The European Brass Band Association (EEBA) has announced the line-up of bands that will compete at the 43rd European Brass Band Championships, in association with World of Brass, which will be held in Palanga.
Championship Section
Defending champion, Cory will be joined by Tredegar Band to form a strong representation from Wales, with the UK also sending English qualifiers Foden's.
Brass Band Schoonhoven from The Netherlands is back after a four year gap and is joined by French champion, Hauts-de-France, Brass Band Willebroek (Belgium), Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Norway), 3BA (Germany), Concord Brass Band (Denmark), Valaisia Brass Band (Switzerland), Göta Brass Band (Sweden) and Brass Band Oberösterreich from Austria.
Challenge Section:
Brass Band Regensburg from Germany returns to defend its title in the Challenge Section. They will be joined by LT Brass from Lithuania, the current Italian Champion Brass Band Wipptal and Downshire Brass from Northern Ireland.
Speaking about the entry list, EBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg told 4BR: "It is fantastic to welcome the participating bands in the beautiful city of Palanga.
We are looking forward to all the performances, set test and own-choice pieces, at this historic event. The brass band movement is still developing here and we are delighted that three bands from Lithuania will compete this year."
Youth Championships
The European Youth Championships will see 9 participants compete in the two sections of competition on Sunday 3rd May.
Development Section defending champion Wardle Academy Youth Band (England), will compete against Brass Band SklepuÄini (Lithuania), SmørÃ¥s Skolemusikk (Norway) and Seindorf Ieuenctid Beaumaris (Wales).
There will be a new champion in the Premier Section since Catch Basin Brass Band from Austria will not defend its title.
Youth Brass 2000 (England), JBB Blechklang (Germany), Liberty Brass Band Junior (Switzerland), Evolution Brass Regensburg (Germany) and Brass Band Aukstyn (Lithuania) will look to claim the title.
It is fantastic to welcome the participating bands in the beautiful city of PalangaEBBA President, Ulf Rosenberg
Competing bands:
Championship Section:
3BA Concert Band (Corsin Tuor) Germany
Brass Band Oberösterreich (Gunther Reisegger) Austria
Brass Band Schoonhoven (Paul Holland) The Netherlands
Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet) Belgium
Concord Brass Band (Stig Maersk) Denmark
Cory Band (Philip Harper) Wales
Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag (Ingar H. Bergby) Norway
Foden's Band (Russell Gray) England
Göta Brass Band (Michael Thomsen) Sweden
Hauts-de-France Brass Band (Luc Vertommen) France
Tredegar Town Band (Ian Porthouse) Wales
Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc) Switzerland
Challenge Section:
Brass Band Regensburg (Stefan Popp) Germany
Brass Band Wipptal (Patrick Gruber) Italy
Brass LT (Bjørn Breistein) Lithuania
Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) Northern-Ireland
European Youth Brass Band Contest:
Development Section:
Brass Band Sklepucini (Erik Janssen) Lithuania
Seindorf Ieuenctid Beaumaris (Hefin Evans) Wales
Smøras Skolemusikk (Magnus Brandseth) Norway
Wardle Academy Youth Band (Lee Rigg) England
Premier Section:
Brass Band Aukstyn (Piet Visser) Lithuania
Evolution Brass Regensburg (Thomas Lorenz) Germany
Jugend Brass Band Blechklang (Patricio Cosentino) Germany
Liberty Brass Band Junior (Stefan Roth) Switzerland
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) England
