Belgian National champion Brass Band Buizingen has announced the signing of Glenn Van Looy as their new principal euphonium.

Permanent

Glenn recently worked with the band as a soloist on Nigel Clarke’s euphonium concerto ‘City in the Sea’ for their forthcoming CD, and decided to stay with the band on a permanent basis.

He will make his concert debut with Buizingen this weekend in a pre-European event together with Dutch champion Brass Band Schoonhoven, whilst his contest premiere will come in Oslo at the European Brass Band Championships.

Norwegian stay

The performer’s burgeoning international commitments mean that he will stay in Norway after the event to record his second solo CD with Manger Musikklag under the baton of Alan Withington.

Glenn told 4BR: "I would like to thank Brass Band Heist for the great experience I have gained and I am now looking forward to an adventurous new brass band future."

I’m excited to build further on our talented group, adding one of the most sought-after young soloistsBuizingen MD, Luc Vertommen

Meter move

Brass Band Buizingen MD Luc Vertommen, is also looking forward to working with the star player: "I would like to thank our long serving player Hans Goris, who has been a superb player and such a versatile bandsman – so much that he has moved half a meter further to the right as the new principal trombonist."

He added: "I’m excited to build further on our talented group, adding one of the most sought-after young soloists. I still clearly remember the times when I heard Glenn playing as a youngster with his father’s fanfare band – his sound was bigger than his size even in those days."