Raf van Looveren led Kempenzonen Tielen as they showcased their talents in the Open Division.
What an unforgettable weekend. The win fills us with immense pride and is the result of the remarkable dedication of so many peopleBrassband Willebroek
Results:
Championship Division:
Adjudicators: Jan de Haan; Chris Houlding; Jane Westervik
Set Work: Crazy Twenties (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Set Work/Own Choice = Average Total
1. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet): 96/98 = 97.00*
2. Festival Brass Band (Russell Gray): 95/95 = 95.00**
3. Noordlimburgse Brassband (Ivan Meylemans): 92/96 = 94.00
4. Brass Band Leieland (Sam Werbrouck): 89/94 = 91.50
5. Brass Band Heist (Bert van Thienen): 93/89 = 91.00***
6. Brassband Buizingen (Tijl Verhaeghe): 90/92 = 91.00
7. Brassband Ghent (Hans Goris): 88/90 = 89.00
8. Brassband Zele (Bart van der Strieckt): 86/87 = 86.50
9. Kortrijk Brass Band (Ward de Ketelaere): 85/88 = 86.50
* Brassband Willebroek pre-qualified for 2026 European Championship as defending champion
** Festival Brass qualify for the 2026 European Championship as Belgian representative
*** Set work mark takes precedent
Best Percussion in Set Work: Festival Brass Band
Best Soloist in Own Choice: Tim de Maeseneer (horn) — Brassband Willebroek
First Division:
Adjudicators: Jan de Haan; Chris Houlding; Jane Westervik
Set Work: Embracing Duality (Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen)
Set Work/Own Choice = Average Total
1. Brassband Scaldis (Lorenz Havermans): 91/64 = 92.50
2. Kon. BB de Grensbewoners Smeermaas (Danny Aerden): 90/92 = 91.00
3. Mercator Brass Band (Johan De Win): 89/89 = 89.00
4. Braz'art (Geert Verschaeve): 88/88 = 88.00*
5. Brassband Bacchus (Bart van Neyghem): 87/89 = 88.00
* Set work mark takes precedent
Best Soloist: Mercator Brass Band
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Jan de Haan; Chris Houlding; Jane Westervik
Set Work: Metamorphosis on Finlandia (Andrew Wainwright)
Set Work/Own Choice = Average Total
1. Brassband Panta Rhei (Frank Vantroyen): 88/90 = 89.00
Best Soloist: Flugel (United Brass)
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Jan de Haan; Chris Houlding; Jane Westervik
Set Work: A Buoy (Stan Nieuwenhuis)
Set Work/Own Choice = Average Total
1. Brass Band Province de Liege (Albert Vanlancker): 89/85 = 87.00*
2. United Brass (Thomas Mellaerts): 88/86 = 87.00
* Set work mark takes precedent
Best Soloist: Cornet (United Brass)
Open Division:
Adjudicators: Jan de Haan; Chris Houlding; Jane Westervik
Own choice:
1. Brassband Kempenzonen Tielen (Raf van Looveren): 92.00
Best Soloist: Cornet (Brassband Kempenzonen Tielen)
