Die australische Brassband *Australia Brass* wurde 1995 von John und Digger Thomas gegründet und galt als erste nationale Formation des Landes seit 70 Jahren. Erstmals seit 1951 wird 2025 wieder eine australische Band am renommierten *World Music Contest* (WMC) teilnehmen, wo sie mit indigener Musik und lokalen Künstlern vertreten sein wird. Von den eingeladenen Ensembles stammen nur vier aus Übersee und neun aus Europa. 2025 übernahm Dirigent Matthew van Emmerik die Leitung der neu formierten Band, die sich aus 35 Spitzenmusikern aus ganz Australien zusammensetzt und über 25 regionale Musikvereine repräsentiert. Das Repertoire betont australische Kompositionen und Solisten.

Brass Band Schoonhoven was founded in 1921 and made its debut in the Championship section in 1998. In 2005 and 2007, the band made humanitarian concert tours to South Africa, with members of the band giving lessons and concerts in the townships of Cape Town. Erik Janssen was reappointed as conductor in 2008 and from that moment the band became very successful on the contesting scene. Three wins on the Euro Brass Contest (2011, 2012 and 2013), the Flemish Open title (2012) and four successive wins on the Dutch championships (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). In 2011 the band made a dream debut at the European championships ending fourth, followed by a spectacular 3rd place at the 2012 Europeans in Rotterdam where the band won the own choice testpiece series with a unique score of 99 points. In 2014 the band made its debut at the Brass in Concert Championships and won the Entertainment Section, and came back at BiC in 2016 and 2019 to achieve top-6 finishes in both appearances. In 2019, a collaboration with MD Paul Holland became a ‘golden success’ in achieving the band’s sixth national title in ten years, followed by a 7th title in 2023 with Erik Janssen. Dirigent | Niet bekend

Frans Violet founded Brass Band Willebroek in 1979. Initially the band worked within the framework and structure of the Muncipal Music Academy of Willebroek. Since 1985, BBW has existed independently as a non-profit organisation. The band have recorded 6 studio albums. ‘Elgar Variations’ (2007), was awarded with the BBC Radio 2 ‘Brass Band Album of the Year’. As Cultural Ambassador of their city, Brass Band Willebroek have played many concerts and have entered contests all over Europe. They won the European Brass Band Championships for the first time in Plymouth in 1993. They were the first continental band ever to do so, led by a continental conductor! They regained the European title in 2006, 2007 and 2025 and are record holders with a win of 23 Belgian national titles in total. In 2017 and 2022, BBW wrote history again at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade: they are the first Belgian band ever to call themselves world champions and they are the first band to win this title twice in a row! Brass Band Willebroek have been awarded with the coveted Ultima for Amateur Arts 2022, given each year by the Flemish Government. Dirigent | Frans Violet

Five Lakes Silver Band (FLSB) is a nationally acclaimed brass band established in Rochester Hills, Michigan in 2006. The band’s name refers to the Great Lakes which surround Michigan. As well as performing in a variety of venues such as concert halls, cathedrals, amphitheaters, schools, libraries, and parks, FLSB is also a championship-level contesting band that regularly competes in the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championships, Dublin Festival of Bands (DFOB) Championships, the Hannaford Festival of Bands in Toronto, Canada, and the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships. In 2012 and 2013, FLSB won the Hannaford Cup. In 2013, the band won the First Section at the NABBA Championships, capturing its first national title. 2022 was the beginning of a new era for the band, as they were crowned Grand Champions at Dublin Festival of Brass and were awarded the Droste Shield. They successfully defended their championship at DFOB in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, making that five in a row. FLSB also won the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024, also being awarded most entertaining band in three consecutive years. In 2023, FLSB won the Championship Section at the NABBA Championships and were crowned champions of North America. Dirigent | Christopher Ward

The Flowers Band is based in Gloucester and was formed in 1968 following the disbandment of the Band of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Brass Band. Since then, the band has forged an international reputation for musical excellence and has been competing at the very highest level for over two decades. 2024 saw the band reach new heights by becoming the National Champion Band of Great Britain, following a victory at the National Finals held at The Royal Albert Hall. This was all the more historic as no band from the West of England had ever won this competition across the 124-year history. In 2026 the band will represent England at The European Brass Band Championships and the World Music Championships, both for the very first time. In concert the band has been featured at music festivals such as Three Choirs Festival, Newbury Spring Festival, Ripon International Festival, and even Bourgueil Brass Festival in the beautiful Loire Valley of France. Alongside these high-profile concerts, the Flowers Band undertakes a number of community events, such as holding Workshop Days and Masterclasses for local musicians, and collaborative events such as Contest Previews with bands across the region. Dirigent | Paul Holland

Immortal Brass Eternally is based in Osaka and Hyogo, Japan. The band is led by Musical Director Kazuyuki Kouno, a former member of the Cory Band and now a director of the Japan Brass Band Directors Association. The foundation of their artistic quality has been built through a history of collaboration with world-class soloists, including euphonium masters Steven Mead and Bastien Baumet, and international joint projects with ensembles such as Brisbane Brass. This high standard of performance has been proven in the competitive arena. Building on foundational experiences at events like the Australian National Championships, the band achieved a significant 4th place finish in the A Grade at the 2024 New Zealand National Championships. Dirigent | Kazuyuki Kouno

Founded in 1918, the Cooperation Band remains a vibrant force in Glasgow’s musical life. Originally formed to serve the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, it has grown into Scotland’s most decorated brass band. It has won the Scottish Championship a record 37 times and claimed the National Championships in 1990 and 1996. Today the band comprises highly committed amateur brass and percussion musicians, performing through both its main ensemble and its Youth Band. Its programming is wide-ranging and ambitious: it has premiered works by Jay Cappernauld, collaborated with John Wallace MBE and the Wallace Collection, and performed at events such as Glasgow Pride, all in a mission to bring brass music to new audiences. In December 2024, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler was appointed as Principal Conductor — the first woman in the band’s history to hold that role. In 2025, the band formalised a partnership with Adams Percussion, acquiring a new set of Adams instruments supplied via Graham Johns Percussion, the UK distributor. This collaboration enhances the band’s percussion capabilities and underscores its commitment to excellence. With century-old heritage, forward looking leadership, and support from world-class instrument makers, the Cooperation Band continues to inspire audiences and musicians across Scotland and beyond Dirigent | Katrina Marzella-Wheeler

Die Cory Band stammt aus dem Rhondda-Tal in Südwales und zählt zu den international führenden Brassbands. Mit zahlreichen Siegen bei bedeutenden Wettbewerben wie den europäischen, britischen und nationalen Meisterschaften sowie *Brass in Concert* gilt sie als eine der erfolgreichsten Formationen des 21. Jahrhunderts. Von 2007 bis 2023 hielt die Band ununterbrochen den ersten Platz in der Weltrangliste und schrieb 2016 sowie 2019 Geschichte, als sie alle vier großen Titel gleichzeitig gewann. Gegründet 1884 unter dem Namen *Ton Temperance*, erhielt sie 1895 durch den Bergwerksbesitzer Sir Clifford Cory finanzielle Unterstützung und benannte sich um. Seit 2012 wird die Band von Philip Harper geleitet und hat seitdem internationale Tourneen absolviert. Sie arbeitet mit Instrumentenherstellern wie Besson, Adams Percussion und Rath Trombones zusammen. Der aktuelle Dirigent ist nicht bekannt.

Wellington Brass ist ein international und national renommiertes Brass-Ensemble, das für seine innovativen Konzerte und herausragenden musikalischen Leistungen bekannt ist. Die Band hat in den letzten zehn Jahren zehn nationale Titel gewonnen, darunter sechs aufeinanderfolgende Siege in der höchsten Kategorie bei einem der ältesten Musikwettbewerbe der Welt. Neben Auftritten mit namhaften Künstlern und Orchestern engagiert sich das Ensemble in Bildungsprogrammen und bereichert das kulturelle Leben der Region durch öffentliche Konzerte an verschiedenen Orten.