Glenn Van Looy

Born in Bonheiden, Belgium, Glenn Van Looy has quickly established himself as one of the leading euphonium players of the 21st century.

Glenn was introduced to playing at a young age by his father, Geert. 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.

His talents were soon recognised when, at the age of 11, he was recruited by Championship Section Festival Brass Band. At the tender age of 12 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 National Brass Band Championships, the British Open Senior Cup and British Open Senior Trophy; all of which were 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 Airforce and other Belgian fanfare and wind bands. He currently plays principal euphonium with Valaisia Brass Band (Switzerland).

To find out more please visit www.glennvanlooy.be