Fresh from their recent Welsh Open hat-trick win in Porthcawl, Filton Concert Brass have announced that Dutch conductor Erik van de Kolk will lead them in the upcoming West of England Area Championships in Torquay.

Erik studied conducting at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, and in 2011 won the European Brass Band Championship Conductors Competition in Montreux, taking home not only the jury honours, but also the band and audience prizes.

Experience

He spent a decade at Brassband Rijnmond until the summer of 2019 and in 2012 conducted the European Youth Brass Band and was guest conductor with the Royal Military Band between 2015 and 2016. He has also worked with Stavanger Band in Norway, aiding their preparations for the 2018 European Championships.

Erik is currently conductor of Noordlimburgse Brassband, as well as Gelders Fanfare Orchestra, Emergo Castricum Fanfare Orchestra, and the Vriezenveen Symphonic Wind Band. This will be his conducting debut in the UK.

Delighted

Speaking about the exciting link, Band Chairman James Bryant told 4BR: "We're delighted to secure the services of such a talented conductor. Erik's enthusiasm and work ethic are an ideal fit for us after retaining the Welsh Open title.

We're really looking forward to welcoming Erik to Bristol and working with him in the run up to Torquay."