The Rothwell Temperance Band (UK) crowned champions at a thrilling 29th Open de France de Brass Band!
Amboise vibrates to the sound of brass instruments: a weekend of musical mastery comes to an end, and we’re already dreaming of the 30th edition scheduled for 5, 6 and 7 June 2026.
The historic town of Amboise was alive with the powerful, melodious sound of brass instruments this weekend! From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May 2025, ensembles from all over Europe battled it out in a high-flying musical competition, transforming the Loire town into a veritable brass band capital. The street entertainment radiated to the rhythm of Banda Jean. This event, firmly established in the international music calendar, once again demonstrated its ability to attract exceptional talent and captivate large audiences.
The majestic setting of Amboise, with its royal castle overlooking the Loire, provided an inspiring backdrop to this music festival. The atmosphere was electric, with notes pouring out of the Théâtre Beaumarchais, the main venue for the competition, but also from the Place Michel Debré, the Square des AFN and the Salle Claude Ménard, testifying to the scale of the event, which took over the whole town. The street entertainment and outdoor performances enabled a large audience to discover the richness and diversity of the brass bands’ repertoire, confirming the Open’s status as a truly popular festival.
The longevity of the Open, now in its 29th year, is testament to its relevance and continuing appeal. The participation of orchestras from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and France underlines its international prestige. As one source put it, ‘Brass bands from all over Europe are heading for the magnificent setting of Amboise’, confirming that the event is much more than just a national competition. It is a European crossroads for brass band enthusiasts, enhancing the cultural profile of Amboise and the Touraine Val de Loire region, which actively promotes this musical event. The awarding of ‘international honours’ further underlines this dimension.
Champions Revealed: A Detailed Look at the Competition Results
The competition took place over several levels, from the Championship sections (the highest) to the first, second, third and fourth sections, allowing ensembles of various calibres to compete. A panel of renowned judges, including Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre and Peter Baker-Collins for the main events, Peter Baker-Collins for the marching competition, and Laure Thibault and Karine Chippault for the People’s Choice Award, had the tricky task of deciding between the competitors. Their presence testifies to the seriousness and high standards of the Open.
Here is a summary of the main winners in this 29th edition:
Championship section :
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre, Peter Baker-Collins
1.Rothwell Temperance Band (UK) conducted by David Roberts 119/120pts
2.Concord Brass (DK) conducted by Stieg Maersk 117/120pts
3.ExoBrass (F) conducted by Mathias Charton 116/120pts
First section
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre, Peter Baker-Collins
1.Brass Band Amersfoort (NL) conducted by Vincent Verhaege 114/120pts
2.Brass Ban Pro Rege (NL) conducted by Jan Werkman 113/120pts
Second section :
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre, Peter Baker-Collins
1 Brass Band Roosendaal (NL) conducted by Ward Diereck 112/120pts
2 Cadences Brass (F) conducted by Nicolas Biget 11/120pts
Third section:
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre, Peter Baker-Collins
1.Brass Band de la Vienne (F) conducted by Mathias Charton 110/120pts
2.Brass Band Junior du CRR de Tours (F) David Hubert 109/120pts
Fourth section:
Adjudicators: Chris Jeans, Laurent Douvre, Peter Baker-Collins
- Brass Band en Seine (F) directed by Christopher Dufay 108/120pts
Best soloist: Matthew Reasbeck (euphonium) Rothwell Temperance Band (UK)
Audience prize Place Michel Debré jury Laure Thibault:
Brass Band en Seine (F)
Audience prize Square des AFN jury Karine Chippault:
Brass Band Pro Rege (NL)
Entertainment prize: La Banda Jean
In the prestigious Championship Section, it was the UK’s Rothwell Temperance Band, under the baton of David Roberts, who took top honours with an impressive score of 119.00 points on 120. They narrowly edged out Denmark’s Concord Brass Band and France’s ExoBrass, testifying to the intensity of the competition at this level.
Victories followed in the other sections, with Brass Band Amersfoort (Netherlands) in the First Section, Brass Band Roosendaal (Netherlands) in the Second Section, Brass Band De La Vienne (France) in the Third Section, and Brass Band En Seine (France) in the Fourth Section. These results illustrate the vitality of the brass band movement across Europe and in France. A special mention goes to Matthew Reasbeck, principal euphonium of the Rothwell Temperance Band, who was named Best Soloist of the competition, in recognition of his exceptional talent.
An analysis of the results highlights the high calibre of the international groups, particularly British and Dutch, who distinguished themselves in the upper sections. The Rothwell Temperance Band (UK) not only won the Championship Section but also the prize for best soloist.
The Dutch ensembles Brass Band Amersfoort and Brass Band Roosendaal won the First and Second Sections respectively, with Brass Band Pro Rege (NL) coming second in the First Section. Denmark’s Concord Brass also shone, winning the marching competition and coming second in the Championship. This strong international presence raises the overall standard and gives French ensembles a valuable opportunity to measure themselves against the European elite, thereby stimulating their own development.
Several ensembles also demonstrated remarkable versatility. In addition to their victories, the Rothwell Temperance Band came second in the marching competition. The Concord Brass shone in both the Championship and the marching competition. The Amerfsoort Brass Band combined its victory in the First Section with a third-place finish in the marching competition.
The Brass Band Pro Rege and the Brass Band en Seine were rewarded both in their respective sections and for their public performances. This ability to excel in a variety of events – from the technical interpretation of a compulsory piece to the discipline of marching and the art of captivating the audience outdoors – underlines the wealth of talent present and the comprehensive nature of the challenges offered by the Amboise Open.
Beyond the Concert Hall: Marches, Fanfares and the Festive Spirit of Amboise
The French Open is not limited to indoor performances. On Saturday morning, the Place Michel Debré came alive with the traditional and much-anticipated marching band competition. Described as a “Whit Friday” style marching competition held in front of the Château d’Amboise, the event offered an impressive visual and aural spectacle, attracting a large crowd. The Concord Brass (Denmark) came out on top in this event, closely followed by the Rothwell Temperance Band (UK) and the Amersfoort Brass Band (Netherlands)
Throughout the weekend, the town resounded to the sounds of the ‘outdoor performances by the ensembles’ in the Square des AFN and Place Michel Debré, as well as the street entertainment provided by the ‘Banda Jean’.
These moments of musical sharing were particularly popular, as evidenced by the audience prize for the outdoor performances, awarded jointly to the Pro Rege Brass Band (Netherlands) and the Brass Band en Seine (France). Sunday morning was no exception, with new street entertainment and a “Concert Show” by Cadences Brass (France) in the Square des AFN, extending the festive atmosphere.
At the same time, for the first time, the Brass Band en Seine (France) staged an outdoor “off” concert in Noizay, attracting an audience of around one hundred.
These numerous activities, which are open to all, demonstrate that the Amboise Open is conceived as a true public festival, going beyond the framework of a competition for insiders. The ‘Whit Friday style’ format of the marching competition, a British tradition based on community involvement, and the specific prize rewarding the ensembles’ ability to entertain the public outdoors are clear illustrations of this. This inclusive approach broadens the appeal of the event, strengthens links with the local community and undoubtedly contributes to its longevity and success as a regional tourist attraction.
A Grand Finale, a Solid Organisation and a Look to the Future
The festivities began on Friday evening with an opening ceremony and the draw for the running order of the competitors, held in the prestigious setting of the Château Royal d’Amboise. A mini-concert by the Amersfoort Brass Band set the tone for the musical weekend.
The highlight was the gala concert on Saturday evening at the Salle Claude Ménard, with an exceptional performance by the Rothwell Temperance Band, who had just been crowned champions. It was during this evening that the results were officially announced, bringing the competition to a climactic conclusion.
Behind the success of this event lies the unfailing commitment of the Association des Amis du Brass Band (AABB), in collaboration with the Pôle des Arts Paul Gaudet and a host of partners The communauté de commune, the town of Amboise, the département, the Crédit Agricole and the tourist office, to name but the main ones. The 2025 edition marks an important transition for the AABB, with a new management team led by Véronique Barroué-Lebrun (President), supported by Frédéric Lebrun (Vice-President), Jean-Louis Volant (Secretary) and Stéphane Gaudet (Treasurer). This new team, backed by a team of outstanding volunteers, is supported by a whole family of enthusiasts: Jacques Gaudet, founder of the competition, who has been appointed Honorary Chairman, his wife Suzy, not forgetting Stéphane and Laurence, who are determined to continue the adventure with dynamism and innovation.
The success of the 29th edition under this new leadership is testimony to a successful transition and a solid organisation. Already, all eyes are on the future, and more particularly on the 30th anniversary edition of the Open de France, scheduled for 5 to 7 June 2026. This anniversary promises to be an even bigger celebration of brass music, marking an important milestone in the festival’s history. This rapid projection towards a major future event is a sign of strong ambition and rigorous planning, which will ensure the long-term future and continued development of the Amboise Open.
A resounding crescendo for Amboise’s flagship brass band event
The 29th French Brass Band Open ended on a triumphant note, confirming its status as a major musical event. It was a dazzling showcase for musical talent, a place of healthy competition and a moment of great sharing with the public, all in the enchanting setting of Amboise. The atmosphere, described by participants in previous editions as ‘incredible’, was undoubtedly there once again this year.
The Open’s importance extends far beyond the borders of Amboise. It is a crucial event for the brass band community in France and Europe, helping to enrich the cultural landscape of the Touraine Val de Loire region. The event acts as a catalyst for the French brass band movement. By offering a platform for high-level performance and competition, including against leading international ensembles, it stimulates the progress of French brass bands. The presence of sections dedicated to the youngest players, such as the Fourth Section, which is often associated with junior ensembles, and the participation of orchestras from conservatoires, underline the Open’s commitment to training and promoting emerging talent.
Ultimately, the Amboise French Brass Band Open is much more than just a competition; it’s an investment in cultural development, a vector of influence for the region, and a vibrant celebration of the music that brings people together. Anticipation is already palpable for the 30th edition, which promises to make brass instruments resound with even greater brilliance.