About – 21ˢᵗ WASBE 2026 Rio de Janeiro

The WASBE Conference is a unique festival of symphonic wind music, bringing together the finest wind bands, ensembles, conductors, musicians, and experts from around the world. For over four decades, this biennial event has traveled across cultural hubs, fostering artistic exchange and innovation in wind music. In 2026, the WASBE Conference arrives in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, a place where music is not just an art form but a defining element of its identity.

Miguel Etchegoncelay

President of WASBE

WASBE 2026 in RIO DE JANEIRO

Dear colleagues, I hope this message finds you well.

As President of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) and also personally, I am pleased to cordially invite your bands to participate in the 21st WASBE International Conference, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 21st to 25th, 2026.

This will be the first time that our conference takes place in Latin America, offering a unique opportunity for bands from our region to showcase their talent and share their rich musical diversity with colleagues from around the world.

Bands interested in performing should submit their application to the WASBE Artistic Planning Committee (APC, Joop Boerstoel) before May 1st, 2025. The selected groups will be announced on June 1st, 2025.

Furthermore, we invite passionate and innovative educators, conductors, composers, and researchers to submit proposals for presentations at the conference. Topics may include, but are not limited to: repertoire, pedagogy, programming, conducting, and future perspectives.

We look forward to your valuable participation to make this conference an unforgettable event that celebrates and enriches band music in our region and worldwide.

I remain at your disposal for anything you may need.

Sincerely,

Miguel Etchegoncelay President of WASBE

Rio de Janeiro State Department of Culture and Creative Economy

A City of Music: Rio Welcomes the WASBE Conference

As Secretary of State for Culture and Creative Economy of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I express my immense joy and satisfaction with the hosting of the 21st Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in our city, in July 2026.

Rio de Janeiro, with its renowned vocation for tourism and for hosting major events, such as the Olympics and the World Cup, possesses the ideal infrastructure and cultural diversity to welcome WASBE. Our concert halls, such as the iconic Theatro Municipal and Sala Cecília Meireles, and alternative spaces like Cinelândia Square and Passeio Público Park, will be available to provide memorable musical experiences.

In addition to the natural beauty and tourist attractions that enchant the world, Rio de Janeiro stands out for its rich musical scene, with symphony orchestras, universities with music programs, and a vibrant landscape of music bands and wind orchestras throughout the state and region.

The WASBE 2026 Conference represents a unique opportunity to promote music education, democratize access to an event of great magnitude, and celebrate the diversity of concert wind music. I believe that this gathering will strengthen the ties between musicians from around the world, drive the creation of new works, and leave a lasting cultural legacy for our city and for Latin America.

The Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat for Culture and Creative Economy reaffirms its full support for the realization of this event. We are eager to welcome the WASBE community and share the passion for music that beats in every corner of Rio de Janeiro!

Danielle Barros – Rio de Janeiro State Department of Culture and Creative Economy

Vice-diretor and artistic director of UFRJ School of Music & LOC Executive Chairmam

WASBE 2026 in Rio: A Latin American Dream Celebrating Music and Education

It is with immense joy and enthusiasm that I share with all colleagues passionate about the world of the Symphonic Band the realization of a long-cherished dream: the hosting of the 2026 WASBE International Conference in the vibrant heart of Rio de Janeiro. This milestone represents not only a meeting of musical minds and talents from around the globe, but also a singular moment of recognition for the rich and diverse contribution of Latin America to the concert wind music scene.

Hosting WASBE in Rio is more than just an event; it is a gesture of inclusion and representation. For the first time, Latin America becomes the central stage to celebrate the excellence of the symphonic band, echoing the passion and dedication of countless educators, musicians, and composers who work tirelessly for the development of this powerful means of musical education and artistic improvement in our lands.

I deeply believe in the transformative power of music and the fundamental role of the symphonic band in shaping young talents, fostering creativity, and elevating the human spirit. WASBE 2026 in Rio will be a unique opportunity to strengthen these ties, exchange valuable experiences, and, what fills me with particular contentment, to drive the creation of new musical works that value the Latin American artistic identity and enrich the global repertoire.

This gathering is a tribute to art in its purest essence and its invaluable worth to society. By welcoming the WASBE community to Rio de Janeiro, we open the doors to a global musical dialogue, where the colors, rhythms, and melodies of Latin America will shine brightly, inspiring and being inspired by the diverse cultures present.

To you, conductor, musician, composer, educator, student, researcher, and to everyone whose heart beats to the contagious rhythm of symphonic bands: come to Rio de Janeiro in July 2026! Immerse yourself in this unique experience of learning, knowledge exchange, and celebration of our shared passion. And, beyond the rich conference program, allow yourself to experience the contagious energy of this marvelous city, with its exuberant natural beauty, vibrant culture, and the warm hospitality of its people. Come and blend in with the best that Rio de Janeiro has to offer, from its iconic beaches and breathtaking landscapes to its delicious gastronomy and its unparalleled musical atmosphere.

I would like to express my profound gratitude for the invaluable institutional support of the Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy, Funarj, the Theatro Municipal Foundation, Sala Cecília Meireles, UFRJ, the School of Music, the José Bonifácio University Foundation, and the hundreds of tireless individuals who are connected, dedicating their time and talent to support this grand event. Our sincere thanks also go to the institutions from all over Latin America that are joining forces to make this dream a reality, and to each of the dedicated members of the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) for their passion and commitment.

I count on the presence and participation of each of you in this historic moment. Together, we will make WASBE 2026 in Rio an unforgettable event, a catalyst for the growth of the symphonic band, and a celebration of the art that unites and elevates us. Welcome to Rio, the home of music and passion!