It was the sound of joyful Swiss celebrations that were heard in Kerkrade after Brass Band Treize Etoiles became Champion of the World.

They quickly replaced the gasps of disbelief from the audience at the Roda Hall as the marks for the top two bands were read out prior to the announcement of the 2026 winner. Victory (and a cheque for 4,000 Euro) may have been claimed by the narrowest of margins following a titanic battle with hat-trick seeking Brass Band Willebroek, yet it was still clearly deserved.

Class apart

The 0.04 photo-finish distance after two days of the highest quality competitive music making meant that it was MD Frederic Theodoloz and his players who swung the huge Concert Division winner's flag with national pride in regaining a title last won in 2005.

Few who heard the series of performances from all ten bands on the set-work, 'Mirage' as well as their concert programmes would argue that the duo were also a class apart.

European champion Flowers was third, after a resurgent concert set secured the final podium spot, with Welsh champion Cory in fourth. A margin behind came Brass Band Schoonhoven with the all-star Australia Brass completing the top-six, whilst close on their heels were Wellington Brass and the cooperation band in seventh and eighth. The Japanese of Immortal Brass Eternally and Americans of Five Lakes Silver Band completed the global field of high-class contenders.

Boiling point

Over the weekend the air-conditioned hall gave an enthusiastically supportive audience some respite from the swelteringly hot conditions outside, yet on stage the musical meniscus bubbled close to boiling point with the performances of the title contenders.

Jan de Haan's test-piece was appropriately titled, even if its evocative sense of eternal apparition related to the mythical maritime tale of 'The Flying Dutchman' rather than any desert heat-haze illusions — a 'Mirage' construct of metaphor intensity rather than operatic translation.

Lakes not seas

And whilst Switzerland may be a landlocked country, Treize Etoile MD, Frederic Theodoloz later told 4BR that they had, "plenty of wonderful lakes" to inspire an interpretation packed with forensic ensemble detail that ended the first day with what was to prove a crucial margin ahead of their main rivals.

Behind them, both Philip Harper and Frans Violet opted for sweeping symphonic arcs of appreciation, texturing their canvases with Cory and Willebroek with sumptuous washes of colour that ebbed and flowed on their musical tide, even with the occasional moment of unease.

Flowers also just caught a few headwinds in finishing fourth ahead of a bravura Australia Brass and more tempered Wellington Brass.

Engrossing

Sunday saw engrossing concert-set performances — led by an enthusiastically confident Immortal Brass Eternally, superbly directed by Kazuyuki Kouno. He later admitted that exposure to this level of competition will inspire his band as well as the wider Japanese movement to new heights.

You hope so. They were the most wonderful ambassadors for their country, as were the Americans of Five Lakes Silver Band in showcasing their 'can do' determination and verve under Christopher Ward.

Elite progress

Any disappointment felt by the cooperation band after the intense commitment to this and other ventures of late should be measured against just how far they have progressed in elite level terms in the past year or so. They gave everything here, but you sense there is still more to come from Katrina Marzella Wheeler and her band in the future.

So too the antipodean pairing of Wellington Brass and Australia Brass, who also offered concrete evidence in very different ways of their elite credentials — the New Zealanders in particular under David Bremner showcasing their ingrained musicality.

The contrast with Matthew Van Emmerick as his 'all-star' ensemble was marked. However, their boldly inventive approach (the opening featured a trumpet and didgeridoo free-impro duet) and remarkable determination to make the trip, offered the tantalising possibility of the contest welcoming more 'National' bands in future (even if their soloist was the fantastic American trumpet player Rex Richardson).

New works

Brass Band Schoonhoven represented their nation with excellence as Glenn Van Looy led a solidly portrayed set-work allied to an engaging concert set, with a bass and contrabass trombone solo feature and an absorbing major new test-piece from Tom Davoren.

Cory's 'Heroes' set also showcased something new from the well-known enigma that is Paul Raphael with a welcome chilly blast of narrative led adventurism in 'Tintin in Tibet' as well as a tender Handel solo from Sheona White and John Williams Olympic spirit.

Flowers meanwhile opted for the tried and tested as they returned to top form with a set that included their European own-choice blockbuster 'West Wind' from Oliver Waespi, 'Heliopshere' by Kelly-Marie Murphy and Daniel Thomas on sparkling form on 'Symphonic Variants'.

Near perfection

Willebroek very nearly hit perfection in their bid to retain their world title; the 99.50 mark as close as the judges could have come to awarding them just that for a set that opened with the polish of 'Song t(w)o the North'.

It was followed by Tim de Maeseneer's stunning rendition of 'Frokko 5' that saw him claim the 'Best Soloist' award (against superstar rivals) and an epically retold tale of 'Orpheus & Eurydice' by Stijn Aertgeets.

That it eventually fell short by a razor edge margin was simply a matter of subjective appreciation as the Swiss also gave their all to repel their challenge.

Super layers

The superbly layered balances on 'Ein Feste Burg' were contrasted with the fragile butterfly beauty of soprano soloist Jeremy Coquoz on Piazzolla's 'Cafe 1930', and the fantastical scope and heft of 'Cassandra 2025' to close.

In the end, any portents she may have uttered about their pre-contest status as the favourites to claim victory ultimately showed themselves to be true — although few Swiss supporters would have imagined it would have been such a close call.

First Division:

Lucy Pankhurst's 'Ghosts of Industry' also spoke of memories of loss and illusionary memories, although as in the Concert Division, the prize winners produced performances of real-time musical substance.

They were headed by Brassband Pro Rege Heerenveen conducted by Jan Werkman, as the Dutch added a second World Championship title to that won in the Second Division in 2005. Added to by equally confident renditions of Jan de Haan's 'Pro Musica' and Peter Graham's 'Essence of Time' it saw them top both the set-work and own-choice disciplines.

As in the Concert Division the Belgian defending champion was unable to retain their title as Brassband Bacchus ended runner-up. On this occasion their fine accounts of the set-work, 'Evensong' and 'Afterlife' weren't quite good enough to retain the winner's pennant, although they took the separate 'Outstanding Section' award.

Ensemble de Cuivres Ambitus from Switzerland showed their consistency as the 2013 Second Division champion ended third with a set that included 'Magdalena Bay', 'Lux' and 'Balkan Dance' in addition to their set-work performance.

Behind them, the second Belgian contender Mercator Brassband ended fourth (taking the award for 'Musical Promise') ahead of the Dutch of Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning and the French representatives Brass Band du Hainaut.

Second and Third Divisions:

Brass Band Schoonhoven B directed by Joop Nijholt claimed an overwhelming victory in the Second Division.

Unfortunately, there were only the two entrants, as the Dutch Open champion finally added the World Championship title to their CV (they were runner-up in 2009 and 2013) with excellent renditions of the set-work, 'Modern Times' by Etienne Crausaz, as well as 'Valaisia Variants' and 'Traversada'. They also took the 'Best Section' award.

Runner-up was Cologne Concert Brass, who showed their potential by securing the award for 'musical promise'.

Joyful celebrations

If there was a World Championship award for the most joyful winning celebrations, then it would surely have gone to Brass Band Aukstyn.

The Lithuanians retained their title in the Kerkrade Theatre on Friday night, leading to an impromptu 'conga-line' dance behind their conductor Remi Vilys after a thrilling victory based on performances that combined youthful vibrancy with a mature sense of musicality.

Thrilling renditions of the choreographed 'Padzios vejas', 'The Wind Beneath My Wings' featuring 'Best Soloist' award winner, Azuolas Baronas, the set-work, 'Black Gold' by Thierry Deleruyelle and 'Gospel Brass Machine' saw them claim a clear victory from the impressive German ensemble of Brass Band B10.

Their excellent 'Best Section' percussion team added to fine renditions of the set-work, 'Starburst' and 'Hope' as they ended ahead of third placed Brass Band Bravoer from Belgium. The top-six was completed by Brassband Hombeek, Brass Band Schupfen and Brass Band Duren.

Positive responses

With the organisers looking to enhance the prestige of the brass band element of the World Music Contest, the provision of a live-stream broadcast in addition to financial assistance for travel, podium prize money and selected concert appearances for the invited Concert Division bands certainly brought a positive response from competitors and listeners alike.

However, whether the relaxed registration requirements and rules that allowed bands to feature their own invited soloists may well need addressing if in future being crowned World Champion is to become the pinnacle of contesting achievement in global banding.

Iwan Fox

The 0.04 photo-finish distance after two days of the highest quality competitive music making meant that it was MD Frederic Theodoloz and his players who swung the huge Concert Division winner's flag with national pride4BR

Result:

Concert Division:

Adjudicators:
Set Work — Thomas Doss; Mareika Gray; Ian Porthouse
Own Choice — Isabella Ruf-Weber; Bert van Thienen; Florent Didier
Test Piece: Mirage (Jan de Haan)
Test Piece/Own Choice programme = Total

1. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Frederic Theodoloz): 97.25/97.33 = 97.29
2. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet): 95.00/99.50 = 97.25
3. Flowers Band (Paul Holland): 94.67/98.11 = 96.39
4. Cory Band (Philip Harper): 95.92/95.89 = 95.90
5. Brass Band Schoonhoven A (Glenn Van Looy): 93.08/91.56 = 92.32
6. Australia Brass (Dr Matthew Van Emmerick): 93.67/90.22 = 91.94
7. Wellington Brass (David Bremner): 93.33/89.78 = 91.56
8. the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella Wheeler): 90.58/92.11 = 91.35
9. Immortal Brass Eternally (Kazuyuki Kouno): 86.00/87.67 = 86.83
10. Five Lakes Silver Band (Christopher Ward): 85.00/85.78 = 85.39

Outstanding soloist (Own Choice programme): Tim De Maeseneer, (horn) — Brass Band Willebroek

Highest mark on Test Piece: Brass Band Treize Etoiles

First Division:

Adjudicators: Isabella Ruf-Weber; Bert van Thienen; Florent Didier
Test Piece/Own Choice programme = Total

1. Brassband Pro Rege Heerenveen (Jan Werkman): 95.92/95.33 = 95.63
2. Brassband Bacchus (Bart Van Neyghem): 94.76/94.33 = 95.50/95.22 = 95.36
3. Ensemble de Cuivres Ambitus (Lagger Damien): 95.00/94.89 = 94.94
4. Mercator Brassband (Lode Violet): 93.67/94.56 = 94.11
5. Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning (Yves Wuyts): 94.00/92.89 = 93.44
6. Brass Band du Hainaut (Thibaut Bruniaux): 93.00/92.67 = 91.47
7. Brassband Gloria Dei (Gerk Huisma): 91.50/91.44 = 91.47
8. Brassband Merum (Maurice Daemen): 89.00/89.78 = 89.39

Award for an outstanding section or soloist: Brassband Bacchus
Award for a musical promise or remarkable musical achievement: Mercator Brassband

Second Division:

Adjudicators: Thomas Doss; Mareika Gray; Ian Porthouse
Test Piece/Own Choice programme = Total

1. Brass Band Schoonhoven B: 91.50/91.78 = 91.64
2. Cologne Concert Brass: 83.58/83.22 = 83.40

Award for an outstanding section or soloist: Solo quartet of Brass Band Schoonhoven B during Traversada

Award for a musical promise or remarkable musical achievement:
Principal cornet (Cologne Concert Brass)

Third Division:

Adjudicators: Isabella Ruf-Weber; Bert van Thienen; Florent Didier
Test Piece/Own Choice programme = Total

1. Brass Band Aukstyn (Remigijus Vilys): 95.33/95.11 = 95.22
2. Brass Band B10 (Frank Vantroyen): 94.76/94.33 = 94.50
3. Brass Band Bravoer (Thomas Roelants): 93.83/93.78 = 93.81
4. Brassband Hombeek (Stan Nieuwenhuis): 91.00/91.67 = 91.33
5. Brass Band Schupfen (Pascal Eicher): 89.83/90.56 = 90.19
6. Brass Band Duren (Martin Schadlich): 87.83/89.00 = 88.42
7. Brassband Kunst & Vriendschap (Olav Dorst): 87.33/86.67 = 87.00

Best Soloist: Azuolas Baronas (Trombone) — Brass Band Aukstyn
Best Section: Percussion of Brass Band B10