BBF - News

15.12.09

Jean-François Michel new conductor of Brass Band Fribourg

The Brass Band Fribourg and Vincent Baroni, who has been conducting for a year, have ended their collaboration. Meanwhile, Jean-François Michel was appointed as new conductor and will be conducting the band from spring 2010.
Several differences of opinion lead the Brass Band Fribourg and Vincent Baroni - appointed in February 2009 – to cease their collaboration with immediate effect. The BBF will therefore launch the 2010 season – its 40th – under its new conductor, Jean-François Michel.
Being a trumpet professor at the Conservatoire de Fribourg and a renown composer, as well as being frequently asked to work as jury in numerous contests, Jean-François Michel accepted to take over the conducting of the Brass Band Fribourg.
The musicians of the BBF are looking forward to collaborating with such a renown musician. They also want to thank Vincent Baroni for the work that has been done during the past year.

30.09.09

Swiss Open 2009 : Dissappointment

No point prevaricating, the results of the Swiss Open 2009 are very far from what was expected. This 7th rank, which heavily sanctionned our performances, comes as a reminder that nothing has ever to be taken for granted. If it is of any consolation, the Brass Band Fribourg keeps in mind its 3rd rank on the test piece, which was the only part of the competitions that permitted a true comparison.
Of course, we congratulate the Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern for their victory.
As well, the musicians of the BBF thank vividly the people that came to support them, and make the vow to do everything possible so that the national contest in Montreux turns out otherwise.

See you all on the 29th November!

>> results

01.09.09

2009 Contests: Featuring Vincent Baroni and Nick Childs

The Brass Band Fribourg will be conducted by Vincent Baroni at the Swiss Open Contest and by Nicholas Childs at the Swiss Brass Band Contest.

After the 2008 Swiss Brass Band Contest, the BBF, which had no tenured conductor, asked Robert Childs to conduct the 2009 Swiss Brass Band Contest. His participation in the 2009 Swiss Open Contest would then depend on the appointment of a new conductor in residence.

Due to some unfortunate events, Robert Childs will however not be present on the day of the Swiss Contest. He therefore asked his brother Nicholas to replace him, who immediately accepted.

The BBF, which has already worked with Nicholas Childs during its preparation for the 2008 European Championships in Stavanger is looking forward to seeing him again this Autumn.

Of course, this exceptional replacement changes nothing to the fact that Bob Childs remains the official musical advisor of the Brass Band Fribourg.

27.05.09

Concert of Black Dyke Band live on the internet

The Black Dyke Band conducted by Nicholas Childs will be broadcasting in Leeds a live gala concert on the internet the 30th May 2009 at 7pm (local time).

>> program + internet links

23.03.09

Annual concerts

The preparation to the annual concerts is now well under way! Don't forget to consult the concert programs which will by the way be held independently, namely on the 5th april 2009 for the A band and on the 19th april 2009 for the B band. We look forward to meeting you at these concerts.

In response to the resignation of Marc Oberson and Christophe Brügger, to whom we wish all the best, two new members have joined the A band namely, Raoul Berset, who earlier played in the B band, and Pascal Guenat, who is back after a few years of absence. A warm welcome to both of them!

>> BBF A concert program
>> BBF B concert program

03.02.09

Vincent Baroni at the head of Brass Band Fribourg

The Brass Band Fribourg, 2002, 2005 & 2007 swiss champions and 2006 european vice-champions, nominated Vincent Baroni as its new conductor.

Vincent Baroni lives in Colombier (NE) and is at the present time a professor of cornet and trumpet at the Conservatoire de Neuchâtel and is the director of the Conservatoire de Musique de la Broye. He is the president of the musical commission of the Swiss Soloists and Quartets Contest, and also leads the musical commission of the Association Cantonale des Musiques Neuchâteloises.

In 2006, Vincent Baroni won the first prize of the swiss conducting competition in Baden. In June 2008, he finished his orchestral conducting studies in Dominique Roggen's class at the Hochshule der Künste (Academy of Arts) in Bern. He conducts the Orchestre de Chambre de la Broye, the Brass Band Lignières and the Harmonie of Colombier.

Vincent Baroni succeeds Arsène Duc, conductor from 2002 through to 2008, and Pascal Eicher, who held the interim last fall. Moreover, the Brass Band Fribourg will continue its fruitful collaboration with Robert Childs, who has been its musical advisor since 2000, and has conducted the band in last year's contests.

29.09.08

Prize of best execution of the March at the Swiss Open Contest

As last year, the BBF achieved the fourth rank at the Swiss Open Contest, at tie with the Brass Band Bürgermusik of Lucerne, ranked third thanks to their points on the test piece. The winner's prize was attributed to the Brass Band Teize Etoiles.

For the first time in its history, the BBF got the DRS radio special prize for the best execution of the march, Stephan Jaeggi's « Général Guisan ».

The BBF thanks its ever rising number of faithful supporters, for their appreciable support.

>> results

29.08.08

Resumption of rehearsals

As the summer break ends for the BBF, the musicians have already headed back to the rehearsing premises last Friday. As usual, some changes are to be notified. In the bass section, Valentin Mauron is leaving us due to professional reasons, and will be replaced by Joachim Braun. Lionel Fuhrer will complete the section. In the cornets, we note the coming-back of Christophe Grivel. Great thanks go to Jean-Paul Pugin, Romain Vergères and Gilles Bolis who took over on a caretaker basis this spring. We also make notice of the hiring of a fourth percussion player, namely Alicja Mroczkowska who previously played in the B-band.

19.05.08

Bob Childs as conductor

This autumn, the Brass Band Fribourg will take part in the Swiss Open Contest in Lucerne and the Swiss Championships in Montreux, conducted by Robert Childs who has been its musical advisor for eight years. This decision was taken after the resignation of its current conductor Arsène Duc, who is leaving the BBF to take up new musical challenges. For the coming contests, the BBF will be trained by Arsène Duc for the Swiss Open and Pascal Eicher for the national contest. We thank our two trainers already for their availability and their helpfulness.

17.05.08

New principal euphonium

After 8 years spent at the post of principal euphonium, Mr. David Welsh decided to end his collaboration with the Brass Band Fribourg. With his incredible talent and his unwavering humility, David has been an example for all those who had the chance to play with him. He greatly contributed to the highly positive evolution that the Brass Band Fribourg experienced during these last few years. All the musicians unite to thank him and wish him all the best.

The principal euphonium position will now be held by Mr. Cyril Perrenoud, who just came back from a one-year trip at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied with Mr. Steven Mead. The BBF is looking forward to this new collaboration and wish him lots of pleasure defending the Fribourg colors.

05.05.08

2008 European : mission accomplished

The Brass Band Fribourg returns from Stavanger with the impression of having fulfilled its contract. This fourth rank - the BBF was third after the test piece – proves once again that our band really finds its place among the European elite. Especially when we look closer at what kind of bands arrived ahead: Cory Band, n°1 band at the brass band “ATP” ranking, Grimethorpe Colliery, champion of England and Great-Britain, and Brass Band Willebroek, 2006 and 2007 European champion.
An extra point would have got us on the podium, but one less would have thrown us back to the 6th place. As often, the results are really close up, and even more when the level gets that high. Happy with its brilliant result, the Brass Band Fribourg will keep warm memories of the extraordinary experience that the participation to a European Championship represents, the pride it felt standing for its country, and the musical emotions produced by such moments.
Now that this extraordinary saga is over, the Brass Band Fribourg would like to thank a few people.
To Nicole and Andrea, our guides on the site – and French speaking (!) – that provided us a well-appreciated assistance.
To Barbara, financial person in charge, and Nathalie, in charge of the organisation of the journey and of the logistics, for their outstanding competences.
To you all, dear supporters, for your unconditional support. Your extraordinary ovations, before and after our performances on the stage, went straight to our heart. In football, the assistance is often considered as the 12th player – that is little compared to what you represent for us.
To Nicholas Childs, our musical advisor for this time, who came to make us benefit of his incommensurable knowledge and his phenomenal enthusiasm for seven days, and who even came to congratulate us on the site after the test piece.
To Arsène of course, for all the energy he once more put into the preparation of this important meeting. We sometimes ask ourselves if you don’t create extra time! Thank you for your availability, your obstinacy and your talent!
This Scandinavian tour, that started Wednesday night and only ended late Sunday night, will remain engraved in our memories as a milestone for the BBF. This result would never have been possible without the rock-hard team spirit that welds each link of the Brass Band Fribourg. It stands in the line that the band has been following for several years, and stands as a spring board for the times to come. So, as a person well-known by some people of the BBF often says: “A bientôt, pour de nouvelles aventures…”

>> results

13.04.08

The BBFInfo 2008 is online

This year's information brochure was published on the 6th April at our annual concert. You now have the opportunity to view it on the web.

Have a pleasant reading! (french and german only)

16.02.08

Rehearsals starting

The A band of the BBF has resumed its rehearsals session with, as most important milestones, its traditional annual concert and its participation to the European Brass Band Championship in Stavanger (Norway) which will take place at the beginning of May.

As it is sometimes the case at the beginning of the season, some changes are to be noted in the formation. Thus, Mélanie Schmid, Grégory Neuhaus and Jean-Jacques Michelet have decided to leave us. We thank them sincerely for the work we have done together and wish them all the best in their future life. The 3rd cornet and percussion positions will now be held by Gilles Bolis and Frédéric Bugnard. Jean-Paul Pugin and Romain Vergères will assume the Eb Bass part for this spring. Note that Claude-Alain Bard officially joins the cornet section after several participations in recent years.

Don’t forget to look up our agenda to find all the important dates to remember.

29.01.08

Changes at the head of the B band

Jean-Marie Jordan has had to resign from his position of conductor of Brass Band Fribourg B for professional reasons. Taking over is for the BBF a well-known personality, since it happens to be Pascal Schafer, former member of the A band. We wish you, Pascal, lots of success in your new duties.

We do not forget to thank Jean-Marie for the excellent work that has been done during those years at the head of the B band and wish him all the best for his musical and professional future.

26.11.07

The Brass Band Fribourg gets its crown back

On Sunday 25th November 2007, the Brass Band Fribourg won the Swiss Brass Band Championships. It got ahead of the Brass Band Treize Etoiles and the Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan (ECV), which by the way delivered the best interpretation of the test piece. The BBF came out of that competition victorious, thanks to its regularity throughout both rounds of the contest, and in spite of a rather unfavorable draw since it had the heavy task of opening the contest at 9.30 am with the test piece “Landscapes”, a new composition from Bertrand Moren. And it did it properly, since only the ECV will grasp them a point that morning. After a very long wait, fate awarded the BBF the last slot for the own choice programming. So the BBF was back on stage at 4.30 pm for Philip Sparke’s “Music of the Spheres” – a great performance that was rewarded 97 points, enough to get the highest total, at tie with Brass Band Treize Etoiles, winners of the own choice but only third on the test piece. So it’s the extra point on “Landscapes” that offers the BBF its third Championship title in six years, after 2002 and 2005.
In the second division, on Saturday, the BBF-B obtained a great 6th rank with Victo V. Ewald’s “Symphony for Brass”. Congratulations to all the players and to their conductor Jean-Marie, for this encouraging result. Keep on the good work!
At the end of this contest, the Brass Band Fribourg insists in thanking the people of the public for the ovation it got, as well as its numerous supporters for their unwavering loyalty, their unshakeable enthusiasm and their highly important presence. Our thanks also go to all those who strive so that everything works at best. Of course, the BBF addresses its gratitude to our favorite musical advisor Robert Childs, for his immense work and his meticulous involvement. But it is to the great craftsman of that victory that the BBF’s greatest thanks go to. Where are we to find the words to salute you for everything you do at the head of our band, Arsène? With great emotion and pride, the musicians of the BBF return you the magnificent message that you delivered to them last Saturday to end the last rehearsal of this preparation.

>> results

24.09.07

Swiss Open Contest : Ups and Downs

The Brass Band Fribourg comes back from Lucerne with mixed feelings, as it ends up getting the 4th place at the Swiss Open, which has been won by the Brass Band Treize Etoiles. We therefore congratulate them for their performance. If that ranking can seem a little disappointing, the result the BBF got for the test piece “Paganini Variations” is a comfort to them, as they got the first place for that work. Apparently, their interpretation of “Le Barbier de Séville”, which was played as opening of the second part of the competition, did not seduce the jury as much. The members of the BBF insist in thanking all of their supporters, who are as faithful as enthusiastic. See you in Montreux!

>> results

20.09.07

New CD Découvertes

Brass Band Fribourg’s latest cd recording has a real sense of Discovery. Discover new and unpublished works such as Phi-délité, a march written by Arsène Duc to celebrate his father’s 50 years of music-making, or Carioca, an Eb Bass solo arranged by Dominique Morel. This disc also presents rarely recorded pieces: Paul Lovatt Cooper’s magnificent Where Eagles Sing, Concerto for Eb Soprano Cornet composed for Dominique Morel, Harlequin, Philip Sparke’s latest euphonium solo, Lezghinka, a fiery Cossack dance, You Raise Me Up, a lyrical cornet solo, the brilliant final movement of Glorifico Aeternum, the explosive Malaguena, or the well-loved traditional march Jubilee.
Kenneth Downie’s St Magnus was the band’s own choice test piece at the Swiss National Contest in 2006. Enjoy the opportunity to rediscover their live contest performance of this monumental work. Finally, relax to Chanson de Treyvaux, a traditional song from Canton Fribourg, beautifully arranged by John Golland.

This CD is from now for sale by the musicians.

08.09.07

Setting out for the Swiss Open !

As the musical holidays were barely over, the BBF was already giving à Gala concert for the unveiling of the Sorens music society’s new banner, last Saturday. Thanks to the organizers for their invitation and their warm welcome.

You can already book your late afternoon on Sunday 6th April 2008. The Brass Band Fribourg will indeed be giving its traditional annual concert on that day at 5pm at the “Podium” Hall in Düdingen.

But before that, we wish to see you all at the Lucerne KKL on the 22th September 2007 (starting at 10pm) to support us at the 18th Yamaha Swiss Open Contest.

27.06.07

The next Brass Band Fribourg CD has been recorded !

The mid-june weekend has been intense for the Brass Band Fribourg. It was entirely devoted to the recording of our next CD in Jean-Michel Hugon's brand new studio in Granges (Veveyse). We could count all along the weekend on Guy Michel's expert advice for the eleven works that constituted the programme.

All members of the BBF adress their gratitude to Guy and Jean-Michel for their excellent collaboration all along that session.

The CD is scheduled to come out during the course of autumn. Further information will be published in due time.

16.05.07

Châtel-St-Denis Programme
Friday 25th May 2007, 8.30pm

>> Music festival of the "Veveyse district"

20.04.07

The BBFInfo 2007 is online!

This year's information brochure was published on the 1st April at our annual concert. You now have the opportunity to view it on the web.

Have a pleasant reading! (french and german only)

09.03.07

New cornetist

The BBF A-band anounces the arrival of a new 3rd solo cornet, Christoph Baumgartner. Christoph will already be playing at our concert in Nottwil on sunday 11th march. We look forward to having him with us and wish him a warm welcome.

11.02.07

Start of the season

After a well-deserved winter break, the BBF A-band got back to work and resumed its rehearsals on the 1st February.

One musician left our band: our bassist Michel Stempfel. Note that Michel will remain in the management board until end of June and that he still participates in the making of the BBFInfo 2007 that will come out at our annual concert, as usual. We thank him for his devotion!
Welcome to Jean-Jacques Michelet how replaces Michel at the Eb-Bass. We wish him lots of pleasure with us.

The BBF will perform several times this spring, don't forget to check our agenda! This season wil be marked by the recording of a new CD in June. Further information will be available shortly.

23.12.06

Changes management in BBF

At the annual assembly, several new members have been elected as members of the management board and will enter function on 1st January 2007.

Therefore, Cédric Jeanneret will become the second representative of the B band replacing Romuald Cudré-Mauroux. Bruno Muggli, already member of the board, will become the new representative of the B band.

After eight years as president, Frédéric Prélaz, the A band's solo trombone, decided to leave his function and has been replaced by Marc Morandi, our solo horn.

Finally, to fill in the gap left by Nathalie Vial's departure, the secretariat will be held from the 1st April 2007 onwards by Caroline Conus, wife of our 2nd trombone Sébastien.

The Brass Band Fribourg adresses it's most grateful regards to Romuald, Nathalie and Frédéric, for the innumerable hours spent insuring the management of our band. A special thank to Frédéric who, with his immense attentiveness, marked for long the minds of those who worked with him in his task.

27.11.06

32nd swiss brass band championships

2006 will remain the year of the second places for Brass Band Fribourg. Indeed, after obtaining that same ranking at the European Championships and at the Swiss Open Contest, the A band found itself climbing once more on the second step of the podium yesterday in Montreux. Brass Band Treize Etoiles gets the title this year. We wish them the best of luck for the European Championships in Birmingham. Third rank goes to the Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan.

The ovation BBF got from the public at the end of St Magnus will remain one of the most moving ever received. To all our supporters, we adress our most sincere thanks. Our regards also go to Edi, Pascal, Claude-Alain and Roger for their participation to this contest. Finally, we thank Arsène for all the work done during this intense season. Of course, we do not forget Bob Childs who came over once more with his incomparable talent to prepare the national contest.

For their comeback in Montreux after missing out last year, the BBF B band ranked itself 16th in 2nd division.

>> results

23.10.06

Heading for the swiss brass band contest

The next 25th and 26th November, the Stravinski Auditorium and the Miles Davis Hall of Montreux will be vibrating to the sound of brass for the swiss championships. At this occasion, the BBF will be defending its previously owned swiss champion title. The contest schedule is planned as last year's for the « excellence » division: Sunday morning will be heared the test piece (Ballet for Band, Joseph Horowitz) and the afternoon is reserved for the own choice music. The contest starts at 10 am.

Last year's victory gave the BBF the right to participate in this year's gala concert on Saturday (8.15 pm). The A band of the BBF is looking forward to offer you a pleasant program. At this occasion, the band will be proud to accompaniate the american high-profile tubist, John Sass.

Please note that the B band of the BBF will be competing in the second division on Saturday at the Miles Davis hall, after missing out last year's contest. Performances of « Firestorm », composed by Stephen Bulla, start at 1pm.

>> program of the week-end

24.09.06

BBF 2nd at Swiss Open Contest

For the third year in a row, the Brass Band Fribourg came second at the Yamaha Swiss Open Contest. The Ensemble de Cuivres Melodia is the band the refuses to give the BBF its first title in Lucern. The third place goes to Brass Band Treize Etoiles. We very much thank all our faithful supporters that came all the way to Lucern! A special thank also goes to Christian Emery and Pascal Schafer for their participation to this contest.

>> Results

01.09.06

New website !

After several years of existence, the BBF website needed some updating work. Realised by Joël Allred and Michel Vonlanthen, the new site respects the original colors of the BBF, namely black and white, whith a touch of red. We hope this new showcase will suit your needs, as an english version is now available.

01.09.06

Happy events!

A few happy events have happened to some of our musicians. David Welsh has celebrated the birth of a little girl called Julie, Olivier Magne has become father of a little Cléa and Dominique Morel is now married with Martine. Congratulations to them!

01.09.06

Back to the rehearsals

The rehearsals have started on the 22nd of August. A modification has occured to the repiano voice. Matthias Lehmann leaves the band for professional reasons. We thank him for the work he has done with us and wish him all the best. He has been replaced by Mathias Gumy. This autumn, David Chammartin will be away due to military reasons, and it's Claude-Alain Bard who will complete the back row as 2nd cornet. Finally, Christian Emery will come as Euphonium solo for this year's Swiss Open. Thank you and welcome back!

03.06.06

Portrait of Arsène Duc in "La Liberté", 1st June 2006

>> Article

31.05.06

Gala concert in Farvagny revue in "La Liberté", 29th May 2006

>> Article

01.05.06

European vice-champions, un unpreceded exploit

The 28th and 29th April 2006, in Belfast, the Brass Band Fribourg wrote a page in the history of swiss brass bands. Representing Switzerland at the European Championships, the BBF became the European vice-champion, the best result ever obtained by a swiss band in this mostly prestigious competition, arriving just behind Willebroek from Belgium and in front of the Buy As You View Cory Band of Whales and the Black Dyke of England. This exploit is even more sensational when you know that this contest brings together the best bands of Europe, meaning of the world.

For the first time in the history of the european championships, the three first bands in the rankings obtained the same number of points. As it is stated in the regulations, it is the bands with the most points on the (imposed) test piece that come in front. The BBF, with 95 points on the test piece « Seascape with High Cliffs » by Ian Wilson, and 96 points on the own choice « Music of the Spheres » by Philip Sparke, comes second.

The Brass Band Fribourg had an unforgettable time in Ireland. We thank everyone who, whith their generosity, have contributed to this extraordinary adventure of bringing back the first european vice-champion trophy in Switzerland. Our gratitude also goes to our numerous supporters that were part of the journey. Your ovations will remain engraved in our hearts. Of course, we also thank Allan Withington for the tremendous work made during four complete days. But our biggest gratitude goes to the main actor of this adventure, our inimitable, indefatigable, incomparable and matchless director. We have only two words for you Arsène: THANK YOU!

>> Results

>> Photos

30.03.06

Annual concert revue in"La Liberté", 30th March 2006

>> Article

28.11.05

The BBF wins the title!

For the second time in its history, the Brass Band Fribourg conquered the swiss champion title, yesterday in Montreux. With a total of 195 points, it arrives first on the test piece « Phoenix » by Carl Rütti, as well as on the own choice « Music of the Spheres » by Philip Sparke. The BBF reached victory in front of the Brass Band 13 Etoiles and the Bürgermusik of Lucerne.

The BBF has now the honour of defending the colors of Switzerland at the next European Brass Band Championships, taking place the 28th and 29th April 2006 in Belfast, Northern Irleland.

This success ends the intense preparation lead by Arsène, our director, to whom we send all our gratitude for the immense work that is made week after week. We also have a thought for our musical adviser, Bob Childs, who once again honoured whith his presence at several rehearsals.

Finally, a great thank you to all our fans who support us all year round and which we'll be happy to meet, why not, in Belfast.

>> Results

>> Photos