International Honorary Invitations WMC March and Show awarded

July 21, 2025 - At prestigious international competitions, the first WMC Honorary Invitations for the March and Show competitions for WMC 2026 have been awarded. Honorary Invitations are awarded based on performance at a competition where scores and results are recognized by the WMC.

Honorary Invitations are awarded based on performance at a competition where scores and results are recognized by the WMC. If an orchestra puts on a memorable performance, that can also be the motivation for the WMC to award a WMC Honorary Invitation.

During The Thailand World Music Championship 2024 in December 2024, two bands were honored with a WMC Honorary Invitations 2026:

Banklongmuesai Marching Band (Thailand) - Championship Division Show
Boonwattana Marching Band (Thailand) - Championship Division Show

The first European Invitations were awarded during the German Mars and Show Championships of the BDMV i.c.w. WAMSB, part of the Deutsches Musikfest 2026 held in Ulm and Neu-Ulm. The WMC awarded WMC Honorary Invitations 2026 to the following bands:

Spielmannszug Rödemis e.V. (D) - Championship Division Show
Groitzscher Spielleute e.V. Jugendzug(D) - Youth Division March
Harmonie Appenzell (CH) - 2nd/1st Division March
Spielmannszug Rödemis e.V. (D) - Championship Division March
SG Fanfarenzug Potsdam e. V. (D) - Championship Division March
SG Mittenwalde Spielmannszug 1926 e.V.(D) - Championship Division March

At the NK March and Show on June 21 in Hasselt (NL), the following bands earned an honorary invitation:

Slagwerkgroep Harmonie Slikkeveer: 2nd Division Marching Competition
Tamboerkorps St.Cecilia Zegge: World Division Marching Competition
Melody & Percussionband en guard Euphonia Wommels: 2nd Division Show Competition
Showband Takostu Stiens: Championship Division Show Competition

At the NK Youth Marching and Show on June 28 in Katwijk (NL), the following youth bands earned honorary invitations:

Junioren DVS Katwijk: Youth Division Marching Competition
Junioren DVS Katwijk: Youth Division Show Competition
Jong Pasveer Leeuwarden: Youth Division Show Competition
Jong Advendo Sneek: Youth Division Show Competition
Jong Jubal Dordrecht: Youth Division Show Competition
Jong Juliana Amersfoort: Youth Division Show Competition

A WMC honorary invitation means that the band is directly placed on for the March and Show competitions of the 2026 WMC. They do not have to provide an additional portfolio for this. They also do not have to participate in a possible draw for placement if more bands in a division have registered than there are places available and thus get priority over the other corps that have registered.

The WMC congratulates the above corps on being awarded the 2026 WMC Honorary Invitation and hopes to see them at WMC 2026.