In March 2018, the Ensemble à Vent du Namurois came into being following numerous unsuccessful attempts by Dominique Bodart to open additional music courses (percussion, chamber music, etc.) to those given in communes bordering the communes in which there are already music academies and/or conservatoires in the Namur region (Eghezée, Gembloux, Sambreville).
The fact is that reduced timetable secondary art education (ESAHR), which is a subsidised, non-compulsory form of education governed by the decree of 2 June 1998, does not allow the academies to extend their scope of action to neighbouring municipalities without obtaining an exemption. Such collaboration between municipal entities would require the subsidising authority to increase the budget allocated to these academies.
In response to the real need expressed by these young and not-so-young musicians to be able to practise their music outside the overly formal context of an academy, Brass Promotion asbl set up a coherent permanent training programme in 2005 to meet these needs: Namur Wallonia Brass Band, Big Band Academy Eghezée, Concours International de Trompette ‘Théo Charlier’, International Brass Studio and, since March 2018, the Ensemble vent du Namurois. International Brass Studio and, since March 2018, the Ensemble à vent du Namurois.
This latest project will enable all these young and adult musicians, whatever their level, to develop and progress in a family and intergenerational atmosphere. Rigour and musical quality are the watchwords of this new musical ensemble.
