British Brass Bands Around the World (Europe)

  Hello lads! Welcome back to another brass ensemble blog. Today we will continue looking at British brass band traditions across the world! Lets start todays journey with one of Belgiums most famous brass bands, Brass Band Willebroek.

  

Brassband Willebroek performing Euroflash in the 2022

In Belgium, there are about 30 brass bands. The best known is Brass Band Willebroek, who were crowned European Brass Band Champions in 1993, 2006 and 2007. The average banding level is still rising, as the brass movement was only introduced in Belgium some 30 years ago.

Program notes: Energetic, brass-driven writing for advanced ensembles, this Grade 5 work adapts bold brass-band sonorities to Brass Band forces. Euroflash by Damien Lagger delivers bright fanfare textures, rhythmic momentum, and ensemble passages that spotlight brass sections and percussion alongside demanding wind lines. Ideal for concerts, festivals, or contest programming, the piece offers technical challenges, dynamic contrast, and opportunities for sectional feature and tight ensemble interplay. Published by Editions Marc Reift, this title makes a high-energy showpiece for advanced concert bands seeking a crowd-pleasing, virtuosic addition to their repertoire.

Next lets travel to Germany to hear a different rendition of the brass ensemble called "Posaunenchöre".

Ich steh an deiner Krippen (I stand at your manger) performed by a brass ensemble from the Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein Brass Ensemble at Christ Church in Rendsburg

A Posaunenchoris a German term for a Protestant brass choir or brass ensemble, consisting of amateur musicians who play brass instruments, including trumpets, trombones, horns, and tubas often affiliated with the church.

Lastly lets travel up north to hear one of Norways finest British style brass bands, Oslofjord Brass!

Oslofjord Brass performing Peter Graham's The Essence of Time in April 2019 at the Oslo Brassfestival

The Norwegian Band Federation is the largest voluntary music organisation in Norway. A network rich in tradition also gives them a strong and influential position in the cultural life of Norway.

I'll see you next time for a journey through the Americas!