Festival Brass Band will head to the Belgian National Brass Band Championships in Heist-op-den-Berg on 29th November with a new partnership at its helm.

Musical Director Senne La Mela will take the principal cornet seat for their top section contest appearance, with Luc Vertommen taking the baton as guest conductor.

Not unfamiliar

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It follows the unexpected withdrawal of our principal cornet, with Senne offering to step into the vacant position to maintain stability within the ensemble."

It is however not an unfamiliar role, as he previously played both soprano and principal cornet with the band — including their appearance at the 2009 European Championships.

Flexible

Speaking about the move he told 4BR: "Sometimes you have to be flexible and do what's best for the band. I'm happy to take the principal cornet seat for this contest, and I'm looking forward to working with Luc, who I know will get the best out of me as a player and the band as a whole."

The collaboration also has a local connection: Festival Brass Band rehearses in Deurne and works closely with Academic Brass and the Deurne Music Academy, where Luc Vertommen serves as Director.

Huge credit

Luc admitted that the phone call still came as a surprise, although he is now looking forward to the contest. "That call was a bit of shock, but I'm now really looking forward to preparing the band over the next few weeks. They are a very fine band and a huge credit to Senne's leadership."

Meanwhile, Band Chairperson, Bernd van Echelpoel added: "The fact that Senne proposed this solution himself and that Luc was willing to conduct us means a great deal.

We are extremely grateful to both of them for their commitment and the confidence they have shown in our band."

We are extremely grateful to both of them for their commitment and the confidence they have shown in our bandBand Chairperson, Bernd van Echelpoel

Thanks

Bernd also took the opportunity to thank Annelies De Bock of De Broodkorf, a former member of the band's trombone section, for her support as project sponsor of this year's championship appearance.