The list of own-choice selections that will be performed by the competing bands at the 2018 European Brass Band Championships in Utrecht have been announced.

No slabs of dynamic granite

It is certainly a very interesting selection by the 12 elite contenders, with just the one 'premiere' to be heard with Andy Scott's 'Defiance'.

Perhaps in view of the well reported details of the rather unique hall design and acoustic at the TivoliVrendenburg, the choices do not all seem to be hewn out of the huge slabs of dynamic granite as they usually are.

It will be first time that Gareth Wood's 'Actaeon' (written in 2008) has been heard at this level, whilst the continued popularity of Thierry Deleruyelle's 2016 European set-work, 'Fraternity' sees it performed twice.

Other works are taking a first bow at this level having previously been performed at major Championship Sections events around the world.

'Jazz: Symphonic Dances for Brass Band' by Philip Wilby was first used at the All England Masters Championship back in 1997 as well as the top-flight test for the 2001 Regional Championships, while 'Goldberg 2012' has been performed at the Norwegian Nationals (2012) and World Music Contest (2013).

All six other works have been used at least once as own-choice selections at the Championship.

Challenge Section:

In the Challenge Section there are some equally intriguing choices with a rare outing for Roland Wiltgen's 'Red Earth', which was the Championshio Section set-work in Luxembourg in 1995 and Gilbert Vinter's ground breaking 'Spectrum' that was first used as a top flight own-choice in 1982 and last used in 1998.

The other works; 'Sinfonietta No. 3' (Etienne Crausaz); 'Toccata e Fantasia' (Thomas Doss) and 'Vivat!' (Tom Davoren), will receive their European contest premieres.

Perhaps in view of the well reported details of the rather unique hall design and acoustic at the TivoliVrendenburg, the choices do not all seem to be hewn out of the huge slabs of dynamic granite as they usually are4BR

Championship Section:

Actaeon (Gareth Wood)
Defiance (Andy Scott)
Destination Moon (Paul Rapheal)
Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)*
Goldberg 2012 (Svein Henrik Giske)
Hypercube (Oliver Waespi)
Jazz: Symphonic Dances for Brass Band (Philip Wilby)
Metropolis 1927 (Peter Graham)
Partita for Band (Wilfred Heaton)
Perihelion — Closer to the Sun (Philip Sparke)
The Turing Test (Simon Dobson)

*To be played by two competing bands

Challenge Section:

Red Earth (Roland Wiltgen)
Sinfonietta No. 3 (Etienne Crausaz)
Spectrum (Gilbert Vinter)
Toccata e Fantasia (Thomas Doss)
Vivat! (Tom Davoren)