On the weejend of the 12th and 13th April, Mechelen in Belgium will host the second Flemish Open Brass Band Championship, which will take place at the City's Theatre/Grote Markt
Open adjudication
20 competitors from six countries will compete in three sections where the championship will be judged in the open by Jan Van der Roost, James Gourlay and Rob Goorhuis.
Sunday will see a free morning concert by Brass Band Heman and Stef Pillaert and free band stand concerts on the main square of Mechelen, Grote Markt.
This second event has attracted international attention as the homegrown Belgian contenders will play against bands from the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and France.
20 competitors from six countries will compete in three sections where the championship will be judged in the open by Jan Van der Roost, James Gourlay and Rob Goorhuis4BR
The Sections
Section A will see the biggest names compete, headed by the reigning European Champion Brass Band Willebroek. Domestic competition comes from Brass Band Buizingen, Festival Brass Band, Metropole Brass Band and North-Limburg Brass Band, whilst Amsterdam Brass come from the Netherlands and Pemberton Wigan Old JJB Band from the UK.
Lower Sections
Sections B and C also have international competitors, with bands from Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and France.
All the bands in each section will play a freely chosen 25 minute programme with the likes of 'Music for Battle Creek', 'Revelation', 'Blitz', 'Elgar Variations', 'Concerto Grosso' and 'Cambridge Variations' being performed in the top section.
There are still tickets available through www.brassbandhombeek.be/vobk.
The jury will do their job without ‘blindfold’.
Side dishes
On Sunday 13th at 11.00am Brass Band Heman and Stef Pillaert will present a free morning concert, whilst on the same day there will be some free band stand concerts played at the main square of Mechelen (Grote Markt).
Tickets and info:
