Live Skills in Motion
Text: Geert Vanmaeckelberghe
Photos: Mariann Libuch Burup & Asbjørn Kobberø
Translation: Bart Tienpont
From 2 to 5 July 2026, Landsgardeforeningen (LGF) organized the national championships for show bands, drum corps, wind orchestras and brass bands in Skive (Central Jutland), Denmark. I was given the opportunity once again to serve as a jury member and to analyze the performances of the drum majors together with their bands. More than eight hundred musicians, representing twenty ensembles, took part in these biennial national competitions. In this report, we will highlight the performances of a few participants, but there is no doubt that we thoroughly enjoyed watching all the participating bands.
‘Bymarch’ marching competition
On Friday, the marching competitions took place in the center of Skive. Once again, the organization provided a well-thought-out and intelligent route with multiple direction changes. These were ideal conditions for the international jury team to analyze the various performances and assess them at their true value.
It is wonderful to see how highly the role of the drum major is regarded in Denmark. He or she leads the corps and is the band’s calling card. Danish drum majors perform with flair, charisma and a crisp marching style. Danish show bands also take care of their cultural heritage by wearing traditional uniforms while playing contemporary, trendy music. How hip and cool is that?
Det Ny Fynske Tambourkorps (The New Fynske Drum Corps) is a completely new drum band with seven musicians. For me, this ensemble was the revelation of the marching competitions. Dressed in a stunning asymmetrical uniform with large golden buttons, they worked creatively. Every change of direction resulted in successive changes of marching formation. Although they performed without a drum major, the cooperation was excellent. Every musician knew his or her role and how it had to be executed. Commands were given by the leading drummer and followed strictly. Keep an eye on this ensemble in the years to come.
Greve Pipe Garden makes an immediate impression, from the very first step onto the field. This all-girl band has plenty of attitude and personality. There is no timidity here, only confidence; this corps marches forward without hesitation. Dressed in a beautiful outfit, the girls play fantastic music. Mathilde Flandrup leads her corps with a broad smile, flair, and an exemplary marching style—a style that is consistently adopted by all band members. The chemistry between the drum major and the band is outstanding!
Hinnerup Garden is composed of both young and older musicians—how wonderful is that? Musicians of different ages respect one another and work together towards the same goal. This corps is solid and strong, and you can feel it in everything: in the musical execution and in the personality the band radiates. Led by a very good, functional drum major—what a magnificent ensemble!
Vejen Garden is fully back in the LGF competition, and I wholeheartedly welcome that. This is where they belong; they are a true asset. Their music impresses in the streets of Skive, and those basses (sousaphones) really pack a punch!
Holbæk Garden is led by two outstanding drum majors who perform everything in perfect synchrony—a delight to watch. This band delivers a total spectacle during the street parade. Holbæk executes wide and narrow movements, waves, dance moves, instruments up and down, and visualizes the music. Music and show reinforce one another in the street parade. Rarely, if ever, have I seen something like this: a parade show from beginning to end. It made a deep impression on me. Respect to the creators of this beautiful and varied marching parade. This band, too, is extremely well prepared and fully commits to the parade performance.
For the first time, I saw the drum major of Odder Garden at work. From the first to the very last step, she and her band delivered pure show. What talent, what magnificent entertainment, what versatility, and what joy! This young woman performs, dances, projects, leads and inspires at a very high level. It is infectious to watch, for the audience, the jury, and the musicians alike. The musicians, in turn, give their very best and propel her forward. There is real interaction between the drum major and the band. This girl seems capable of everything: marching, leading, dancing, mace technique, smiling and making people happy.
Every time I come to Denmark, I am moved by the strong sense of solidarity among the musicians. Along the route, they encourage the other corps loudly, with sustained applause. The LGF Championships are about so much more than music and show. Musicians develop their talents and are shaped into wonderful individuals who will carry these experiences with them for the rest of their lives. Respect for one another, for other bands and other musicians, is deeply embedded in the culture of this musical community.
Slagelse Garden marches, makes music, and completely claims the field. There is something about this band that I cannot immediately describe: imposing, grand, precise, accessible and absorbing. Simone Bjergskov Nielsen leads as drum major, doing so in synchrony with the second drum major, who also delivers an excellent performance. Visually, it is a joy to watch. Suddenly, the music captures all attention. I prick up my ears and open all my senses. The music falls silent and then seems to grow towards an apotheosis, a climax. A long note with a beautifully executed forzando piano is played at the exact moment Simone performs a towering toss with the drum major’s mace. Here, music and visual elements merge seamlessly and reinforce one another. A superb toss unfolds, and it feels as if I am enjoying it for minutes. Catch! The mace is caught, the long note ends. What an impact, what interaction with the audience and the jury. As a general effect, this truly counts. This was, as later became clear to me, the moment of the marching competition!
Roskilde Garden is the oldest band and traditionally a boys’ band. Their uniform is dazzling and does full justice to their rich history. Not only their tall bearskin-style hats (high shakos) give this corps a commanding presence, but especially their impeccably tight, exemplary marching style. With confidence, precision and great personality, the thirteen-year-old drum major leads his band. With clear mace commands, he gives direction. In everything he does, his body movement, his facial expression, .. he radiates confidence. Leading by example, he is followed exceptionally well by all band members. The balance between drum major and band is perfect. Every member displays a crisp and exemplary marching style. In terms of chemistry between drum major and band, this corps performs at the very highest level. Roskilde Garden performs as one block, one close-knit team. Needless to say, this corps must have an outstanding instructional team.
Open Class (Freestyle)
On Friday evening, I was part of the jury that evaluated the Open Class, a category where creativity is the starting point. Morsø Garden devised a varied show program and left nothing to chance. Everything revolved around the theme Grease, which was very well developed. Costumes, music, dance and props alternated seamlessly. We saw an inspiring John Travolta and thoroughly enjoyed the show. The joy radiating from these musicians was contagious. Hopefully, their participation will inspire more corps to compete in the Evening Class.
Concert classes
On Saturday, the concert competitions took place for drum corps, wind orchestras and brass bands. I attended the Brass Band Championships and settled into the comfortable seats of the concert hall among the audience. Greve Pipe Garden performed The Wizard of Menlo Park, featuring exceptionally strong soloists. I enjoyed this beautiful performance immensely, closed my eyes and absorbed everything. This is music that touches you deeply, makes you dream, holds you and carries you straight into your heart. This is where you set the scores aside and simply listen to something special. Realizing that I had just experienced something truly unique, I became convinced that Greve Pipe Garden is an exceptionally strong ensemble. The audience rose for a standing ovation. Anyone who thinks this happens only occasionally is mistaken. Here in Denmark, every musical ensemble—no matter how small—is rewarded with a collective standing ovation. The LGF community is about life values that are passed on to young people: developing their talents and allowing them to grow into wonderful individuals who play a meaningful role in society. Respect for one another and standing ovations—it all comes with the territory.
Tattoo – Show competition
On Sunday, twelve show bands competed for the titles in the Show Competition. Not opponents, but allies stepped onto the grass of the beautiful Skive Stadium. Here, I was particularly curious to see how the drum major would be integrated into the show. Hinnerup presented an attractive production: a journey through highlights from films and television programs, all followed from a sofa and controlled with a remote control. Variation, music and humor, including a hilarious toilet break, made this show a product that would not be out of place at any tattoo.
Once again, there was a strong wind. As a jury member, you take this into account when evaluating the spinning and tossing of the drum major’s mace. The drum major of Greve Pipe Garden executed a toss in which she was the only one in the competition who did not have to take a step sideways. It resembled a boomerang effect, with the mace perfectly finding its way back to the hand from which it had been launched. Very impressive.
Once again, the drum majors of Slagelse Garden delivered a surprising effect at the end of their show. Both women threw their maces into the air with a wide spin, swapped positions, and then caught each other’s mace. Seamlessly synchronized and perfectly aligned with the music. What an effect, what a surprise! I did not see this coming. Around me, some people could not hold back their tears.
Social development of youth people
Back home, these championships continue to resonate. Beautiful and unique musical and visual moments are etched into my memory. All of this was made possible by Landsgardeforeningen (LGF), truly an organization based on the idea that musicality and movement strengthen the intellectual and social development of children and young people by enhancing their life skills and competencies. By participating in LGF activities, children and young people come together in an engaged community where age, gender, language, ethnic background, religion and nationality play no role, strengthening cohesion and integration in society. Life values that these musicians will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
