*
banner

Dutch Opens up a little smaller

The Dutch Open will take place next month as a 'Mini Festival' rather than a full blown contest weekend.

Dutch Open
  The Dutch Open will be a two day 'Mini Festival' with plenty of features .

Following the cancellation, due to Covid-19 restrictions, of the proposed hosting of the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships (DOBC) which were to be held in Groningen, the Netherlands this weekend, the contest organisers have announced a new initiative.

A DOBC 'Mini Festival' will now take place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th of July at the venue, featuring a programme of music, including concerts by leading Dutch brass bands, soloists and ensembles. It is to be recorded for broadcast by brasspass.tv

Friday

The Friday will see soloists and ensembles from the Prince Claus Conservatoire (PCC) featured, as well as a panel discussion with Marcel Mandos (Artistic Director North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra), Tijmen Botma (Musical Director and lecturer at PCC), and Wilbert Zwier (trombone player, conductor and chair of Provinciale Brassband Groningen). It will be hosted by classical radio compere Ab Nieuwdorp.

The evening concert will feature Brass Band Schoonhoven in a programme of new compositions.

Saturday

The Saturday morning session will feature ensemble-and soloist performances by students of the PCC, followed by a concert by Brass band Rijnmond (Rotterdam).

The afternoon attraction is a performance by Violet Brass Quartet, led by Lode Violet, principal cornet of Brass Band Willebroek.

Audience

For both Friday and Saturday programs a maximum of 50 people will be allowed into the venue auditorium.

Tickets are available through The Oosterpoort/SPOT Groningen website.

The organisation is happy to be able to offer an alternative programme to the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships and is looking forward to a smaller, but nonetheless interesting event with music making on the highest levelDOBC

Recordings

Recordings of performances from the two days will be used in two episodes of the brass show 'New Dimensions in Brass' from Brasspass.tv

A DOBC spokesperson told 4BR: "The organisation is happy to be able to offer an alternative programme to the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships and is looking forward to a smaller, but nonetheless interesting event with music making on the highest level."

2022

It was confirmed that the next edition of the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships will be held on Saturday 11th of June 2022. Registration for the 2022 edition is still open.

More information: www.dobc.eu

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    


4BR Review

4BR Review: Annual Awards nominations broadcast

December 16 • The long list nominees for the 2025 4BR Awards will be revealed in a special live broadcast on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm — so why not join us and see if you agree with our choices.


Oldroyd

Kennedy signing adds to Oldroyd Opus

December 16 • The award winning cooperation band flugel star Stephanie Kennedy has been welcomed as a new Oldroyd Musical Instruments Performance Artist.


Frans Violet

Willebroek reaches new audiences with primetime television slot

December 16 • The talents of the European champion were enjoyed by a nationwide television audience in Belgium.


We are going on a bear hunt

Leyland to go on a bear hunt...

December 16 • There will be plenty of family fun in 2026 for supporters of Leyland Band — as they lead the musical accompaniment to a classic bear hunt.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


wantage silver band

December 17 • . Wantage Concert Brass (First Section) are looking to fill the positions of Solo Euphonium, First Baritone and Bass Trombone ASAP. Rehearsals are on Tuesday and Friday, 7:30-9:30pm, led by their dynamic MD Daniel Hall..


Banks Brass Band

December 16 • Merry Christmas from Banks Brass Band, a friendly non-contesting Band near Southport. We are looking for experienced players to strengthen our euphonium, trombone and bass rows. Rehearsals: Mondays 8.00-9.30 in the Hub@Banks community centre, PR4 8BL.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Solo Cornet player.


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd