Brass Band Willebroek is very sad to inform you that their principal euphonium player Stef Pillaert decided to retire from banding. Conductor and mentor Frans Violet agreed with his resignation after several calls. Brass Band Willebroek is now working on a worthy replacement for the solo euphonium chair.
Stef was a member of Brass Band Willebroek for 28 years. He started his career on 2nd baritone and made it all the way up to one of the finest principal euphonium players in the world. He was the example of a hard working musician, as he combined a fulltime day job as a teacher with hours of practicing the euphonium every day. Stef promoted his instrument both as a soloist and as a brassband musician. Many young euphonium players were inspired by him.
Stef commented he is thankful for all these years of top banding; as there were seventeen Belgian titles, three European titles, a lot of other prizes in major contests and several solo prizes. The opportunity playing ‘Pantomime’ in the Royal Albert Hall is one of his personal highlights. Stef wishes the band all the best for the very bright future they have in front of them.
Conductor Frans Violet and the members of Brass Band Willebroek wish to thank Stef Pillaert for all these years of serving the band. In 28 years Stef hardly missed a rehearsal or concert, he was the paragon of band commitment.