The Fourth WASBE conference, 1989, was held in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, in conjunction with the World Music Contest.

Under the presidency of Jan Molenaar (The Netherlands) and Chairman Jan Willem ten Brocke (The Netherlands), the conference featured fifteen bands from many parts of the world including the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, the American Waterways Wind Orchestra, the Stockholm Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and the Netherlands Senior Wind Orchestra.

Sessions included “An International Tariff Comparison on Performing Rights,” “Early American Wind and Ceremonial Music, 1636-1836,” and “International Literature for Wind Band.” BUMA (performing rights society) presented its research results on the image of wind bands among the Dutch public.