Working Groups WMC | 2026 Edition

Volunteers are, and will always remain, indispensable to the World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade. Thanks to their dedication, WMC has grown into the international top-level festival it is today. Looking ahead to WMC 2026, we once again count on the commitment and enthusiasm of many volunteers.
The volunteers are organised into various working groups, each with its own tasks and responsibilities. Every role contributes to the smooth and successful running of the event and to strengthening wind music culture.


Volunteering at WMC means building a unique cultural event together, with room for personal development, engagement and a shared passion for wind music. We hope to be able to count on you again for WMC 2026.

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COMPETITIONS & LINE-UP & PROGRAMMING WORKING GROUPS

The competitions and programming – the artistic pillar – form the foundation of the WMC. The working groups within this pillar are led by the General Artistic Manager and the Manager Marching & Show Competitions.

These working groups are responsible for the artistic content of the competitions, programming and line-up, youth projects, and (fringe) concerts throughout the entire WMC.

Concert Competitions Working Group (CW)

This working group oversees all concert competitions (HaFaBra) in Kerkrade, taking place in the Theater and the Rodahal. Members of the working group ensure that everything is well organized at the competition venues, enabling participating orchestras to deliver their best possible performance. The group supports the jury and ensures that the award ceremonies run smoothly.

Key responsibilities:

  • Organizing and delivering the operational schedule (run-of-show) for all concert competitions 
  • Identifying and coordinating all necessary facilities and requirements
  • Guiding participating orchestras before, during, and after their performances at the concert venues
  • Assisting and supporting the jury team
  • Managing the scoring system and award ceremonies
Marching & Show Competitions Working Group (MSW)

This working group oversees all bands performing at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium. Members of the working group ensure that all arrangements at the stadium are in place, enabling participating bands to deliver their best possible performance. The group supports the jury and ensures that award ceremonies run smoothly.

Key responsibilities:

  • Verifying that participating ensembles submit the correct content and all required information in a timely manner
  • Organizing and delivering the operational schedule (run-of-show) for all marching, marching parade, and show competitions
  • Identifying and coordinating all necessary facilities and requirements
  • Guiding participating ensembles before, during, and after their performances
  • Assisting and supporting the jury team
  • Managing the scoring system and award ceremonies
WMC Academy Working Group

This working group oversees all bands performing at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium. Members of the working group ensure that all arrangements within the stadium are in place, enabling participating bands to deliver their best possible performance. The group supports the jury and ensures that award ceremonies run smoothly.

Key responsibilities:

  • Verifying that participating ensembles submit the correct content and all required information in a timely manner
  • Organizing and delivering the operational schedule (run-of-show) for all marching, marching parade, and show competitions
  • Identifying and coordinating all necessary facilities and requirements
  • Guiding participating ensembles before, during, and after their performances
  • Assisting and supporting the jury team
  • Managing the scoring system and award ceremonies
WMC Unlimitied Working Group

The WMC Unlimited working group focuses on organizing accessible, musical, and connecting activities for various vulnerable target groups and audiences. This includes people with physical or intellectual disabilities, individuals with a distance to the labor market, newcomers, and other groups for whom participation in social and cultural activities is not self-evident.

As a member of this committed and inclusive working group, you help ensure that everyone can take part. You create a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment in which participants feel at home, can experience music, and build new connections—fully in the spirit of the WMC.

Key responsibilities:

  • Guiding and supporting participants from various vulnerable target groups during WMC activities
  • Organizing inclusive events such as the Paramusic Day and other low-threshold activities in local neighborhoods
  • Creating an accessible and positive atmosphere where meeting, musical experience, and connection are central
  • Contributing ideas for new activities that make participation possible for everyone
Participants Services Working Group

This working group supports participants throughout their stay in Kerkrade and ensures that they lack nothing during their visit. As a member of this working group, you act as the main contact person and point of reference, guiding your assigned group from registration or arrival at the WMC through to the day of departure. This working group is an especially important ambassador for the festival and plays a key role in ensuring that all participants return home with a positive experience.

Key responsibilities:

  • Welcoming and conducting the intake of competition participants
  • Guiding participants before and during their stay in Kerkrade (each group is assigned a dedicated contact person)
  • Arranging logistical requirements such as transportation for groups staying in Kerkrade
  • Coordinating any participant performances in collaboration with the Fringe Working Group
Fringe Working Group

The Fringe Working Group organizes and coordinates all non-competitive performances during the WMC. Through the Fringe program, WMC creates an accessible, inspiring, and diverse platform where musical ensembles of all levels and styles can present themselves. The working group ensures that participants—from wind bands to show bands—can fully experience the WMC, develop artistically, and connect with new audiences and fellow musicians.

As a member of the working group, you are involved in the complete organization of all Fringe performances on WMC stages in Kerkrade, as well as in connecting with external partners for performances outside the fixed venues.

Key responsibilities:

  • Coordinating performances on the BLOW! stages: Markt and Hinger Herjods Ruk, as well as in the neighborhoods of Kerkrade
  • Creating performance schedules for the festival weekends (Friday–Saturday–Sunday) and monitoring time slots (maximum 1 hour performance time plus 30 minutes changeover time)
  • Organizing the use of a fixed marching route for marching and show bands
  • Arranging practical facilities such as chairs, music stands, and the use of the mobile percussion set (in collaboration with the Instrument Management Working Group)
  • Maintaining contact with participants regarding their wishes, seating plans, submission of information, and logistics
  • Connecting external organizations and participants for Fringe performances outside Kerkrade, with WMC acting as an intermediary
  • Ensuring that all scheduled external Fringe concerts are included in the official communications and labeled “Powered by WMC”

PRODUCTION & VENUES WORKING GROUPS

These working groups are coordinated by the Head of Production. WMC makes use of various concert venues, sites, schools, sports clubs, football fields, and other locations.

The following working groups ensure that all conditions and facilities required for the smooth operation of the WMC are properly arranged.

Production & Venues Working Group

This working group ensures that, among others, the Rodahal and Theater Kerkrade (including the associated pavilions) are fully prepared for participants, visitors, and artists. Members of this working group are responsible for all technical facilities and ensure that both the performance spaces and areas such as dressing rooms are fully operational and well equipped. In addition, the working group is responsible for the production of the line-up (concerts) in the Rodahal and Theater Kerkrade.

Key responsibilities:

  • Fulfilling all required conditions related to production and venues
  • Overall responsibility for the Rodahal and Theater Kerkrade locations
  • Providing necessary technical facilities (lighting, sound, projection, stage)
  • Organizing required staff support
  • Arranging and equipping the venues (including concert halls, warm-up rooms, dressing rooms, jury rooms, instrument storage areas, etc.)
  • Managing the instruments and equipment at the venues
  • Managing rehearsal locations (including instruments and facilities)
  • Creating run-of-show schedules and producing line-up concerts in the Rodahal and Theater Kerkrade
  • Setting up and managing dressing room and warm-up pavilions
Stadium Production Working Group

This working group ensures that the Parkstad Limburg Stadium is fully prepared for the competitions. As a member of this working group, you are responsible for organizing all technical facilities and ensuring that both the stadium and supporting areas such as dressing rooms are fully operational and properly equipped. This working group works closely with the Artistic Working Group: Marching & Show.

Key responsibilities:

  • Overall responsibility for the stadium location
  • Providing the required technical facilities (including stadium setup, stands, field and stadium decoration, sound, and lighting)
  • Managing the instruments and equipment at the location
  • Setting up and managing facilities (including jury and press rooms, dressing rooms, catering, etc.)
  • Supervising staff (particularly access control and stage crew)
Instrument Management Working Group

Working Group Instrument Management

The Instrument Management Working Group is responsible for the coordination, logistics and quality control of the instruments used during WMC.

As a member of this practical and indispensable working group, you ensure that all instruments are available on time, complete and in excellent condition for rehearsals, performances and Fringe activities.

You maintain oversight of the entire percussion inventory, liaise with suppliers and, together with your team, ensure that everything is in the right place at the right time. Thanks to your efforts, artists and participants can focus entirely on making music without concerns.

Main responsibilities

  1. Coordinating and transporting the mobile percussion set for Fringe performances
  2. Checking the completeness and condition of all rented percussion sets from Adams
  3. Maintaining contact with suppliers regarding additional or specially rented instruments
  4. Managing music stands for Fringe performances
  5. Monitoring overall planning and logistics related to instruments during WMC
  6. Overseeing planning and inspection of rehearsal locations during WMC

COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC AFFAIRS WORKING GROUPS

All external and internal communication must run smoothly during WMC 2026. The following working groups fall under Communication, Community, and Public Affairs, including areas such as ticketing and photography. From the core team, the various working groups are coordinated by the Head of Marketing & Communication.

Ticketing Working Group

The Ticketing & Merchandise Working Group is responsible for the sale, presentation and handling of official WMC merchandise and admission tickets. In addition, the physical sales points serve as central information hubs for visitors.

This working group plays an important role in the overall visitor experience: from the first welcome and access control to providing service, information and a lasting WMC souvenir.

As a member of this customer-focused and versatile working group, you are in direct contact with visitors, participants and fans. You ensure a professional and welcoming atmosphere and a smooth organisation of sales and access throughout the festival.

Main responsibilities

  • Sales & Presentation
    Setting up and managing the physical sales points for merchandise and tickets in and around the festival venues, ensuring an attractive, clear and inviting presentation
  • Ticketing
    Setting up and staffing the WMC ticket shop and box offices at various locations where contests and/or concerts take place.
  • Access Control
    Checking admission tickets at contests and concerts within the line-up programme.
  • Customer Service & Information
    Assisting visitors in a friendly manner, advising on merchandise and tickets, answering questions and serving as the first point of information.
  • Financial Handling
     Managing the daily financial settlement of ticket sales, both during the pre-sale period and throughout the festival.

Through these efforts, the Ticketing & Merchandise Working Group contributes to a warm welcome, a well-informed audience and a complete WMC experience.

Hosts & Hostesses Working Group

This working group provides volunteers at all locations where ceremonial activities take place, including both competitions and concerts. As a host or hostess, you are the face of the organization during award ceremonies. The working group supports the jury in carrying out their duties during the competitions. In addition, you guide VIPs during their visit to the WMC and act as a point of contact during line-up concerts and VIP concerts.

Key responsibilities:

  • Assisting with award ceremonies during competitions at the stadium, theater, and Rodahal
  • Presenting flowers, certificates, and prizes to participants
  • Providing transportation for VIPs and jury members
  • Guiding and supporting jury members during their stay in Kerkrade
  • Staffing the VIP lounge during VIP concerts
Photography & Media Working Group

The members of this working group capture the WMC in images. The group consists of passionate photographers who are present at all WMC events and ensure that compelling visuals of participants and audiences are available for use across the website, social media, and print materials. As a photographer, you act as a fly on the wall, capturing the camaraderie, energy, and emotion that define the WMC from your own perspective.

Key responsibilities:

  • Photographing the various WMC activities
Sponsoring Working Group

This working group supports the core team in recruiting and supporting sponsors, including companies, institutions, and private individuals.

Key responsibilities:

  • Recruiting sponsors in collaboration with the team
  • Supporting and guiding sponsors during the WMC
  • Accurate documentation of agreements and commitments (such as concert tickets and parking passes)
  • Follow-up with sponsors after the conclusion of the WMC
Working Group Media

As a Media volunteer, you will be deployed at various WMC locations, such as the stadium, the theatre and the Rodahal. You will be part of the media team led by Edwin Hijman (Producer) and CamVan, responsible for the audiovisual recording of the event.

You will support the team with a variety of practical tasks. This includes providing water for camera operators, transporting camera batteries and other equipment, welcoming and guiding drum majors, conductors, musicians and jury members for interviews, and assisting and accompanying (international) press representatives.

A basic technical background is helpful, but certainly not required. More importantly, you are flexible, proactive and willing to roll up your sleeves. Please note that the tasks, particularly in the stadium, may involve a significant amount of walking.

Main responsibilities

  • Supporting the media team
  • Guiding musicians, conductors, drum majors and jury members for interviews, as well as welcoming and assisting (international) press
  • Providing logistical support on location
Archive & Documentation Working Group

The members of this working group manage the extensive WMC archive and ensure that all competition results are properly documented.

Key responsibilities:

  • Archiving and managing photo and video materials
  • Archiving competition results
  • Digitizing the above content

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