Ticketsales is going very well
Ticket sales for the anniversary edition of the World Music Contest (WMC) are going very well. With just one month to go before the first notes are played in Kerkrade, this is a very positive message for the WMC organization. In particular, the Concert Competitions in the highest divisions for wind bands, fanfare bands, brass bands, and percussion ensembles are virtually sold out. Ticket sales for the second weekend in the stadium are also going very fast. This has even prompted the organization to install extra seats in the main grandstand of the Parkstad Limburg stadium and in the Rodahal.
Tickets for this edition of the WMC were purchased earlier than ever. “Yes, that was quite a surprise. Especially since ticket sales haven't stalled since then. We also notice a lot of activity on social media and that the website is being viewed frequently. People are eagerly anticipating this edition of the WMC, buying tickets, and are very curious about the latest news. In any case, that gives us a very good feeling and a lot of energy heading into the opening of the WMC this coming Thursday, July 9,” says WMC Director Bart van der Roost.
Offering fan tickets to the participating orchestras early has paid off handsomely. “We made a good start with this and laid the foundation for the much-needed revenue to get this unique festival into the black.”
Stadium
During the first two weekends of the WMC (July 11-12 and July 17-19), ticket sales are picking up faster than the first weekend. “We are noticing a slight shift now. Internally, we call this the ‘Blue Devils effect’. This special show band from the US is a real crowd-puller with the start of their European tour and a spectacular program,” explains Van der Roost.
The main grandstand is virtually sold out for the final weekend. There is still plenty of room in other stands, but here too, the advice is not to wait too long, as the best seats are disappearing quickly there as well, reports the WMC organization.
Additional seats
Due to the high demand for the main grandstand tickets, the WMC is adding at least 250 seats per match day. “That is correct; these very last seats will go on sale starting mid-June. If people are interested in them, we urge them to place themselves on the waiting list via the website as soon as possible. They will then be the first to be notified as soon as these tickets go on sale.”
In addition to the regular tickets mentioned above, there are also a limited number of skybox seats with a catering package for sale.
Concert competitions
For the Concert Division wind band, fanfare band, brass band, and percussion, almost all tickets are already sold out. Here too, the WMC organization intends to add extra seats. Interested parties should also place themselves on the waiting list via the website as soon as possible to be eligible for these very last tickets.
Tickets are still available for the competitions in the other divisions. “You can still fully enjoy the performances here. In fact, we are urging people to visit these divisions in particular. The WMC is a grassroots sport event. Alongside the Champions League or Olympic Games of wind music, the youth and lower divisions also offer unique musical experiences that are moving and that you won't want to miss,” explains Artistic Director Björn Bus.
Youth Wind Band Division Draws Full House
The WMC organization is also pleasantly surprised by the high level of interest in the youth wind band division. “Tickets for this competition are now virtually sold out, remarkable considering that not a single Dutch orchestra is participating, and an acknowledgment that we made a good choice with this WMC premiere,” says the Artistic Director.
Undiscovered Gems
There are still plenty of tickets available for the Best of Brass and European Wind Bands concert series in the Rodahal. “The public has not yet discovered the gems here. They are all exceptional concerts, featuring unique programs and great soloists of an exceptionally high standard. In addition, there are the Italian and French army orchestras in particular, orchestras that rarely perform in this region. It is truly a rare opportunity to see this world-class talent at work, which I hope will eventually get people excited about.”
For these tickets, all other tickets, and the waiting list for the stadium and the Rodahal, see: