*
banner

Dutch champions celebrate significant Christmas birthdays...

Brass Band De Waldsang will be celebrating some significant birthdays this festive weekend.

Waldsang
  It will be a special Christmas celebration this year for the newly crowned Dutch champion.

The newly crowned Dutch National Champion, Brass Band De Waldsang is looking forward to a busy Christmas weekend.

Two birthdays

The band will appear in two concerts — on Saturday and Christmas Eve to bring festive music making to brass band lovers in the town of Drachten, as well as celebrate the 40th anniversary of their formation.

There is sure to be plenty of high quality vocal accompaniments for the carols and festive tunes too, as MD Rieks van der Velde and the band will be joined by the renowned gospel choir 'Rejoice' and the male vocal ensemble 'The Gents' for the events.

This will be a very special Christmas for the band — enjoying the festivities with friends, as well as celebrating our National Championship victory and our 40th birthdayDe Waldsang

Special Christmas

A spokesperson told 4BR: "This will be a very special Christmas for the band — enjoying the festivities with friends, as well as celebrating our National Championship victory and our 40th birthday at the 'Schouwburg de Lawei' in Drachten. The concert will be a beautiful way to welcome Christmas Day."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Gray

Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure

March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.


Brass Band Week

Banding campaigns return this summer

March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.


gALASHILS

Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships

March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.


BBW

March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now

March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Thornton Cleveleys Band

March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd