Die Fanfarenvereinigung Christian Fanfare Concordia aus dem niederländischen Dorf Middelstum wurde 1919 gegründet und tritt heute in der höchsten Liga an. Unter der Leitung von Dirigent Richard Visser, der selbst Trompeter ist, hat sich der ursprünglich lokale Bläserchor zu einem regionalen Ensemble entwickelt, dessen Mitglieder aus einem größeren Umkreis stammen. Trotz des erweiterten Einzugsgebiets prägen Gemeinschaftsgefühl und lokale Verbundenheit weiterhin das Vereinsleben, was sich in einer aktiven Nachwuchsarbeit zeigt. Das Orchester strebt eine hohe Amateurqualität an und nimmt regelmäßig an Wettbewerben wie den Niederländischen Offenen Fanfarenmeisterschaften teil, wo es 2025 den dritten Platz erreichte. Neben Auftritten veranstaltet Concordia eigene Projekte, darunter das jährliche Weihnachtskonzert *Sterren Stralen*. Die angeschlossene Straßenkapelle *De Blaauwbloezen* tritt bei Festumzügen wie dem Sinterklaas-Fest auf.

Christian Music Association Eendracht Maakt Macht (EMM) from Oudega(Súdwest-Fryslân) is a leading brass band with a rich history and strong regionalroots. Founded in 1898, the band has grown into a first division orchestra witharound 50 members from Oudega and surrounding towns. EMM achieved varioushighlights over the years. In 2010 and 2011, EMM won the Open Dutch FanfareChampionships (ONFK). In 2019, EMM won the Survento Festival. In 2022, underthe direction of conductor Jaap Musschenga, EMM became champion in the FirstDivision at the ONFK, and in 2025, secured second place. EMM is known for itsinnovative projects. Collaborations with artists such as Micheline Van Hautem (Brel& Brass) and the 2024 production Shaffy & Brass show how EMM merges traditionalbrass music with other genres. The 125th anniversary in 2023 was celebrated witha special concert in Theater Sneek, featuring the premiere of EleMentuM,composed especially for EMM by Austrian composer Thomas Doss. With a strongfocus on youth education and musical excellence, EMM remains a vibrant andleading musical presence in Súdwest-Fryslân. Dirigent | Jaap Musschenga

Christelijke Muziekvereniging Oranje from Grootegast (NL) is a young, vibrant and active Fanfare Band which puts in first place having fun in making music together. The band has made a lot of progress over the last 20 years. The band entered the 1st division in 2014 and after that they became Dutch Champion in 2016 and, as debutant in the 1st division, World Champion during the edition of the WMC in 2017. In 2022 Oranje became 2nd at just 0,17 points behind the World champion. In 2023 and in 2024 Oranje became Dutch Open Fanfare Champion. Besides acting in competitions, the band regularly plays concerts in their hometown Grootegast. Conductor Jan Werkman has led the band since October 2020. The musicians and conductor have been preparing for this WMC with a lot of enthusiasm. Besides the test piece by Kevin Houben, the band will perform a brand-new composition by Jan Van der Roost. The Belgian composer wrote this beautiful piece especially for Oranje and their participation in this WMC. The piece can be seen as innovative because it’s based on a poem that Merel Morre wrote on request of Oranje. Soloist Melissa van Voorst (soprano) will sing these touching words. Dirigent | Jan Werkman

Musical passion at the highest level Fanfare De Eendracht Den Ilp strives to provide audiences and musicians with beautiful fanfare music, always delivering our best. We aim for the highest level, staying connected with each other and our audience. Together with conductor Marcel Visser, we create extraordinary concerts with passion and commitment. When music, energy, and connection come together, something beautiful emerges. De Eendracht Den Ilp has won the Dutch Fanfare Championship three times and became World Champion in 2022 with 94.15 points in the 1st Division Fanfare at the WMC. In 2023, the orchestra earned first place with 92.75 points and ‘Jury’s Praise’ at the concert competition in Veldhoven. Concerts and events Participation in prestigious events is key to De Eendracht’s activities, but the orchestra is also active locally. Every year, we host a gala concert with renowned artists and perform on May 4 at the remembrance ceremonies in Landsmeer and Amsterdam (Noorderkerk). Additionally, we organize the Trilveen Festival every spring, offering musicians and enthusiasts a chance to enjoy beautiful wind music in a relaxed setting. We look forward to preparing for and participating in the World Music Contest in 2026, where we aim to defend our world title in the 1st Division Fanfare. Dirigent | Marcel Visser

Seit ihrer Gründung 1912 ist die Fanfare Sint Caecilia Guttecoven ein fester Bestandteil des örtlichen Gemeinschaftslebens. Neben der musikalischen Gestaltung lokaler Veranstaltungen legt das Ensemble Wert auf ein hohes künstlerisches Niveau und konnte bereits mehrfach Erfolge feiern, darunter den Sieg beim World Music Contest 1985. Ein besonderes Anliegen ist die Vorbereitung auf Auftritte wie den im renommierten Rodahal.

Koninklijke Fanfare St. Caecilia Puth 150 jaar muziek met lef, klasse en vernieuwing De Koninklijke Fanfare St. Caecilia uit Puth is geen gewone dorpsfanfare. In 2024 vierden wij ons 150-jarig jubileum. Anderhalve eeuw aan muziek, traditie én vernieuwing. Maar we zijn allesbehalve vastgeroest in het verleden, onze vereniging bruist! Met trots spelen we in de eerste divisie. We behaalden zelfs twee wereldtitels op het prestigieuze Wereld Muziek Concours (WMC) in Kerkrade, in 1997 én 2013. Daarnaast staan we al meer dan 10 jaar bekend om ons eigen concertconcept L’Adventure Musicale, waarin we telkens opnieuw grenzen verleggen met verrassende muziek, artiesten en show. Recent wonnen we The Beat, een wedstrijd voor vernieuwende muziekkorpsen. De uitdaging was om een spetterend programma neer te creëren voor een festivalpodium met als hoofdprijs een optreden met DJ La Fuente op het Zomerparkfeest Venlo op 10 augustus. Een mijlpaal waar we enorm trots op zijn. Wat ons bijzonder maakt, is ons uitdagende en gevarieerde repertoire, dat zowel jonge als ervaren muzikanten inspireert. Met een enthousiaste en talentvolle groep jeugdleden bouwen we vol vertrouwen aan de toekomst. Na een dirigentenwissel in 2022 zijn wij verheugd om samen met onze dirigent Fried Dobbelsteijn, tijdens dit WMC onze muzikale klanken in Kerkrade opnieuw te laten klinken. Dirigent | Fried Dobbelstein

Meterik is a small, close-knit village community of 1,700 residents, located in the northern part of Limburg and nestled between 'de Peel' and 'de Maas'. Muziekvereniging Concordia was founded here in 1920. Today, the association comprises a brass band and a percussion ensemble. Both ensembles regularly perform concerts and participate in various regional and national music competitions. In recent years, Concordia has also produced several large-scale musical productions, often in collaboration with other cultural disciplines. The brass band currently consists of around 60 musicians and has been performing at the First Division level since 1994. Since 2013, Concordia has been under the musical direction of conductor Chris Derikx. Dirigent | Chris Derikx

Muziekvereniging Eendracht Eerbeek was founded on December 26th 1898 and for over 125 years it has been a cultural cornerstone in their hometown. The largest orchestra of Eendracht is the fanfare orchestra which, since 2022, is led by conductor Paul van Gils. Since 1948, Eendracht has competed continuously in the highest division of the Royal Dutch Music Association and the ambitious orchestra is always in for new challenging projects. This is why in 2026 Eendracht will compete in the prestigious World Music Contest (WMC) for the second time in their existence. More than 70 years after their first participation this is a great chance for this young and vibrant orchestra. The ambition is to participate with as many own members as possible in order to achieve musical growth that lasts. Dirigent | Paul van Gils