Concert contests 2026
The World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade is the international stage for wind, fanfare, and brass music.
The Concert contests of WMC 2026 are a key reference point for the global wind music sector. New developments are often set in motion here, making these contests a driving force for innovation and artistic excellence. Participation in the Concert contests is open to: Wind bands, fanfare bands, brass bands and percussion ensembles.Each section has its own requirements and is divided into Championship, Concert, First, Second and Third Divisions.
Dates – Concert contests WMC 2026
Friday 10, Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July
Friday 17, Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July
Friday 24, Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July
Thursday 30 & Friday 31 July,
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August
Register now via My WMC and take your place at the World Music Contest 2026 in Kerkrade.
Brass Bands
The Brass Band Contests at the World Music Contest (WMC) 2026 in Kerkrade are among the most competitive events of the festival. This band form, originally from England, consists exclusively of brass instruments, complemented by percussion. Participating Brass Bands compete in five divisions for a place at the absolute top and deliver impressive musical performances on the world stage.
In addition to the test piece, bands present an own choice program in which they showcase their technical and musical qualities. In the concert division, the test piece is judged by a blind jury, and the performance order is decided by draw.
Contest divisions
Concert Division – max. 12 bands (by invitation)
Test Piece – Saturday 11 July (Roda Hall)
Own Choice Program – Sunday 12 July (Roda Hall)
1st Division – max. 10 bands
Saturday 11 July (Kerkrade Theatre)
2nd Division – max. 10 bands
Sunday 12 July (Kerkrade Theatre)
3rd Division – max. 10 bands
Friday 10 July (Kerkrade Theater)
Youth Division – max. 10 bands
Friday 10 July (Roda Hall)
Percussion Ensembles
Percussion ensembles from around the world come together in Kerkrade for a unique championship: the Percussion Ensemble Contests. Over the years, the World Music Contest (WMC) has elevated this competition into a leading international event for percussion.
One of the hallmarks of the Percussion Ensemble Contests is the high level of artistic freedom. Each ensemble is free to design its own program and select the works that best showcase its musicality, creativity, and technical mastery. The result? A spectacular showcase of rhythm, sound, and showmanship, where ensembles give their all to impress both the jury and the audience.
Competition Divisions
The Percussion Ensemble Contests are divided into three divisions:
Concert Division – maximum 7 ensembles
Saturday, July 18 – Kerkrade Theatre
1st Division – maximum 8 ensembles
Sunday, July 19 – Kerkrade Theatre
2nd Division – maximum 9 ensembles
Friday, July 17 – Kerkrade Theatre
Fanfare bands
The World Music Contest in Kerkrade is the international stage for fanfare bands. The fanfare band, developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Sax (1814–1894), is a unique ensemble consisting of brass and percussion, complemented by saxophones.
Traditionally, most participating fanfare bands come from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, but ensembles from other countries also regularly compete in Kerkrade. Over the years, the Fanfare Band Contests have grown into a leading international competition for this distinctive orchestra type.
Competition Divisions
The Fanfare Band Contests are divided into four divisions:
Concert Division – maximum 7 bands
Sunday, July 26 – Roda Hall
1st Division – maximum 22 bands
Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 – Roda Hall
2nd Division – maximum 6 bands
Friday, July 17 – Roda Hall
3rd Division – maximum 7 bands
Friday, July 17 – Roda Hall
Wind Bands
Every four years, the World Music Contest in Kerkrade becomes the stage where wind bands compete with the very best from around the globe. This is wind music of the highest quality, performed by outstanding ensembles from all over the world. The wind band competitions feature the most international field of participants of the entire World Music Contest.
Competition Divisions
The Wind Band Contests are divided into five divisions:
Concert Division – maximum 15 bands
Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 – Roda Hall
1st Division – maximum 22 bands
Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 – Roda Hall
2nd Division – maximum 25 bands
Friday, July 31, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 – Kerkrade Theater
3rd Division – maximum 30 bands
Friday, July 24, Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 – Kerkrade Theater
Youth Division – maximum 20 bands
Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 – Roda Hall
