Brass Band Schoonhoven

Brass Band Schoonhoven is one of the leading brass bands in The Netherlands and reigning Dutch Brass Band Champion. Originally founded in 1921 as a wind ensemble, the band transitioned into their current brass setup in 1972. Their first success came in 1995 with a victory in the 2nd Section National Championships – just three years later, they were promoted to the Championship Section. As a cultural ambassador for the city of Schoonhoven, the band has been active in both domestic and international competitions – including Brass in Concert, the All England Masters, the World Music Competition, and the European Brass Band Championships on multiple occasions. In the last 15 years, they have claimed seven National titles (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022), as well as the Brass in Concert entertainment prize (2014), the own choice portion of the Europeans (2012) and the set-test piece of the World Music Contest (2022). Aside from competitions, they have also participated in several music festivals and tours, including two humanitarian and educational trips to South Africa.

 

Erik Janssen (1966) studied at the conservatory of Amsterdam, studying trumpet with Peter Masseurs, principal trumpet player of the Royal Concertgebouw orchestra and conducting with Danny Oosterman. He started as freelance trumpet player and played with the Dutch Philharmonic Symphony orchestra, Royal Ballet Orchestra, Amsterdam Wind Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and many more. Currently Erik is Musical Director of Brass Band Schoonhoven, The Tata Steel Symphonic Wind Band and “Het Noord Nederland Jeugd Orkest” (North Netherlands Youth Wind Orchestra). Erik is also the professional conductor for both Dalmellington Band in Scotland and Rong Brass in Norway. Erik was very successful during his period (2008-2015) with Brass Band Schoonhoven. Especially in the period 2010-2013, where Brass Band Schoonhoven won all the contests it entered in the Netherlands and Belgium. Erik’s return as conductor of Brass Band Schoonhoven in 2022 began with a winning performance at the Dutch Brass Band Championships. The highlight of his time so far with Brass Band Schoonhoven was the own choice test piece performance of “Audivi Media Nocte” by Oliver Waespi, in the 2012 European Championships receiving a magnificent 99 points out of 100. Erik has been guest conducting in many countries such as England, Scotland, Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, France, Switzerland, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and Austria. Erik enjoys working with children and young talents from multiple countries including, Verao Amizade (Portugal), Lucerner Jugenbrassband (Switzerland), Swiss national youth Brass Band (Switzerland), the European Youth Brass Band and the World Youth Brass Band. As guest conductor Erik visited famous bands across Europe to conduct them in concerts and championships. Erik worked with Whitburn Band (Scotland), Woodfalls Band (England), Aldbourne Band (England), the Paris Brass Band (France), Manger Musikklag (Norway), Eikanger Bjorsvik (Norway), Brass Band Oberösterreich (Austria), Brass Band Regensburg (Germany), Brass Band 3BA (Germany) and many more. In 2016 he was the first European conductor in history to win the Grand Shield competition leading the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band to victory as their professional conductor. As adjudicator, Erik has adjudicated all major brass band events throughout Europe.