The Brass Band Bozen Überetsch strives for the highest musical heights.
Founded in 2008, Brass Band Bozen Überetsch is a volunteer-based organisation established under the new regulations of the Third Sector in Italy. It comprises 35 members from a catchment area within a 50-kilometre radius, including musicians from Villnöß, Brixen, Naturns, Altrei, Partschins, and the Sarntal Valley, as well as the greater Bolzano and Überetsch areas. In 2022, the average age of the current line-up was just 28.6 years.
All age groups represented in the Brass Band
A unique feature of Brass Band Bozen Überetsch is its appeal to motivated musicians across all age groups; there is a 68-year age gap between the youngest and oldest members. Much like the traditional wind bands typical of South Tyrol, the band is a melting pot of all social backgrounds: from pupils and students to technicians, engineers, and directors, the 35 members (as per standard instrumentation) prepare intensively for contests and concerts.
Preserving culture and community spirit
Brass Band Bozen Überetsch is registered in the new Italian National Single Register of the Third Sector (RUNTS) under repertoire number 68227 and is therefore committed to full transparency regarding its association data. The band strives to enrich the cultural landscape of South Tyrol and aims to provide dedicated and talented musicians with a platform to rehearse and perform technically demanding and complex works that push beyond the qualitative boundaries of traditional wind bands. All members provide their services on a voluntary basis.
The first concert
On 9 November 2008, the musicians, led by conductor Hans Finatzer, performed their debut concert. Since then, a passion for music, new friendships, and the ambition to grow together have been the inexhaustible driving forces behind the development of Brass Band Bozen Überetsch. Through numerous workshops with world-renowned conductors, collaborations with national and international soloists, and exchanges with fellow brass bands, the ensemble has continually refined and shaped its unique sound.
International Success of Brass Band Bozen Überetsch
This progress is reflected in the feedback from international adjudicators at various competitions. Through consistent rehearsal work and the dedication of the musicians during preparation, the quality of performance has been elevated to the highest level in a short space of time. At the 2019 Italian Brass Band Championships, the band was commended for another significant improvement, and the percussion section was honoured with the award for "Best Section of the Competition."
Making its debut at the 43rd EBBC in Birmingham on 1 May 2022 in the "Challenge Section," Brass Band Bozen Überetsch was initially ranked fourth by the international experts following a very successful but not quite flawless performance. However, the jury behind the curtain had a different perspective: audience juror Stephen Mead praised the band for a spirited and courageous performance that left the audience wanting more. Erik Janssen judged: "Bravo, this was most enjoyable, congratulations on an inspiring performance"; Gary Cutt noted: "Exciting to listen to, builds to a very impressive close"; and Katrina Marzella commented: "Overall a confident and well-prepared performance". With these scores, Brass Band Bozen Überetsch achieved an excellent 2nd place in the points standings, becoming European Vice-Champions, trailing the winners "Brass Band Regensburg" by just a single point.
Dr Robert Childs, one of Europe's most successful brass band conductors, wrote of the band’s most recent concert: "I enjoyed listening to your super performance. It was full of colour, excitement, and drama. All the soloists performed well, and the conductor shaped the music very well too."
What is a Brass Band?
A brass band is a musical ensemble consisting entirely of brass instruments and a percussion section. Unlike traditional wind bands or symphony orchestras, a British-style brass band follows a strictly standardised instrumentation, which produces its unique, homogenous, and orchestral sound.
A defining characteristic is the predominant use of conical-bore instruments (such as cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas). This creates a rich, warm, and mellow blend, while still being capable of extraordinary power and brilliance during virtuosic passages. In addition to the saxhorn family, the line-up includes trombones (which are cylindrical bore) and a versatile percussion section.
The origins of this tradition date back to 19th-century England, where bands often emerged from mining and industrial communities. Today, the brass band movement is a global phenomenon known for its exceptional technical standards, driven by a vibrant competitive scene known as "contesting."
