French Night: Orchestre de la Garde républicaine

French elegance with a golden harmony sound

It is with great pride that WMC presents the prestigious French wind band Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine during French Night. Founded in 1848, this formation has long been at the heart of the European wind band tradition and has achieved worldwide fame.

After many years, they return to Kerkrade - a special moment you won't want to miss. The programme features their characteristic French sound: original repertoire, golden works and masterful transcriptions that showcase the unique timbre of this orchestra. Led by their professional musicians, they will bring an evening of elegance, finesse and classical allure.
We invite you to a festive evening where military tradition meets concertante beauty, presented by an orchestra that symbolises quality and musical culture in Europe. France in optima forma - this French Night will be a musical experience at the highest level.

Programme

Best of European Wind Bands
Conductor: Lieutenant-colonel Bastien Stil

La Marseillaise|| Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Overture Le Carnaval Romain || Hector Berlioz
Le Chant des ténèbres || Thierry Escaich
Soloist: Christian Wirth (saxophone)
Daphnis et Chloé : Suite n°2 || Maurice Ravel

INTERMISSION

Dionysiaques || Florent Schmitt
Rhapsodie pour clarinette || Claude Debussy
Soloist: Amaury Viduvier (clarinet)
Cheval de Feu (Dutch premiere) || Frédéric Unterfinger
Ikiru Yorokobi || Roger Boutry

This concert is part of the World Music Competition (WMC) 2026 in Kerkrade

This global music festival guarantees top wind music, experience and conviviality

With a 75-year history, the WMC guarantees spectacular music of the highest order. More than 250 orchestras and bands from 31 countries and 5 continents will take part in the competitions of the anniversary edition, which takes place between 9 July and 2 August. With this strong international field of participants, the traditional concert, marching and show competitions and more than 450 activities in the Rodahal, Parkstad Limburg Stadium, Theater Kerkrade and on the Market Square in Kerkrade, the anniversary year of the WMC will have extra sparkle.

Every four years, the international world of wind music comes together in Kerkrade for the WMC. From 9 July, the world's largest stage for wind bands, fanfares, brass bands, percussion ensembles and marching and show bands will once again burst onto the scene. During recent editions, the WMC recorded around 20,000 participating musicians and 350,000 visitors.

'Best of Brass & Best of European Wind Bands'

Besides the competition programme in the Rodahal, Theater Kerkrade and in the Parkstad Limburg Stadium, numerous other activities will take place. WMC proudly presents a concert series in which - including the Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine - the absolute top of the international music world will shine. In addition, the cycle includes two concerts with the very best brass bands and brass ensembles of the moment during the Brass Gala (Brassband Willebroek and Cory Band) and the concert of German Brass and the traditional final of the International Conductors' Competition with the Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso.

Check WMC.nl for all information, programme and the online ticket shop.

For questions about tickets, go to wmc.nl/tickets