North of England Brass Band Championships of Great Britain

The very best of luck to all bands at the Albert Hall this weekend, especially the qualifiers from the North of England Easington Colliery Brass Band & NASUWT Riverside Band

2024 National Championship of Great Britain Final — Championship Section preview The National Final remains strong in spirit and contesting intrigue, but is age finally catching up with it at the Royal Albert Hall?

🇬🇧 The countdown to National Finals continues!

Don’t forget about our open rehearsal this coming Wednesday at the Salvation Army Hall at Sherburn Hill! Admission is free and everyone is welcome to come and hear us before we travel to London to represent the North of England ❤️💛🖤

Championship Section Final 2024
🔟 DAYS TO GO

Having just recovered from the epic Sections 1-4 Finals 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse, we are now only 10 days away from the pinnacle of the "Nationals" series: the Championship Section Final! This event has been held at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall every year since 1945 (except 2020).

Details of the 2024 event are below:

📆 Saturday 5 October
📍 Royal Albert Hall
🎶 Harrison's Dream (Peter Graham)

20 of Great Britain's finest brass bands will perform Peter Graham’s wonderful set test-piece “Harrison’s Dream” (first performed at the RAH in 2000), and will compete for the famous National Challenge Trophy as well as the prestigious title of "National Champion Band of Great Britain 2024" 🏆

The competition is being held at arguably the most iconic live music venue in the world! 🌍

Audience members will also be treated to a Gala Concert before the Results Ceremony, and a Fanfare Team will herald the announcement of this year's Champion Band 🎺

To secure your seat at this incredible event, please contact the Royal Albert Hall Box Office directly:

🌍 https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/
📞 +44 (0) 20 7589 8212 (09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday)
🚶🏻‍♂️ In-person at Door 12 (09:00-21:00 daily)
📱 Social media channels

In the lead-up to this event, we will post a different story on our social media channels each day - so keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow's announcement! 👀

🇬🇧 The countdown to National Finals Begins!

In just two weeks the band will travel down to the capital to represent the North of England at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Preparations are well underway and the band will host an open rehearsal on Wednesday 2nd October at the Salvation Army facility in Sherburn Hill at 7:30pm.

Admission is free and all are welcome! ❤️🖤💛

Result: 2024 Second Section National Championship of Great Britain 19 bands have been competing on Albinus Variations by Etienne Crausaz to become Second Section National Champion.

Result: 2024 Fourth Section National Championship of Great Britain It's a National title for Bettshanger Welfare who only returned to the contesting arena this year.

Result: 2024 First Section National Championship of Great Britain 19 bands have been battling on Jan Van der Roost's 'Excalibur' at The Centaur in Cheltenham.

Looking for something to do today? Come along to Exhibition park in Newcastle and hear us play. We have 2 sets one at 12:15pm and one at 2pm. Would be great to see you there!

Huge congratulations to Flookburgh Band on their 2nd place in the 3rd Section at the National Finals! 🏆

REGIONALS 2025 TEST PIECE ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

The five set test pieces for next year’s Regional Championships are as follows:

CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION
Diversions (Derek Bourgeois)
Published by Studio Music

SECTION ONE
Introduction, Elegy & Caprice (Morley Calvert)
Published by Studio Music

SECTION TWO
Friendly Takeover (Oliver Waespi)
Published by Beriato Music

SECTION THREE
Arkansas (Jacob de Haan)
Published by Hal Leonard Europe

SECTION FOUR
I, Daedalus (Andrea Price)
Published by Andrea Price Music - new composition

More information about each work is below:

DIVERSIONS
Derek Bourgeois wrote "Diversions" in the summer of 1985 to a commission from the Skellerup Brass Band.

After his last championships test-piece "Blitz", which was aggressive and forceful, the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.

The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored. The second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.

The second movement is an expressive andante in a free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand form control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.

The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!

INTRODUCTION, ELEGY & CAPRICE
This work was commissioned for the 1978 European Brass Band Championships, and was part of a series of major works by Calvert. These include Suite from the Monteregian Hills, An Occasional Suite, Suite on Canadian Folk-Songs and Romantic Variations.

Introduction, Elegy and Caprice begins dramatically with a figure in the horns above
ostinato timpani. This leads to a boisterous allegro which uses the same material (much
speeded-up). The slow movement, Elegy, is simple in structure: a lamenting theme is
repeated four times, each occasion with different contrapuntal and harmonic colouring, and it leads without pause into the final movement, a rondo full of good humour and bustling activity.

FRIENDLY TAKEOVER
Friendly Takeover was composed for the 2016 Swiss Wind Band Convention in Montreux.

In this three-movement piece the composer experiments with lyrical motives combined with rhythmical pulses in different metres throughout the piece. In the finale, the musical scene is taken over completely by groove-based rhythms. This takeover, however, is of a friendly nature, as the various beats are not being conceived as rivals of the lyrical motives, but are rather supposed to infuse energy and vitality to the latter. Thus, one gets the impression of an ongoing acceleration throughout the piece.

ARKANSAS
The American state of Arkansas is often called ‘the natural state’ and ‘the land of opportunity’. This piece belongs to Jacob de Haan’s series of musical montages depicting various states in the USA, including Dakota, Oregon and Virginia.

Arkansas is a suite in three movements based on a well-known native American folk song. It appears as a ballade, variations and finally accompanies a jazzy rhythm. The folk song helps provide continuity throughout the three movements.

I, DAEDALUS
Daedalus (pronounced day-da-luss) is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, renowned for his exceptional skills as an inventor, craftsman, and architect. The story of Daedalus symbolises human ingenuity, and epitomises the complex relationship between human creativity and its consequences. His myths explore themes of innovation, pride, and the perilous balance between human ambition and natural limits.

After designing the labyrinth for King Minos, Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a tower in Crete. Daedalus fashioned wings from feathers and wax, and father and son set out on their ill-fated escape.

The music is through-composed, with a short introduction leading to five main sections:
I – Inventor in the Tower
II – Father and Son
III – Flight and Fall
IV – Lament
V – Seeker of Knowledge

🇬🇧

2 days to go before we set off for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain

This was an exciting thing to see when we walked into the “big room downstairs “ tonight, although it might not be quite so exciting when our MD listens back to our finals test piece!
Another practice ticked off!

Last rehearsal this evening before making the 235 mile to Cheltenham to compete in the National Brass Band Championships.

We've put a lot of time and effort into our performance of Albinus Variations and are very much looking forward to competing on Sunday.

The very best of luck to everyone competing in Cheltenham at the National Finals this weekend and next month at the Albert Hall, especially to the bands representing the North of England! Play well and enjoy yourselves 🍀
North Skelton Band
Tewit Silver Band
Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band
Ferryhill Town Band
Flookburgh Band
Spennymoor Town Band
Craghead Colliery Band
Penrith Town Band

REGIONALS 2025 - Pre Order your REGIONALS 2025 CD today
https://www.brassband.co.uk/sheet-music/search/Regional_Championships_2025
Our Regionals 2025 Test Pieces page is ready for you to order your band's set work for next year's Regional Championships & you can pre-order now, Regionals 2025 CD. Set works will be announced at the Lower Section National Finals. Anyone care to guess the track listing? 😉

The countdown is on. It’s national finals contest week and the band are in great spirits 🎺 Preparations are set and we will give it 100% for the North of England Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Good luck 🍀 to our fellow competitors and friends that will be there this weekend.

The Regional Test Pieces reveal will be soon.
And we are extending our UN-MATCHED and UN-BEATABLE offer to the Scottish Championships.
...........................WIN ONE - GET ONE FREE

Buy your regional test piece from us then QUALIFY for the Finals and we will provide your finals piece FREE.....

At Durham Music we appreciate the expense that northern bands face in competing at the finals in the South of England. We have committed to this offer to help, in a small way, the bands representing 2 regions.
We place ourselves at risk financially.
But hope sufficient bands choose to be involved in the knowledge they are helping their fellow bandsmen chase the big prize.
We will be listing pieces soonest after the announcement on our www.DurhamMusicOnline.co.uk website for orders.

You may message us beforehand to register interest in this offer and then confirm your order in the week following the reveal so you can check your library.
****************
Some clarifications are in order:-
Pay on order for your Regional piece - but, recall, we don't add postage to orders over £40 so the catalogue price is all you'll pay.

As finals pieces are supplied FREE there will be a postage charge.

Offer subject to our ability to purchase music on a trade basis - if Regional or Final pieces are only offered direct to end users or without facility for trade discount to ourselves then this commitment is void and revoked.

ADJUDICATOR SWAP AT SECTIONS 1-4 FINALS

Two adjudicators are swapping roles at the upcoming Sections 1-4 Finals 2024, which is being held at The Centaur (Cheltenham Racecourse) over the weekend of Saturday 14-Sunday 15 September.

Andrea Price will now be adjudicating the Section 2 Final, with Nicholas Garman changing to the Section 3 Final due to a family commitment that has arisen since his initial appointment.

(The other two sections at this event are unaffected).

To confirm the full list of adjudicators:
Section 1 Final – Roger Argente, Dr Robert Childs, Alan Morrison
Section 2 Final – Brett Baker, Ian Porthouse, Andrea Price
Section 3 Final – Nicholas Garman, John Maines, Sandy Smith
Section 4 Final - Stephanie Binns, David Hirst, Paul Holland

We would like to express our gratitude to Andrea Price for swapping sections at this late stage.

The North of England Brass Band Championships will take place once again at the Gala Theatre Durham on Saturday 22nd March and Sunday 23rd March 2025.

Saturday 22nd March: Sections One, Four and Three (in that order).
Sunday 23rd March: Sections Two and Championship (in that order).

Entry forms and other information will be sent out towards the end of the year along with other details.

The North of England has a vibrant Brass Band Scene, and we look forward to welcoming bands once again to Durham.

Don’t worry if you have not entered before, just get in touch and we will be happy to help you enter and ensure you have a warm welcome to Durham.

Please get in touch if you require any further information.

Tony Griffiths
Regional Secretary



https://noebrassband.co.uk/news/north-of-england-regional-championships-2025

Best wishes to all our qualifying bands for this weekend's National Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham.
Kirkbymoorside Town
Houghton Brass
Tewit Silver
Bearpark & Esh Colliery
Jayess Newbiggin
Ellington Colliery
Flookburgh Silver
North Lakes Brass

We hope you all have a great weekend.

Great to see so many traders supporting us in Cheltenham.

We’ve got a fantastic selection of exhibitors present at the Sections 1-4 Finals 2022 this weekend, which is being held at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse - come and say hello!

Thank you in advance to all of these companies for supporting this event:

Ev-entz World of Brass Brass Band Insurance Services Mercer & Barker Ltd Geneva Group Rosehill Instruments John Packer Ltd Noteservice Band Music HAYES MUSIC Larch Music Wessex Tubas Bandsman Gins Band Supplies Ltd. British Army

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content from this weekend’s action!

Information from Kapitol Promotions ahead of next weekend’s National Finals.

SECTIONS 1-4 FINALS 2022 ANNOUNCEMENT

Kapitol Promotions Ltd., presenter of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, has confirmed that the Sections 1-4 Finals of the ‘National’ series will go ahead as planned, from Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 September 2022, at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.

Company MD, Philip Morris, commented: “Following official confirmation that the state funeral for HM Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19 September, the Sections 1-4 Finals will go ahead at the above dates and all competing bands are being notified by email as quickly as possible.

Philip Morris added: “The National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain was, as always, extremely honoured that, once again, Queen Elizabeth II extended her patronage of the ‘National’ earlier this year, and we hope that the Sections 1-4 Finals bands, supporters and audiences take the opportunity of coming together for the Finals, to join the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth in commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s exemplary life of duty and service.

'When there are no words, let the music speak'.
R.I.P Your Majesty

The countdown is on…

Sections 1-4 Finals 2022 LIST OF COMPETING BANDS
We are less than three weeks out from the Sections 1-4 Finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2022, being held at The Centaur (Cheltenham Racecourse) over the weekend of Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September.

67 qualified bands from across Great Britain will be in attendance, each one hoping to become National Champion Band in their respective section.

Bands have been asked to submit a Website Profile as part of their upcoming performance at the Sections 1-4 Finals 2022 - please view them all here:
http://www.nationalbrassbandchampionships.com (then navigate to Finals > Qualifiers > and pick a section)!

Please see full list of competing bands in the comments.

https://www.facebook.com/301099149924757/posts/5788987714469179/?d=n&mibextid=0x7PCD

All the bands that are attending the lower section finals in September are invited to send details to The Bandsman which can be used in the comments over the weekend of the finals.

Info that is useful are names of your principal players, your bands Twitter name, what the band think of the piece.

If you want to send the info then email [email protected] over the next month and I will use it to make comments on your band a bit more personal to you.