The current reigning European Champions, Belgium’s Brass Band Willebroek has announced that star horn payer Lesley Howie will be playing with the band as they defend their title in Stavanger this weekend.

Bucking the trend

Bucking the trend somewhat in exporting their own talented players to perform with the bands in the UK such as Bert van Thienen with Black Dyke and Raf Van Looveren with Sellers, they have decided to import one of the very best tenor horn players in the business to help them out.

A spokesperson for the band told 4BR: "Lesley Howie is filling up a vacant position and we welcome her to the band for this contest."

Lesley Howie is filling up a vacant position and we welcome her to the band for this contestBrass Band Willebroek

Returnees

Meanwhile, the tuba section has been strengthened by the return of Bernd Van Echelpoel after a short break. Bernd is the professional tuba player of the Holland Sinfonia and winner of the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland. The band also announce the return of Serge Rigaumont back to the band after finishing his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp.