EBBA reveals composers for 2019 ‘European’
The composers commissioned by the Swiss Brass Band Association to provide the set test-pieces for the 2019 European Brass Band Championships in Stravinsky Hall, Montreux, from 26 - 27 April, 2019. Ludovic Neurohr for the Championship Section and Mario Bürki for the Challenge Section.
A prolific composer for brass and wind bands, Ludovic Neurohr started playing the cornet with his local village brass band, La Marcelline, in the Valais canton. His cornet teacher was Géo-Pierre Moren and, between 2001 and 2005, he was repiano cornet for Brassband Treize Etoiles. Following graduation in 2008 from the Tibor Varga Music Academy in Sion, Ludovic Neurohr gained an MA in composition from Salford University, where his teachers included Peter Graham and Robin Dewhurst. His work, Whirl, was awarded of second prize at the 2009 European Composers’ Contest in Oostende, and As a Glow gained him audience and band prizes at the same competition in 2015, in Freiburg. Ludovic continues to work extensively with leading brass and wind bands, ensembles and soloists throughout Europe.
Mario Bürki is a graduate of the Berne Conservatory, and works as a conductor of wind bands, a trumpet teacher and a composer. His first major work, Scenes of Max and Moritz, was awarded second prize in a composition organised by the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Lucerne. Two of his works, Cap Hoorn und 1405 and Der Brand vion Bern, were premièred at the Mid-Europe Conference in Schladming and several of his wind and brass band commissions have been chosen as test-pieces.
EBBA and the Swiss Brass Band Association have also announced that Véronique Gyger will be the conductor of the 2019 European Youth Brass Band. Véronique Gyger studied piano, music theory and cornet at the Conservatoire of Sion, continuing her studies in the UK with Phillip McCann and Peter Parkes. In March 1986, she was appointed principal cornet of Brass Band Berner Oberland - a position she held for ten years. She has taught at the Saanenland-Obersimmental Music School for over 30 years and was appointed Assistant Director in 2011. She has also served as chair of the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland for seven years and conducted Brass Band Berner Oberland Junior from 2001 to 2004. Véronique Gyger is currently resident conductor of the Ensemble de Cuivres Euphonia and of the Musique Militaire of Rougemont.
