The death has been announced of Géo-Pierre Moren, a leading figure in the Swiss and European brass band movements.
In 1973, he co-founded Brass Band Treize Etoiles, leading them as Musical Director to their first Swiss National title in 1978. It was a feat repeated on six other occasions, the last in 2006.
The Swiss Open Championship was secured on five occasions, as well as a World Championship title in 2005 and Dutch Open in 2011.
Influence
In addition, his musical influence was marked throughout the Swiss banding movement, both with Brass Band Treize Etoiles Formation B, and other bands such as Fanfare Concordia Vetroz and La Perseverante de Conthey.
He was also a highly respected adjudicator, composer and educator in a career that was marked by the presentation of the Swiss Brass Band Association Merit Award in 2025. The rehearsal headquarters of Brass Band Treize Etoiles is named in his honour.
Tributes
In their tribute, the band stated: "Through his love of music, his rigor and his unwavering sense of work, he allowed the Treize Etoiles to grow, dare and shine in Switzerland as well as beyond our borders.
Recognised as a music teacher and a major figure in the brass band movement in Switzerland, he also passed on his passion to countless female musicians, leaving a precious imprint on every path he accompanied. It was under its momentum that our B Training Band was born, extending its commitment to the youth forever.
Our most sincere thoughts are with his family, to whom we send all our sympathy. Thank you, Geo, for all these years shared and for the flame you managed to light, which will continue to shine a long way through the music."
Generations
In paying their tribute the Swiss Brass Band Association said that "without the tireless work of pioneers such as Géo-Pierre Moren, the Swiss brass band scene would never have achieved the status it enjoys today.
He left his artistic mark on several generations of musicians who are shining today."
He left his artistic mark on several generations of musicians who are shining todaySwiss Brass Band Association
Major figure
The publisher Marc Reift Editions also paid tribute to the person they called, "a major figure in the Valais and Swiss musical life"who "devoted more than fifty years to music, which he served with passion, demand and generosity.
Respected and a deeply human leader, he has made a lasting mark on generations of musicians with his commitment, collective sense and sincere love of music."
Geo-Pierre Moren is survived by his daughter Jocelyne, Vice-President of the SBBA, his son Bertrand, President of the SBBA Music Commission, and his nephew Guillaume, Treasurer of the SBBA.
