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Strong line-up for Flemish Open

There is a strong line-up of competitors for the forthcoming Flemish Open in Mechelen.

Flemish Open
  The Flemish Open has once again attracted a strong field of competitors.

The 2018 Flemish Open Championship will take place in the city of Mechelen on the weekend of 21st/22nd April.

Held at the City Theatre, the event will be divided into four sections, with 27 bands performing 30-minute programmes that must include a major test-piece.

30-minute programmes

The performances will be adjudicated by three internationally acclaimed musicians, whilst an additional attraction at the Veemarkt Marquet Square will see free concerts on both day organised by Brass Band Hombeek.

Section C:


Saturday 21st (Noon)
Set-work: Black Hole (Stijn Aertgeerts)

Competitors:
Mercator Brassband (Belgium)
3BA Academy Band (Germany)
Brass Band des Hauts de Flandre (France)
Ensemble de Cuivres Jurassien B (Switzerland)
Jugendbrassband Oberosterreich (Austria)

Own-choice works include 'Ex Terra Lucem' (Jonathan Bates), 'Kingdom of Dragons' (Philip Harper), 'Brass Triumphant' (Gareth Wood), 'Masque' (Kenneth Hesketh).

Tickets: 6 Euros

Section A:


Saturday 21st (4.00pm)
Set-work: Second to None (Philip Sparke)

Competitors:
Brassband Heist (Belgium)
Festival Brassband (Belgium)
Kortrijk Brassband (Belgium)
Noord-Limburgse brassband (Belgium)
Brassband de Bazuin Oenkerk (Netherlands)
Brassband Rijnmond (Netherlands)
Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Netherlands)
Soli Brass (Netherlands)
Musikgesellschaft Risch-Rotkreuz (Switzerland)
Hauts de France (France)
Italy Brass Family Band (Italy)

Own-choice works include 'Vita Aeterna Variations' (Alexander Comitas), 'Perihelion: Closer to the Sun' (Philip Sparke), 'Dances & Alleluias' (Philip Sparke), 'Hypercube' (Oliver Waespi), 'Angels & Demons' (Peter Graham), 'Spectrum' (Gilbert Vinter), 'Jazz — Symphonic Dances for Brass Band' (Philip Wilby), 'From Ancient Times' (Jan Van der Roost), 'Destination Moon' (Paul Raphael).

Tickets: Section A — 20 Euro (presale) and 25 Euro at reception (if still available).

Section D:


Sunday 22nd (9.30am)
Set-work: Embers (Tom Davoren)

Competitors:
Brassband Leest (Belgium)
United Brass (Netherlands)
Brassband Harp and Luit (Netherlands)
Brassband Düren (Germany).

Own-choice works include 'Brass on Fire!' (Dean Jones), 'The Mermaid of Zennor' (Philip Harper), 'Saint Saens Variations' (Philip Sparke), 'Viking Age' (Thierry Deleruyelle).

Section B:


Sunday 22nd (Noon)
Set-work: Toccatina (Olivier Marquis)

Atout Vent (France)
Brass Band A7 (Germany)
Brassband Kunst naar Kracht (Netherlands)
Brassband Merum (Netherlands)
Brassband Pro Rege Heerenveen (Netherlands)
Brass Band 'De Grensbewoners' Smeermaas (Belgium)
Young Brassband Willebroek (Belgium)

Own-choice works include (3x) 'Excalibur' (Jan Van der Roost), 'Lions of Legend' (Thierry Deleruyelle), 'Cantabile' (Philip Harper), 'The Year of the Dragon' (Philip Sparke) and 'Rhapsody in Brass' (Dean Goffin).

Tickets: 10 Euro.

Tickets:

Tickets: www.vobk.org/tickets

Free concerts at the Veemarkt market square on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

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