*
banner

French Open maintains attraction

The 26th French Open Championships will take place in the wonderful Loire Valley town of Amboise next month.

Amboise
  The historic chateau provides the atmospheric backdrop to the whole event

The 26th French Open Championships will once again take place over the weekend of the 3rd-5th June in the historic Loire Valley town of Amboise.

It sees the return of the event which last took place in 2019, with nine bands competing for the prizes in four sections.

The competitors must all perform a varied entertainment programme, which includes the set test-piece.

Competitive elements

In addition they also take part in a Whit Friday style march competition on the Saturday morning in front of the historic Chateau d' Amboise. The adjudicators this year are President of the Jury, Chris Jeans (UK), Luc Vertommen and Roger Webster. The march competition will be judged by Peter Collins, who will also adjudicate the outside entertainment performances in the afternoon.

The weekend commences on Friday evening with a welcoming ceremony for all the bands at the Chateau d'Amboise, where the draw will take place following a mini concert performed by the Amersfoort Band.

Gala Concert

On Saturday the main competition will take place in the Beaumarchais Theatre alongside the march event in Michel Debre Place. In the afternoon all the bands will perform their outside entertainment programmes.

The competitive elements will be rounded off with a Gala Concert on Saturday evening which will feature Paris Band before the announcement of the results.

On Sunday a festival of brass will take place in front of the Chateau d' Amboise performed by Brass Band Atout Vent conducted by William Houssoy.

Championship Section:


Set Work: Dynasty (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Luc Vertommen, Roger Webster

Paris Brass Band (Laurent Douvre)
Exo Brass (Mathias Charton)

First Section:


Set Work: The Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Luc Vertommen, Roger Webster

Brass Band Atout Vent (William Houssoy)
Amersfoort (Vincent Verhaege)

Third Section:


Set Work: Napoleon on the Alps (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Luc Vertommen, Roger Webster

Brass Band Berry (Oliver Bougain)
Brass Band De La Vienne (Mathias Charton)
Cadences Brass (Nicolas Biget)

Fourth Section:


Set Work: Saint-Saens Variations (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Luc Vertommen, Roger Webster

London City Brass (Andrew Brittin)
Brass Band Oceane (Pascal Piedefer)

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    


Imogen Whitehead

Interview with Imogen Whitehead

June 11 • 4BR catches up with the trumpet and flugel soloist ahead of her appearances at the Ryedale Festival — which includes the world premiere of a new flugel concerto with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.


Open

Demand high for British Open tickets

June 11 • Tickets for the 2026 British Open are being snapped up well ahead of the event in September.


Fodens

Jeffers takes horn lead at Foden's

June 11 • Grace Jeffers makes the solo horn seat her own at the North West champion.


Cory

Cory add Hutcherson experience to cornet section

June 11 • The experienced Jeff Hutcherson has joined the Welsh champion from BTM Band.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

June 13 • We are looking for a Bb TUBA player to join our friendly,enthusiastic,progressive 1st section band.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday and held in our own bandroom.. We have a varied but realistic calendar planned with possible overseas trip in 2027


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

June 12 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director


Linthwaite Band

June 11 • We are currently looking for a flugel horn player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting band, with a busy schedule of contests and engagements coming up throughout the year.


David Frame


Bass/Tenor Trombone Player, Adjudicator (Member of AoBBA) Occasional Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd