The experienced Luc Vertommen has been announced as the new Musical Director of Brass Band Ghent in Belgium.

Luc, who will be adjudicating at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend, will team up once more with Lieven Dobbelaere, who has been conducting the band since its formation in 2008, and who also played principal cornet under him at Brassband Buizingen.

Looking forward

Brass Band Ghent, now in the Belgium First Division, was founded by a group of enthusiastic brass players from the capital and largest city in the east of Flanders, with the intention of giving brass players from the region the opportunity to perform at the highest level possible.

Speaking to 4BR Luc Vertommen said: "I am really looking forward to conducting a band again on a weekly basis in my own country. Brass Band Ghent is a relatively young group of players with the will and ambition to grow into a top class band on the concert and contest stage in the near future.

If this collaboration lasts as long as the one I enjoyed with Brassband Buizingen, this is a mission who could last until my musical retirement!"

France, Austria, UK and Belgium

Following that highly successful partnership Luc led Hauts-de-France to the French National title as well as to the European Championships.

He recently conducted Carlton Main Frickley at the British Open, and at the end of November will lead defending champion Brass Band Froschl Hall at the Austrian National Championship in Linz.

If this collaboration lasts as long as the one I enjoyed with Brassband Buizingen, this is a mission who could last until my musical retirement!Luc Vertommen

Next step

In response to the news, Lieven Dobbelaere said: "Under my leadership Brass Band Ghent has grown into an established band in the First Division but after ten years, it is time for the next step.

Attracting Luc as our new conductor was an unique opportunity and one that we could not miss. We are very pleased that Luc wants to start this into this collaboration, and I'm looking forward to playing principal cornet again under his leadership."