*
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    


Huddersfield

Huddersfield Uni strengthens link with Army

January 11 • The student connection between the University of Huddersfield Wind Band and the Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment continues to be strengthened under MD Jim Fieldhouse.


Sine Nomiee

Brookwright Music: Sine Nomine (Vaughan Williams arr. Andrew Wainwright)

January 11 • A wonderful set of four contrasting variations based on 'For all the Saints' by Ralph Vaughan Williams.


Matthew Jones

OBE recognition for Matthew Jones

January 11 • The Senior Producer and Deputy Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales has been awarded the OBE in the recent New Year Honours List.


Coalburn

Coalburn awards youth and experience

January 11 • The annual Coalburn Silver Band awards night saw accolades and recognition from the beginners to the most experienced performers.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Cambrian Brass

January 11 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium and EEb Bass positions.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd