Jubileumjaar WMC van start
14 january 2025 - The global music festival guarantees top-class wind music, experience and conviviality
On Saturday, 17 January, ticket sales begin for the 20th World Music Contest (WMC). With a history spanning 75 years, WMC stands for spectacular music of the highest calibre. The competitions of this anniversary edition, taking place from 9 July to 2 August, will welcome more than 250 ensembles and bands from 31 countries across five continents. With this strong international field of participants, the traditional concert, marching and show competitions, and more than 450 activities in the Rodahal, Parkstad Limburg Stadium, Theater Kerkrade and on the Market Square in Kerkrade, the WMC anniversary year will truly shine.
Every four years, the international wind music world gathers in Kerkrade for WMC. From 9 July onwards, the world’s largest stage for wind bands, fanfare bands, brass bands, percussion ensembles, and marching and show bands will once again come alive.
‘Olympic Games’ of wind musicOver the past 19 editions, this leading competition has offered the highest stage to no fewer than a quarter of a million musicians from around the world. This year too, the absolute world elite will take to the stages and the stadium during the 20th edition of the ‘Olympic Games’ of wind music. Joy, excitement, release and conviviality go hand in hand during this anniversary edition.
WMC is alive!
We notice that WMC is truly alive again and experiencing a real revival. We see this in the enormous level of commitment from our volunteers, in the enthusiastic conversations we are having in the region with, among others, local entrepreneurs, and in the helping hands—especially from young people—that are being offered to help make the event a great success. This dynamic, combined with the large and strong field of participants and the broad programme, makes me very confident that this anniversary will be an unforgettable edition,” says festival director Bart van der Roost.
A region that breathes music
The DNA of WMC remains unchanged: absolute top-level wind music, an international character, and a warm connection with the region. The organisation, festival venues and all volunteers are ready to show the world just how beautiful wind music can be.
Iconic show band kicks things off
The renowned American corps The Blue Devils will kick off the festivities on Thursday, 9 July, by taking part in the official opening parade of WMC. “With their participation, we have a European premiere. Our team has been working on this for months. A dream come true and the perfect start to the anniversary edition,” festival director Bart van der Roost says enthusiastically. The Blue Devils can also be seen on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July during the marching and show contests at Parkstad Limburg Stadium.
‘Best of Brass & Best of European Wind Bands’
In addition to the contest programme in the Roda hall, Theater Kerkrade and Parkstad Limburg Stadium, many other activities will take place. WMC proudly presents a concert series featuring, among others, the Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine, showcasing the absolute world elite of the international music scene. The series also includes two concerts with the very best brass bands and brass ensembles of today during the Brass Gala (Brassband Willebroek and Cory Band), as well as a concert by German Brass and the traditional finale of the International Conductors Competition with the Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso.
Spontaneous music in the city
WMC Fringe will also provide four weekends of surprising musical performances on various stages and in the streets of Kerkrade. Ensembles, show bands and orchestras from all corners of the world will create a special musical atmosphere not to be missed.
Blow! on the Market square
This year, Blow! will take place over four weekends on the Market Square in Kerkrade. From Thursday through Sunday, the square will be the main stage for a wide range of top bands and the opening parade of WMC. Experience WMC together as in days gone by. This summer, the heart of Kerkrade will become the place for celebration and conviviality.
Warming up for WMC with Blow! Indoor Festival
On Saturday, 25 April, WMC Kerkrade and the Roda hall will present three top bands from the Alpine countries with their modern folk-style wind music. During the Blow! Indoor Festival, musical friendship and Limburg hospitality will merge into one unforgettable experience, with performances by Druckluft, Machlast and Viera Blech. The programme is inspired by the famous Woodstock der Blasmusik—the festival that gave popular folk-style wind music a new global face. With Blow! Indoor Festival, that atmosphere now comes to Limburg, promising an evening filled with wind music, beats, beer and experience.
Ticket sales begin
Ticket sales for the 20th WMC will start on Saturday, 17 January at 11:00 a.m., both online and at HuB.Kerkrade. Visit WMC.nl for all information, the full programme and the online ticket shop.