The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) has announced the line-up of bands that will compete at the 42nd European Brass Band Championship in Montreux later this year.

Tickets are already sold out for the blue-riband Championship Section event, where 13 bands will take to the Stravinski Auditorium stage to lay claim to the famous European Trophy.

Lucky 13

Defending champion Valaisia Brass Band will be joined by compatriot and former champion Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern as the home nation's representatives, whilst for the first time the Italian Brass Band, who have won the Challenge Section in three of the last four years, will also appear.

They will be joined by Swedish representatives Gota Brass Band, whilst former champions Cory, Brass Band Willebroek, Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag and Brighouse & Rastrick will also make the journey hoping to add to the tally .

Paris Brass Band, 3BA, Concord Brass Band, Provinciale Brass Band Groningen and Brass Band Oberosterreich will also represent their nations in their bids to claim a first European title success.

In the Challenge Section EBBA welcomes the debut of a competitor from Spain, as Malaga Brass Band under Víctor Eloy Lopez Cerezo will compete against four rivals.

Impressed

EBBA General Secretary Kor Niehof told 4BR: "I've been impressed by the willingness and enthusiasm of the Malaga Brass Band to make a success of their debut at the European. It's an honour to work with them towards the contest in Montreux."

The five bands competing in the Challenge Section are, 1st Old Boys Band from Northern Ireland, the German representatives Brass Band Regensburg, Annan Town Band from Scotland, Brass LT from Lithunia and Malaga.

Speaking to 4BR in Norway this weekend, EBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg said: "It's great to see the brass band movement in Europe still developing, with bands making their debuts in the Championship Section and with the participation of a band from Spain in the Challenge Section.

We are looking forward to all the performances, set tests and own-choice pieces, at the 42nd EBBC in Montreux."

European Youth Championship

The European Youth Brass Band Championships has attracted nine participating bands, for the event which concludes the festival on Sunday 28th April.

Defending Development Section champion, Wardle Academy Youth Band (England), will compete against Brass Band Aukstyn (Lithuania), Smoras Skolemusikk (Norway) and Elland Silver Youth Band (England).

The Premier Section champion Youth Brass 2000 (England) will compete against BML-talents (Switzerland), Catch Basin Brass Band (Austria), Lions Youth Brass Band (England) and JBB Blechklang (Germany).

We are looking forward to all the performances, set tests and own-choice pieces, at the 42nd EBBC in MontreuxEBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg

Competing Bands:

Championship Section:

3BA Concert Band (Luc Vertommen) — Germany
Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach) — Switzerland
Brass Band Oberosterreich (Ian Porthouse) — Austria
Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet) — Belgium
Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King) — England
Concord Brass Band (Jesper Juul Windahl) — Denmark
Cory Band (Philip Harper) — Wales
Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag (Ingar H. Bergby) — Norway
Gota Brass Band (Michael Thomson) — Sweden
Italian Brass Band (Filippo Cangiamila) — Italy
Paris Brass Band (Florent Didier) — France
Provinciale Brass Band Groningen (Richard Visser) — The Netherlands
Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc) — Switzerland

Challenge Section:

1st Old Boys Band (Stephan Cairns) — Northern Ireland
Annan Town Band (Paul Drury) — Scotland
Brass Band Regensburg (Dave Lee) — Germany
Brass LT (Russell Gray) — Lithuania
Malaga Brass Band (Victor Eloy Lopez Cerezo) — Spain

European Youth Brass Band Championship:

Development Section:

Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser) — Lithuania
Elland Silver Youth Band (Samantha Harrison) — England
Smoras Skolemusik (Magnus Brandseth) — Norway
Wardle Academy Youth Band (Lee Rigg) — England

Premier Section:

BML Talents (Patrick Ottiger) — Switzerland
Catch Basin Brass Band (Andreas Lackner) — Austria
Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricio Cosentino) — Germany
Lions Youth Brass Band (Nigel Birch) — England
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — England