NIBandsAssociation1 day ago48th European Brass Band Championships 2027, to be held in Montreux, Switzerland from Saturday 24 April until Sunday 2 May 2027
Dear Secretary,
The organisers of the 2027 European Brass Band Championship will be inviting talented young musicians to participate in the 23rd European Youth Brass Band (EYBB) as detailed above. The NIBA will be putting forward a number of nominations to the EYBB organisers on behalf of the NIBA.
Each player wishing to be nominated must submit a video performance or audition to Andrew Gamble at andrewgamble710@btinternet.com by Saturday 21st of November 2026.
Video auditions
Each nominated player must do a video performance or ‘audition’, so the Music Commission and
local organiser can hear each player to ensure that the assessment and selection of players is
based on musical proficiency when there is high competition for seats in the band – cornets are an
obvious example.
The videos must not be edited, and the piece performed no longer than 3 minutes in total duration –
3 minutes is long enough to hear the capability of a player. The video should show off the best the
player has to offer.
The videos do not need a piano or band accompaniment, but if it helps the player, this is fine.
The requirement for the video audition is not meant to be time-consuming, but purely a way of
making the selection process for EYBB fairer.
A link to the video must be included in the nomination form. The players can use the platform they
choose, but the link must be legible for the recipient (please make the expiry date 1 May 2027).
Here is some information on the organisation:
Finances
There is no charge for tuition, accommodation, meals, events and activities in Montreux.
The musicians or supporting organisation must cover the travel expenses of their participants to and
from Montreux, Switzerland. Travel costs will be subsided by the NIBA and Brass Band Northern Ireland.
Selection of players
All nominated players must be aged between 18 and 22 years, for the EYBB 2027.
In practice that means that the nominees must be born after June 1 2005, and before
April 1 2009.
The final playing positions within the band will be decided by the video auditions and a seating
audition held from noon onwards on Saturday 24th April 2027.
Dates
Saturday 24 April: Arrival of players and subsequent seating audition.
Details will follow selection of band.
Saturday evening: First rehearsal with the EYBB 2027.
Sunday evening 2nd May: Time tba - departure from Montreux and travel home. Accommodation will be available until Monay 3rd May.
Please note players must be available for the complete duration of the week.
No exceptions will be made.
This is open to all Brass instrumentalists and Tuned Percussionists.
Travel costs will be subsided by the NIBA and the Brass Band Northern Ireland. For the young musicians who are successful in getting to participate this is a unique opportunity that has both musical and social benefits.
I would ask that you forward the details to myself of all young people in your band who wish to audition:
Name, date of birth, band played for, address, telephone numbers, (landline and mobile), and email address.
The NIBA would request that all expressions of interest are returned to Andrew Gamble asap.
Email : andrewgamble710@btinternet.com
Tel 07784574108
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Regards
___Richard Whiteside_____________
Richard Whiteside
NIBA General SecretaryNIBandsAssociation3 weeks agoSome photographs taken yesterday at the awards presentations at the Championship of Ireland Bands Association.NIBandsAssociation3 weeks agoYesterday, Saturday 24th October, was the second Saturday of the Irish Championship contest in the Market Place Theatre in Armagh. The day was well supported with many members of the general public in the theatre listening to the performances. Most of the bands played an own choice programme which makes for a wide range of music. The second grade and Championship sections did play set test pieces which were also very good pieces and enjoyable to listen to. The adjudicator was Mr Richard Yarr who complimented all of the performances and particularly mentioned our Championship flute bands. He congratulated all of the bands who took part and praised the association on running an excellent contest day.
The results for the contest yesterday are as follows:
Melody Flute
Adjudication only Ballycoan Flute Band 175 points
Melody Plus Flute
Adjudication only Ballycoan Flute Band 171 points
Second Grade Accordion
1st Place John Hunter Memorial Accordion Band 173 points
Grade 4 Concert Bands
1st Place Ardee Concert Band Intermezzio Ensemble 171 points
Championship Accordion
1st Place East Antrim Seniors Accordion Orchestra 180 points
Championship Concert
1st Place Northern Ireland Concert Band 190 points
2nd Place Ardee Concert Band 184 points
Second Grade Flute
1st Place Ballywalter Flute Band 1st 7points
2nd Place Lord Londonderry's own CLB Concert Flute Band 184 points
Best interpretation Prize Ballywalter Flute
Best Percussion Prize Lord Londonderry's Own CLB Concert Flute Band
World Championship Flute
1st Place Ballygowan Concert Flute Band 191 points
2nd Place Ballylone Concert Flute Band 185 points
3rd Place Ballymena Young Conquerors Concert Flute Band 180 points
4th Place Hunter Moore Memorial Flute Band 179 points
Best Percussion Prize Ballygowan Flute
Best interpretation Prize Ballygowan Flute
Best Picolo Prize Ballygowan Flute
Best Solo Alto Prize Ballylone Flute
Best Overall band of the day Ballygowan FluteNIBandsAssociation4 weeks agoNext Saturday, 24th October, sees the Irish Championship contest continue in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh with the Accordion, Concert and Flute sections. The Championship Concert Flute section is recognized as the World Championship for Concert Flute Bands. The day begins at 11.00am with the Melody and Melody Plus Flutes and continues through the morning with 2nd Grade Accordion, 4th grade Concert, Championship accordion and Championship Concert bands.
After the break for lunch we have the Grade 2 Flute section at 2.30pm followed by the World Championship for Concert Flute Bands. The adjudicator is the well known Richard Yarr. Please come along and support this event. All day admission is only £6 with a concession price for children and pensioners.NIBandsAssociation4 weeks agoA big thank you to the Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Alderman Lavelle McIwrath for visiting the Market Place Theatre in Armagh yesterday to support the 108th Championship of Ireland Bands contest. He really enjoyed the time spent and hopes to attend again next Saturday if his calander allows. A photo below taken in the theatre with NIBA Association General Secretary, Richard Whiteside and Executive Committee member, Robert McMurray.
Events
NIBA Contest 2026
Market Place Theatre, Armagh
Saturday 17th October (Brass and Community Bands)
Adjudicator.Richard Marshall
Saturday 24th October (Flutes, Accordion, Concert and Community Bands)
Adjudicator. Richard Yarr