One of the most successful contest partnerships in European banding has come to an end with the news that Erik Janssen and Brass Band Schoonhoven have ended their link together.

Shock

The shock announcement comes on the back of their critically acclaimed performance at the recent Brass in Concert Championship in Gateshead, where the former Dutch National champion came seventh overall but won the ‘Entertainment & Presentation’ award for their slickly produced ‘South African Symphony’ programme.

However, that result also followed their shock last place at the Dutch National Championships in Utrecht, where they were hoping to make it five wins in a row under the MD’s direction.

Inspiration

A band spokesperson told 4BR: “We would like to thank Erik for his amazing contribution and inspiration to Brass Band Schoonhoven’s success. We hope though to continue to work with him on a number of different projects in the future.”

We would like to thank Erik for his amazing contribution and inspiration to Brass Band Schoonhoven’s success. We hope though to continue to work with him on a number of different projects in the futureSpokesperson

Titles

During his tenure, which started in 1992 but saw him return again in 2008, the partnership rose from the Second Division of Dutch banding to Championship level, winning four successive National titles, and representing Holland at four European Championships, claiming four top six finishes.

The band also won a hat trick of Eurobrass titles, the Flemish Open and claimed a podium finish at the 2010 All England Masters. They also undertook two ground breaking tours to South Africa.