Today at EBBC 2026, the spotlight is firmly on the next generation of brass musicians. With the EYBBC Premier Section and Development Section, the European Brass Band Championships celebrate talent, dedication, and the future of brass band music.
In the EYBBC Development Section, younger youth bands take to the stage with a 20-minute programme, also including a set test piece. This section provides an important platform for emerging musicians to gain experience and demonstrate their growing artistry, with a Best Soloist prize awarded here as well.
The EYBBC Premier Section showcases senior youth bands performing a demanding 25-minute programme, including a set test piece. These performances highlight not only ensemble excellence but also individual brilliance, as bands may feature a soloist—competing for the award for Best Soloist.
The day concludes in the Main Hall of the Brucknerhaus Linz with the Farewell Concert and Award Ceremony at 16:30.
The concert features two outstanding ensembles:
European Youth Brass Band
Conductor: Karl Geroldinger
- J.J. Richards / arr. Roy Newsome: Shield of Liberty
- Ludovic Neurohr: Behind the Curtain
- Ron Goodwin / arr. Ray Woodfield: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
- Michael Giacchino / arr. Philip Harper: The Incredibles
Austrian Youth Brass Band
Conductor: Dr. Robert Childs
- Bridget Fry / arr. Ray Farr: Softly, Softly
- Jonathan Bates: By Water and the World
- Gareth Wood: Sosban Fach
- Dean Jones: Glorifico Aeternum
This celebratory finale brings together young musicians from across Europe, marking the culmination of the EBBC 2026 in Linz with an inspiring day dedicated to youth, music, and the future of brass banding.
