Musical director:
Joost Broekman
The brass band Freunde Echo consists of an energetic, young and dynamic group of 16 musicians. Their fondness for Czech brass music ensures that the brass band from Overloon plays with feeling from the heart and presents itself sonorously.
At the end of the 1960s, Ernst Mosch and his Egerländer musicians were also very popular in the Netherlands. In the summer of 1969, passionate musicians founded the brass band Freunde Echo. At first they played without clarinets, but the saxophonists soon switched to clarinets. After being encouraged by a jury member at a competition, the self-study is supplemented by lessons at the music school.
Competitions were an important part of the band’s programme in the early years. Gradually, the number of competitions decreased, as did the enthusiasm to take part in them. 1989 was the last year in which the band took part in a competition.
From the 1990s onwards, the repertoire gradually changed from Bohemian to predominantly Moravian music. The repertoire is supplemented by well-known hits. Vlado Kumpan or bands such as Moravanka, Tufaranka or Mistrinanka are now the role models. Freunde Echo has been playing in its current line-up for more than 15 years. Some of the musicians are still members of the fanfare association.
The bandleader Joost Broekman is also a musician on the 1st flugelhorn and trumpet. The Freunde Echo brass band is becoming increasingly well known both nationally and internationally. It performs in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and of course a lot in the Netherlands – including at many festivities in its home village of Overloon. This is still the case today. Years with almost 70 performances are no exception.
At every performance, the Freunde Echo brass band endeavours to create a celebration for the audience and the musicians – with soul and feeling, with love and quality. Czech polkas, waltzes and solo numbers are played in turn. The Freunde Echo brass band has a vocal trio. Therefore, songs with Czech and German vocals are played.