After the European Youth Brass Band have assembled early in the week, the competitive element of the championships begins with the Final of the European Composer Competition on the Thursday evening. Three finalists were selected from the 16 first round entrants and making the important decisions, following a performance of the three pieces by the Cory Band, will be the highly distinguished jury panel of Edward Gregson (England), Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen (Norway) and Vaida Striaupaitė-Beinarienė (Lithuania). Of course, there is also an audience prize, so be there if you want input into the results.

To judge the Championship Set Test see the highly talented trio of Bertrand Moren (Switzerland), Margie Antrobus (Norway) and Thomas Ludescher (Austria). Each juror will bring a unique perspective to the panel will have a very clear mind-picture of how excellence should sound.

For the Challenge Section on the Saturday morning, we see Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen return, joined by Chair of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators, Brett Baker (England). Later on the Saturday, a fresh and highly experienced judging team of Andrew Duncan (Scotland), David Thornton (England) and Thomas Doss (Austria) will make the important decisions on the fearsome task of judging the Championship Own Choice.

Making the important decisions in the Youth Competitions on the Sunday see the return of Andrew Duncan, Bertrand Moren, Brett Baker and Thomas Ludescher.

Chair of the EBBA Music Commission, Chris King, commented: “The Music Commission is delighted that we have been able to secure the services of such an impressive, and musically diverse, body of jury members for the Festival in Palanga. They bring many years of experience as performers, composers and conductors to the events.”

European Composer Competition
Edward Gregson
Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Vaida Striaupaitė-Beinarienė

Championship – Set Test
Bertrand Moren
Margie Antrobus
Thomas Ludescher

Championship – Own Choice
Andrew Duncan
David Thornton
Thomas Doss

Challenge Section
Brett Baker
Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen

Youth – Development
Bertrand Moren
Andrew Duncan

Youth – Premier
Brett Baker
Thomas Ludescher