Only two bands performing at the European Championship this weekend took part in the first ever European Contest in 1978 – Grimethorpe and Tredegar.

Joining the club

The following year saw Cory and Treize Etoiles make their debuts, whilst in 1980, Whitburn and Eikanger joined the club.

In 1986 Brass Band Rijnmond made their first appearance, whilst the Danes of Lyngby-Taarbeak took their first bow in 1997.

The new Millennium has seen the Elite debuts of Brass Band Aeolus in 2005 and Brass Band Oberosterreich in 2007, with Festival Brass making their debuts in 2009.

The conductor with the oldest track record this year is James Gourlay, who made his conducting debut back in 1992 with the BTM Band from Wales4BR

Oldest conductor

The conductor with the oldest track record this year is James Gourlay, who made his conducting debut back in 1992 with the BTM Band from Wales.

Next to make an appearance was Allan Withington in 1996 with Brass Band Bugermusik Luzern, whilst Robert Childs and Russell Gray took their first bows in 2001 with Cory and Ransome respectively.

Debuts

Bastien Still took his spot in 2005 with Aeolus, Hannes Buchegger and Christian Schmiedescamp joined in 2007 with Oberosterreich and Lyngby –Taarbaek and 2009 sees Ian Porthouse, Bjarte Engeset, Manu Mellaerts and Ivan Meylemans take a bow, with Tredegar, Eikanger, Festival and Rijnmond.