The organisers of the Dutch National Championships (NBK) have released recorded performances of the set-works that will test competing bands in the First, Second Third and Fourth Division of their event in Utrecht later this year.

NBK has already stated that they are "incredibly pleased", that despite the growing financial challenges faced by bands, the 45th edition has attracted an increase in competitive numbers with 40 bands taking part over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th October.

Ticket sales for the 45th NBK Championships open on October 1st.

Set works

As has been previously announced, Championship Division bands will tackle Philip Sparke's 'Perihelion: Closer to the Sun'. First Division bands will perform 'Inner Citadel' by Geert Jan Kroon, whilst 'The Necessity of Renewal' by Dennis Hazenoot will test the Second Division contenders.

Third Division bands will perform 'Spirit of Life' by Meindert Boekel arr. Philip Harper with Jan de Haan's 'Pioneers of the Past' testing the Fourth Division competitors.

Information:

Further information can be found at:
https://www.enbk.nl/NBK+2026/Deelnemers

Performances

Performances can now be enjoyed at:

First Division: Inner Citadel (Geert Jan Kroon)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeLzPa3MwYc

Second Division: The Necessity of Renewal (Dennis Hazenoot) www.youtube.com/watch?v=twrD-H-pBcw

Third Division: Spirit of Life (Meindert Boekel, arr. Philip Harper) www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5i8tkPNcv4

Fourth Division: Pioneers of the Past (Jan de Haan) www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0BikQxMVwk

the 45th edition has attracted an increase in competitive numbers with 40 bands taking part over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th October4BR

Competitors:
Championship Division:

Altena Brass (Paul van Gils)
Brass Band Schoonhoven A (Paul Holland)
Brassband De Bazuin Oenkerk (Jaap Musschenga)
Brassband De Waldsang (Rieks van der Velde)
Brassband Rijnmond (Luc Vertommen)
Brassband de Spijkerpakkenband (Anno Appelo)
Provinciale Brassband Groningen (Jan Weerkman)
Soli Brass (Anne van den Berg)

First Division:

Brassband Amersfoort (Vincent Verhage)
Brassband Breukelen (Pieter Koster)
Brassband Gloria Dei (Gerk Huisma)
Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning (Yves Wuyts)
Brassband Pro Rege A (Jan Werkman)
Chr. Brassband Excelsior (Rieks van der Velde)
Kunst naar Kracht (Olaf Ritman)

Second Division:

Backum Brass (Max Knappstein)
Brass Band Schoonhoven B (Joop Nijholt)
Brassband De Bazuin B (Martin Oostra)
Brassband Looft den Heer (Gijs Heusinkveld)
CMV Euphonia Wolvega (Gerben Pol)
Chr. Brassband Excelsior (Aline Werkman-Schipper)
De Lofklank (Koen van der Molen)
Gereformeerde Brassband Groningen (Jan Werkman)
Greidebrass (Siemen Hoekstra)
Martini Brassband (Rieks van der Velde)

Third Division:

Apollo (Piet Visser)
Blaast de Bazuin (Chris van der Veen)
Brass band Nuenen (Kobus Verheij)
Brassband Heman (Geert Jan Kroon)
Brassband Kunst & Vriendschap (Olav Dorst)
De Nije Bazun (Jaap Wils)
Koperensemble de Waldsang (Bienze Ijlstra)

Fourth Division:

Alkmaar Brass (Stefan van der Wilt)
Bernlef (Tijs Dijkstra)
Blaast de Bazuin (Piet Visser)
Brassband Pro Rege B (Hendry van Loo)
Brassband UDI (Marco Middelberg)
Brassband Wirdum (Arjen Steur)
Chr. Brassband Westersweach (Reimer Jan Rondaan)
SDG de Tike (Hendrik de Boer)