The Trust is thrilled to share the news of the Flowers Band of Gloucester’s historic victory in the 2026 European Championships in Linz. They are the first band for over 30 years to win the competition on its debut appearance, the first British band to win for more than a decade, and they also achieved the third highest points score in the history of the competition.
The Trust supported the Band by funding the commissioning of a new work for this remarkable ensemble to take to the Finals in Austria: West Wind by Oliver Waespi, which the Band performed to great acclaim and a lengthy standing ovation.
The Trust provided this support in memory of its Patron, the late Joseph Horovitz, whose own works for brass band remain staples of the repertoire and whose centenary is this year.