Kerkrade World Music Contest
11 July
Wingates band has been given the incredible opportunity to participate in the Kerkrade World Music Contest, competing against the best bands in the World.
More than two hundred bands and ensembles from all over the world will travel to Kerkrade from 9th July to 2nd August 2026 to take part in the 75th anniversary World Music Contest (WMC).
Brass bands
The four-yearly event will include four brass band competitions, with the draws for each being made on 22nd November. Tickets will be available from January 2026.
The organisers told 4BR that there had been a 40% increase in entries compared to 2022 — returning the event to its pre-covid levels of participation from bands and ensembles from across the globe.
Björn Bus, Artistic Director of WMC, stated: “In previous editions, the lower divisions were particularly large, but for 2026, we see strong representation from the higher divisions — the First Division and the Concert Division. This emphasizes the high quality of the field.”
First Division:
Brass Band du Hainaut (France)
Brassband Bacchus (Belgium)
Brassband Breukelen (Netherlands)
Brassband Gloria Dei (Netherlands)
Brassband Merum (Netherlands)
Brassband Oefening en Uitspanning (Netherlands)
Brassband Pro Rege Heerenveen (Netherlands)
Ensemble de Cuivres Ambitus (Switzerland)
Mercator Brassband (Belgium)
Oakland University Brass Band (United States)
Wingates Band (England)
Throughout the Year we will be doing various Fundraising opportunities to raise money to get us to the Contest, if you would like to help look out for our events on the website and social media accounts or email us at wingatesbrassband@gmail.com