The organisers of the Dutch National Championships (NBK) have said that they are "incredibly pleased", that despite the growing financial challenges faced by bands, the 45th edition of the event later this year has attracted an increase in competitive numbers.

40 bands (up 2 from 2025) have registered to compete on the weekend of Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht.

Incredibly pleased

NBK Foundation Chairperson Ale Nicolai told 4BR: "As a board we are incredibly pleased with this impressive number of bands. Despite the ongoing budget cuts to the cultural sector and bands struggling to stay afloat, this gives us hope.

With fantastic works by mainly Dutch composers, we are looking forward to an interesting and exciting weekend at the end of October!"

Top section discussions

The news also follows discussions between the NBK and Championship Division bands about the possibility of introducing an extra own-choice element into their category.

This also considered inviting a limited number of them to perform two works in a separate contest to decide the nation's European Championship representative.

However, with concerns over organisational challenges, extra band preparation (players are allowed to perform with bands in different sections) and finances that may arise, NBK stated that this was not feasible, with just two of the nine bands in favour of some sort of change.

Clear

Chairperson Ale Nicolai added: "Objections to the introduction of a choice work that the bands mention are practical, organizational and, not unimportant, financial in nature. What the bands want is clear."

Ticket sales for the 45th NBK Championships start on October 1st.

Competitors:
Championship Division:

Altena Brass
Brass Band Schoonhoven A
Brassband De Bazuin Oenkerk
Brassband De Waldsang
Brassband Rijnmond
Brassband de Spijkerpakkenband
Provinciale Brassband Groningen
Soli Brass

First Division:

Brassband Amersfoort
Brassband Breukelen
Brassband Gloria Dei
Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning
Brassband Pro Rege A
Chr. Brassband Excelsior
Kunst naar Kracht

Second Division:

Backum Brass
Brass Band Schoonhoven B
Brassband De Bazuin B
Brassband Looft den Heer
CMV Euphonia
Chr. Brassband Excelsior
De Lofklank
Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen
Greidebrass
Martini Brassband

Third Division:

Apollo
Blaast de Bazuin
Brass band Nuenen
Brassband Heman
Brassband Kunst & Vriendschap
De Nije Bazun
Koperensemble de Waldsang

Fourth Division:

Alkmaar Brass
Bernlef
Blaast de Bazuin
Brassband Pro Rege B
Brassband UDI
Brassband Wirdum
Chr. Brassband Westersweach
SDG de Tike