There was further indication that there is a new breed of emerging top class bands in Belgium on the weekend, when Noord-Limburgse Brass took the 32nd Belgium National Championship title at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven.

Powerful

Directed by Ivan Meylemans, their powerful performance of the set work, ‘Blitz’ by Derek Bourgeois saw them claim the title for the first time in their history, defeating 2008 champion Festival Brass into second place with multiple National winners Willebroek in third.

Reigning champion

Reigning champion Buizingen had to be content with 5th place behind Metrpole Brass, whilst last year’s First Section winners, Brass Band Heist was sixth ahead of Kortrijk Brass.

Noord-Limburgse Brass will now represent Belgium at the European Championship in Montreux in May next year.

Noord-Limburgse Brass will now represent Belgium at the European Championship in Montreux in May next year4BR

Other winners

In the First Division there was victory for Brassband Zele conducted by Bert Van Der Striecki, whilst BrassBand Bacchus conducted by Bart Van Neyghem took the Third Section honours and Braz’Art, the Fourth Division title.

Results:
Championship Section:

1. Noord-Limburgse Brass Band (Ivan Meylemans) – 96.00
2. Festival Brass Band (Manu Mellaerts) – 94.00
3. Brassband Willebroek (Frans Violet) – 93.00
4. Metropole Brass Band (Guy Audenaert) – 91.00
5. Brassband Buizingen (Luc Vertommen) – 89.00
6. Brass Band Heist (Bert Van Thienen) – 87.00
7. Kortrijk Brass Band (Lieven Maertens) – 85.00

First Division:
1. Brassband Zele (Bart Van Der Strieckt) – 90.50
2. Brassband Panta Rhei (Paul Voet) – 85.50
3. Brass Band Leieland (Wouter Loose) – 85.00

Second Division:
1. Brassband Bacchus (Bart Van Neyghem) – 88.00
2. Brassband Gent (Lieven Dobbelaere) – 85.00

Third Division:
1. Braz'Art (Geert Verschaeve) – 84.50
2. Brassband 'de Grensbewoners (Danny Aerden) – 84.00
3. Brassband Euterpe (Roland Van Buggenhout) – 83.00