Have your say on playlist for European Online Brass Band Festival

Brass enthusiasts are in for a treat on Friday 7 to Sunday 9 May as they will be able to enjoy the unique energy and flavour of the annual European Brass Band Championships (EBBA) from their homes.

The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) and principal partner World of Brass have joined forces to present a European Online Brass Band Festival free to view via World of Brass streaming service wobplay.

And you can have a say in what contest pieces you would like to hear played during the event.

The playlist already includes inspiring performances from some of Europe’s best youth bands and there are some outstanding highlights from the Challenge section to share. There will also be a chance to see how the careers of prize-winners of the European Soloist Championships have developed.

However, at the heart of every EBBC are the set test piece and own choice contests. Some of the commissioned works have become brass band classics and the own-choice contest is one of the most keenly anticipated and exciting occasions of the brass band year.

EBBA is seeking your help to prepare the playlists from previous competitions, to recreate something of their unique atmosphere with their combination of high skill and high-octane energy.

So you are being invited to vote for your favourite set test piece and own-choice performance, each from a list of six pieces from the years 2003-2019, nominated by two panels of EBBC players, conductors, media and organisers.

The festival playlist from your votes will also determine, in your collective opinion, the ultimate test piece composition and own-choice performance since 2003.

To vote for your two favourites – and to see the full list of candidate music – visit the EBBA website via www.ebba.eu.com/polls – the poll closes on Friday 26 March.

EBBA president Ulf Rosenberg commented: “The global pandemic continues to disrupt normal life. Sadly, we had to cancel EBBC in Palanga last year and in Malmö in May, so we are delighted to be able to produce a packed weekend of online events for everyone to enjoy.”

Hosts for the festival weekend will be the inimitable Frank Renton with respected tenor horn soloist and teacher Helen Varley.