Glenn VAN LOOY – en

GLENN VAN LOOY

Born in Bonheiden, in the province of Antwerp (Belgium), Glenn Van Looy has quickly established himself as one of the leading euphonium players of the twenty first century.

Glenn was introduced to playing at a young age by his father, bass trombonist Geert Van Looy. Immediately falling in love with the euphonium he continued study at the Secondary School of Art in Antwerp and the Lemmens Institute in Leuven, under the guidance of Nick Ost.

Equally at home as a soloist performing in ensembles, his career began in a local wind band conducted by his father. His talents were soon recognized when, at the age of eleven, he was recruited as 2nd euphonium with championship section Festival Brass Band. At the tender age of twelve he began a ten-year tenure as solo euphonium of Brass Band Heist, a position he would hold until joining one of the top bands in Europe, Brass Band Buizingen, in 2013.

Glenn’s incredible journey as a soloist has seen him win prestigious competitions in Europe and beyond. His contribution to band performances has been celebrated through soloist awards at the Flemish Open Brass Band Championship and twice at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade (Holland). He has also received awards from Great Britain’s historic brass band contests, including the National Brass Band Championships 2011, British Open Senior Cup 2011 and British Open Senior Trophy 2010; all of which he performed with the Beaumaris Band (Wales).

It is Glenn’s achievements away from brass band contesting that separates him from his contemporaries. He has won the solo championships of his native Belgium in every category, the European Solo Championships in Linz (Austria), been the youngest winner of the British Open Solo Championship and the sought-after title of International Soloist of the Year at the Ern Keller Memorial in Sydney (Australia). He has also won other prestigious intonational titles including the Jeju International Brass Competition (South Korea), UFAM Contest in Paris (France), Lieksa International Euphonium Competition
(Finland) and the Dexia Classic Competition (Belgium); after which Glenn performed the Cosma euphonium concerto with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra.

As a freelance musician Glenn has performed with a variety of ensembles including all the top brass bands in Belgium, the Leyland Band (England), Beaumaris Band (Wales), Co-operative Funeralcare Band (Scotland), Wallberg Band (Swizerland) and the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra. As a concert soloist he has performed with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, European Youth Brass Band, Yorkshire Building Society Band (England), Brighouse and Rastrick Band (England), Brass Band Willebroek (Belgium), Manger Musikklag (Norway), Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Guides, Royal band of the Belgian Marines and other Belgian fanfare and wind bands. Following his promising debut album ‘Move Their Mind’, in 2013 Glenn has released a second album, ‘Stories of Life’, recorded with Manger Musikklag, Allan Withington and World of Brass. Only two months after its release Glenn received coveted recording awards from the world’s leading brass publications, Brass Band World magazine and The British Bandsman. Glenn received the award for player of the year from Brass band World. In 2015 Glenn thought it was time to revive some old repertoire with his ‘Lost Treasure’ CD with a volume 2 recorded in 2017. ‘Step Out’ is Glenn’s latest album recorded in 2019 with Tredegar Town Band.

Glenn is also active as an adjudicator, teacher and conductor. This saw him conduct the Filton Concert Brass at the Welsh Open in Porthcawl where they took the first prize and second prize at the Wychavon Festival of Brass contest. Currently Glenn is busy guest conducting in Europe and full time MD with ‘La Stephania’ in Sembracher and ‘La rose des alpes’ in Savièse, Switzerland He is also the euphonium and tuba teacher at the conservatoire cantonale du Valais in Sion.

In June 2021 Glenn was awarded Doctor in Musical Arts, studies he undertook at the University of Salford (UK).

Website : www.glennvanlooy.be