Brabant is one of the two Southern provinces of Holland that are known for their outstanding wind orchestras. The format can change from Brassband to Symphonic Band or Fanfare but much like the province of Valencia, every town and village has one or more bands. Most bands both have a concert routine as well as a social and ceremonial function within their community.

The Brabants Harmonie Orkest (Banda de Brabant) was founded in 2004 to provide an extra platform for enthusiastic band musicians of the Province of Brabant. No real artistic criteria are required to join the orchestra and the musicians come from all over the province and from all types of orchestras.

The BHO hopes to offer a new level of playing for its member by establishing a regular performance routine with renowned conductors and with a repertoire that maybe would not be possible for the members to perform within their own bands.

One of the goals of the orchestra once fully established is to also be pro-active in the promotion of the wind music from Brabant in a very broad perspective. Performances of compositions by Brabant composers (maybe even commissioned), guest stages by talented young Brabant conductors, appearances at Brabant events are some of the options that spring to mind.

The Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Musica in Valencia is the first big event for the band to participate in. In preparation of the concert in the Section Honour, the BHO has also given a concert in the Provincial Government Hall in the provinces capital of Den Bosch.

Sef Pijpers

He was actually born right above the rehearsal room of the harmonie St. Caecilia in Beek (Limburg). At very young age he studied French horn and conducting at the music conservatory in Maastricht. After playing in all kinds of bands and ensembles he was appointed sole French horn player of the Symphony Orchestra of Brabant in Den Bosch. He also performed as a bas-baritone singer.

As a conductor he has worked with several professional symphony orchestras in Holland but he has earned his biggest successes as a conductor of wind orchestras. Many national and international championships were obtained with renowned bands such as the Koninklijke Harmonie van Thorn (Certamen 1981), Fanfare St. Joseph Meers, Harmonie Wilhelmina Glanerbrug, Harmonie Petrus and Paulus Wolder and Harmonie Lentekrans Linnne.

Also as a teacher, for instance at the Limburg Conservatory in Maastricht or at the Conservatory of Twnete in Enschede he has educated many talented conductors who have now established their own successful careers.

For his invaluable contribution to amateur music in Holland he has received numerous awards and distinctions, including one from the Dutch Queen. Although officially retired, Sef Pijpers is often asked as a guest conductor by Dutch bands or for special projects such as the Brabants Harmonie Orkest.