The composition For the Time Being has been chosen as the test piece (3rd division fanfare) for the World Music Contest in 2026 in Kerkrade.
“We are heading towards a very busy WMC.” The organization of the World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade expects more than 300 orchestras and bands from all corners of the world to participate in the 20th edition in 2026. After the decline in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, music associations worldwide are once again showing great interest in traveling to Limburg next year. Artistic manager Björn Bus notes that international interest is back to the level of 2017, when 300 ensembles performed in the Rodahal, the Parkstad Limburg Stadium, and Theater Kerkrade. “We are heading towards a very busy WMC,” he says. “Bands and ensembles are eager to participate. At the moment, I am receiving applications from all over the world: from Australia and New Zealand to Singapore and Malaysia.”
Two compositions from the list have been specially commissioned by WMC. “We have asked Kevin Houben to compose a challenging piece for the first division fanfare,” says Bus. “For the youth division within brass bands, British composer Liz Lane has written a piece. She is a very creative composer who writes a lot for youth orchestras, which is why we approached her for this.” Not all compulsory pieces are new. Epiphany by Henk Badings has been selected as the test piece for the second division wind band. This piece premiered in 1981, performed by Harmonieorkest St. Michaël from Thorn. WMC has now commissioned a new arrangement of the work. “Henk Badings is one of the great composers in wind music,” says Bus. “Moreover, he is closely connected to our festival. The WMC theme tune was composed by him. By performing this work again, we honor our past during this 20th edition.”
TEST PIECES
CONCERT BAND
1st division: Trencadís (2023): Bert Appermont (BE)
2nd division: Epiphany (1979): Henk Badings (NL)
3rd division: Evolutions for Winds (2023): Marco Pütz (LU)
youth division: Impressions of Caucasus (2022): Amir Molookpour (IR)
FANFARE
1st division: New work: Kevin Houben (BE).
2nd division: The Sky is the Limit (2002): Maurice Hamers (NL)
3rd division: For the Time Being (2025): Arend Gerds (NL)
BRASSBAND
Concert division: Mirage (2025): Jan de Haan (NL)
1st division: Ghosts of Industry (2024): Lucy Pankhorst (GB)
2nd division: Modern Times (2024): Etienne Crausaz (CH)
3rd division: Black Gold (2025): Thierry Deleruyelle (FR)
youth division: New work (2025): Liz Lane (GB)
