Draw sets the stage for ECWO in Stuttgart

Excitement is building: yesterday‘s draw of the running order marks a milestone on the road to the European Championship of Wind Orchestras (ECWO), taking place this November in the Messe Stuttgart, Hall C1.

Ten outstanding wind orchestras from across Europe will gather in Stuttgart to compete in one of the most prestigious competitions for symphonic wind music. ECWO stands for musical excellence, artistic diversity, and international exchange – and once again promises a weekend full of emotion top-level performances, and inspiring soundscapes. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to experience Europe’s finest wind orchestras live over the course of a single weekend.

ECWO will take place as part of BRAWO 2026 from November 21 to 22, making it an integral part of one of Europe’s most significant wind music events.

“The draw marks the moment when the competition becomes truly tangible for the orchestras. Now the decisive phase of preparation begins,” explains ECWO President Jan Matthys. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome ten top ensembles from across Europe to Stuttgart. They represent the quality and diversity of the European wind orchestra scene and will offer audiences an unforgettable musical experience.”

Paul Lehrieder, President of the BDMV, which is organizing the competition on site, is also looking ahead to the event with great anticipation: “The ECWO is an outstanding example of the unifying power of music in Europe. It is a great honor for us to host this competition in Stuttgart as part of BRAWO and to bring together musicians from all over Europe.”

The competition spans two days and offers audiences a dense program at the highest level. The first six orchestras will perform on Saturday, followed by four more ensembles on Sunday.

The ECWO is supported by Adams Musical Instruments, which will provide all percussion equipment, and by SV SparkassenVersicherung.

Running order

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2026

01 - Orchestre d'Harmonie des Jeunes de Strasbourg (France)
02 - Rødovre Concert Band (Denmark)
03 - Christiania Blåseensemble (Norway)
04 - Sinfonisches Blasorchester Tirol (Austria)
05 - Uppsala Blåsarsymfoniker (Sweden)
06 - Musikkforeningen Nidarholm (Norway)*

SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2026

07 - Pihalni orkester Zarja Šoštanj (Slovenia)
08 - Koninklijk HarmonieOrkest Schelle (Belgium)
09 - Landesblasorchester Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
10 - Associazione Bandistica Increscendo APS (Italy)

‍*defending champion

Tickets will be available soon!