As Stavanger prepares to welcome Europe’s finest brass bands for the European Brass Band Championships, contestants and attendees are no doubt looking forward to the musical experience. Naturally, there is also a social element to an event like this that for many is just as, if not more important.
Concerts
On 3 May, some of Europe’s best, young brass players assemble at Viste, outside Stavanger to form the European Youth Brass Band for 2025. Everyone in the region can experience their music at Sunde/Kvernevik bydelshus Monday 5 May and in Sandnes Kulturhus 7 May. Tasta Skolekorps will join them Monday and for the concert in Sandnes they will be alongside the local Riska Brass Band and Rogaland Ungdomskorps.
Wrap yourself in the music, as some of Norway’s top brass bands host a midnight concert in the St. Petri Curch. Here you will find Bjørsvik Brass, Tertnes Brass, and Manger Musikklag. You can hear them 9 May.
Festival Area
During this year’s EBBC there will be a festival area just outside Stavanger Konserthus, designed to bring the spirit of the event to everyone.
From 9-11 May, the area outside Stavanger Konserthus will transform into a vibrant gathering place for everyone in Stavanger. With a varied programme of concerts, workshops, food and activities – this outdoor area is set to become a central meeting place throughout the championship weekend.
In between performances, visitors can enjoy a range of culinary offerings from local food trucks, as well as sweet treats and refreshments sold by local school bands. If you’ve never tried a traditional Norwegian svele (a kind of thick pancake), this is your chance – best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee.
Comfortable seating areas, including outdoor bean bags, will provide space for relaxation and socialising throughout the event.
The festival area will showcase performances from some exciting Norwegian ensembles from the youth and contemporary brass scene, including the European Youth Brass Band (EYBB), Nordvest Ungdomsbrassband, PULSE, Manger Folkehøgskule, Soundlab, and Blåsemafian. The latter will lead a workshop on Saturday from 15:00 – 16:15, followed by a concert at 18:00 in the evening. Several local bands will perform throughout the week, showcasing the vast and diverse brass band community in Norway.
The weekend will conclude with a farewell concert on Sunday at 15:00, open to all and marking the end of what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of brass music and community.
The festival area is free and open to the public, inviting everyone—locals and visitors alike—to take part in this celebration of brass band culture.
Whether you want to relax, eat svele, listen to music, get your favourite band’s logo painted on you, or take a world class selfie with the events picture frame on top of the amphitheatre, we trust the festival area will get you in good spirits.
For full programme
https://ebbc.musikkorps.no/
https://ebba.eu.com/ebbc/