From 18 to 26 April 2026, Linz and Upper Austria will become the centre of the European brass band scene as musicians, educators, and audiences from across the continent gather for an international festival celebrating youth, excellence, and musical diversity.
The program brings together the European Youth Brass Band, leading European ensembles, emerging soloists, and music professionals for nine days of competitions, concerts, educational activities, and public events at renowned venues including the Brucknerhaus Linz, Linz Main Square, and locations throughout Upper Austria.
The festival opens with the arrival and assembly of the European Youth Brass Band and continues with the European Soloist Competition, whose rounds and final showcase outstanding young soloists in the Brucknerhaus.
Landesmusikschulwerk – workshops and exhibition
Educational exchange plays a central role. 200 brass teachers’ will be meeting for workshops and exhibitions Thursday 23 April in the Brucknerhaus.
Please find the full program in this link: FULL PROGRAM TEACHERS WORKSHOPS
Concerts
A strong concert program runs alongside the competitions, featuring collaborations with regional youth ensembles, district wind bands, and international guest bands, including performances in Eferding and Ried im Innkreis.
Public highlights include open-air concerts and a marching parade on Linz’s Main Square, the festive Brass Mile, and a major Gala Concert followed by award ceremony.
European Brass Band Championships
A composers’ talk led by Oliver Waespi in dialogue with Thomas Doss and Andreas Ziegelbäck, the composers of the set-test pieces for the Championship and Challenge sections, will give a good start for the second half of the week that is dedicated to the European Brass Band Championships. 30 bands will participate in the 47th edition of the European Brass Band Championships with Championship, Challenge, Development and Premier Sections presented at the Brucknerhaus.
The festival concludes with a Farewell Concert featuring the European Youth Brass Band and the Austrian National Youth Brass Band, marking the close of a week that combines artistic excellence, international cooperation, and a vibrant celebration of brass music.
For full program, please visit:
https://ebbc2026.at/events-schedule/