Another member of the traditional heirarchy of European banding secured their place at the European Championships in Montreux in 2019, as Brass Band Willebroek won the Begian National Championship on the weekend.
Held at the CC Zwaneberg venue in Heist-op-den-Berg and organised by VLAMO (the Flemish Association of Nonprofessional Music Bands and Musicians), 12 bands performed over the two days producing high levels of performances in each of the four sections of competition.
Outstanding performances
Directed by Frans Violet Brass Band Willebroek secured the honours with a brace of outstanding performances of the set-work, 'REWrite RELapse' by Stan Nieuwenhuis and their own-choice of 'Concerto for Brass Band' by Roland Szentpali.
By topping both elements of the contest it gave them a commanding margin of victory from judges Dr Robert Childs, Mareika Gray and Reid Gilje over runner-up, Festival Brass Band, with Nord Limburgse Brass Band in third.
There was a double celebration for Willebreok, as their sibling Young Brass Band Willebroek too the Second Division title, whilst the sole entrant Mercator Brass Band was presented with the Third Section accolade.
In a keenly fought First Division battle it was Brass Band Scaldis that came out on top from Brass Band Bacchus and Brass Band Gent.
Results:
Championship Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Mareika Gray, Reid Gilje
Set Work + Own Choice = Total (percentage out of 600 marks)
1. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet): 291/291 = 582 (97.0%)
2. Festival Brass Band (N/K): 288/282 = 570 (95.0%)
3. Nord Limburgse Brass Band (N/K): 279/276 = 555 (92.50%)
4. Brass Band Leieland (N/K): 285/264 = 549 (91.50%)
5. Brass Band Zele (N/K): 273/267 = 540 (90.0%)
6. Brass Band Heist (N/K): 267/261 = 528 (88.0%)
7. Kortrijk Brass Band (N/K): 264/258 = 522 (87.0%)
Best Percussion: Brass Band Leieland
First Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Mareika Gray, Reid Gilje
1. Brass Band Scaldis (N/K): 279/279 = 558 (93.0%)
2. Brass Band Bacchus (N/K): 282/267 = 549 (91.50%)
3. Brass Band Gent (N/K): 276/264 = 540 (90.0%)
4. Kon BB Grensbewoners Smeermas (N/K): 249/240 = 489 (81.50%)
5. Braz' Art (N/K): 258/222 = 480 (80.0%)
6. Brass Band Panta Rhei (N/K): 240/228 = 468 (78.0%)
Second Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Mareika Gray, Reid Gilje
1. Young Brass Band Willebroek (N/K): 273/285 = 558 (93.0%)
2. Brass Band Euterpe (N/K): 234/246 = 480 (80.0%)
Third Division:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Mareika Gray, Reid Gilje
1. Mercator Brass Band (N/K): 272/268 = 540 (90.0%)
