EBBA President Ulf Rosenberg, has told 4BR that he is looking forward to the European Championships in Stavanger — which officially start today with the assembly and first rehearsal of the European Youth Band in the city.

"We are all looking forward very much to a week of wonderful European Brass music making," said Ulf.

European Youth Band

The European Youth Brass Band will rehearse and perform throughout the coming week, conducted by Reid Gilje and will be performing a special concert together with Rogaland County Youth Band in Fredheim Arena in Sandnes on Wednesday April 30th.

They will also perform at the Gala Concert for the European Conductors Competition next Thursday, followed by the opening ceremony on Friday. They will also be part of the Grand Gala Concert on Saturday and the Farewell Concert on the Sunday.

Talented musicians

Ulf added: "The purpose of the EYBB is to bring together talented young musicians from all over Europe, and this week a band of 40 will be gathered in Stavanger.

All have been chosen by their respective countries on the basis of their talents and skills. The countries represented in the project are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Wales, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia."

The European Brass Band Championships and the Grand Gala Concert are already sold out, although there might be some few tickets available on the day of the event. No reservations will be made for theseUlf Rosenberg

EBBA Open Conference

Meanwhile, the EBBA Open Conference will be held on Friday May 2nd where the Norwegian Band Federation will give a presentation of its main activities in this special year as the European Capital of Culture 2008.

The Norwegian federation has succeeded to take on several major projects with substantial support from and the conference will also particularly focus on the brass band and electronica-project 'Between Acoustic and Electronica'.

The EBBA board will also give the latest news on the EBBA EU-application and ongoing projects, such as they plan to integrate ethnic minorities in the band movement.

Tickets
Tickets for the EBBC events can be booked on www.musikkorps.no/ebbc2008.

Ulf said: "There are still available tickets for the European Conductors Competition Final, the European Party and the Farewell Concert."

Delight

He was delighted to add however that the other events are sold out. "The European Brass Band Championships and the Grand Gala Concert are already sold out, although there might be some few tickets available on the day of the event. No reservations will be made for these."