Sixteen of England’s finest bands will lock horns on 28 June,
to battle it out for the chance to represent their country at the
2009 European Brass Band Championships. The English national Brass
band Championship (ENBBC) returns to the Preston Guild Hall with
arguably the strongest line-up in the event’s short history.
The 2007 champion Grimethorpe Colliery Band will be back in Preston
following it’s comprehensive victory last year. On the tail
of the South Yorkshire band will be a new contender for the ENBBC
title, Black Dyke. This is the first time that the Queensbury based
band has accepted the invitation to compete for the ENBBC title
and it will take to the guild hall stage with the aim of reaching
it’s first European since 2006. There will be a host of other
big name contenders, such as Foden’s Richardson and Brighouse
& Rastrick , keen to deny the two Yorkshire giants, as well
as in form bands like Leyland, Rothwell Temperance, and Carlton
Main Frickley Colliery, which will be eager to be in the mix come
result time.
The competition was founded in 2006, with the first event held
at The Lowry in Salford, to provide England with it’s own
Champion. Foden’s Richardson was the first winner, and represented
England at the 2007 European Championships in Birmingham. Grimethorpe
will appear in Stravanger as 2007 Champion.
Following the success of Robert Redhead’s Isaiah 40,
commissioned for the 1996 National Championships of Great Britain
in the Royal Albert Hall, and used again at last year’s regional
championships, the BFBB had no hesitation in asking the renowned
Salvationist composer to provide the test for this year’s
competition, and is grateful to SP&S Ltd., which commissioned
the work. As with Isaiah 40, Infinity draws it’s
inspiration from scripture, on this occasion, Psalm 8. the music
seeks to portray the majesty, eternal and infinite qualities of
God, through the development of the work’s early hymn like
material. Robert Redhead’s performance notes encourage conductors
to explore the expressive melody and underlying harmonies in the
opening theme, which then progresses with energy and excitement.
There are opportunities for soloists to express themselves, including
a prominent unison motif from the horn section, similar in many
respects to the aforementioned Isaiah 40. The closing moments
‘should express magnificence’, says the composer, with
the aim of defining ‘absolute infinity’. Early suggestions
from competing bands are that the music will provide a stern technical,
but enjoyable musical test.
The musicians charged with the task of judging the bands on this
occasion are the experienced trio of Nigel Boddice, David Horsfield,
and Chris Wormold, the latter having judged at the inaugural event
in 2006.
The BFBB is keen to develop the profile of this event year upon
year. The Gala concert has been shelved for the time being, and
the results ceremony will directly follow the final performance.
All competing bandpersons will receive a free ticket to enter the
hall throughout the day.
“The event is a must for anyone wanting to hear all the country’s
top brass bands in action. With a new composition to perform, the
event is one of the most iconic in the 2008 brass band calendar”.
(Derek Atkinson (BFBB)).
All day tickets are priced £15 for adults, and £10 for
young people under 16, and are available directly fro Guild hall
box office on 01772 258858
The English National Brass Band Championships 2008 will take place
at Preston Guild Hall on Saturday, 28th June. Sixteen bands have
accepted the invitation from the British Federation of Brass Bands
(BFBB) to the event. They are as follows:
Black Dyke
Brighouse & Rastrick
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Fairey
Fishburn
Fodens Richardson
Grimethorpe Colliery
Hepworth Cookson Homes
Leyland
Mount Charles
Polysteel
Redbridge Brass
Reg Vardy
Rothwell Temperance
Staffordshire
YBS
The winners will be invited to represent England at the 2009 European
Brass Band Championships to be held in Ostende, Belgium (22nd April
- 3rd May).
As previously announced a new work has been commissioned for the
event from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Redhead and the adjudicators
for the championships will be Nigel Boddice, David Horsfield and
Chris Wormald.
Following consultation with the bands and supporters of the event,
the BFBB has decided that the Gala Concert will be omitted from
next year’s event, therefore allowing the results to be announced
as soon as possible after the conclusion of the contest.
The event is a joint promotion between the BFBB and Preston Guild
Hall and following talks with the Guild Hall management, a new ticket
price structure has been agreed. All day tickets will be £15,
OAP’s and under 16’s £10.
As a concession to bands all playing members will receive free
entry to the contest.
A full and exciting day of banding will be assured from sixteen
of England’s top bands, with a trip to Ostende to represent
England the major prize at the end of the day.
BFBB Press Release
The British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) is pleased to confirm
that sponsorship has been secured from Besson for the forthcoming
English National Brass Band Championships.
Commenting on behalf of the BFBB, Chairman, Robert Morgan welcomed
the news that Besson were supporting the event. “It’s
great to have Besson on board” he said “and we wish
them well with the launch of their new products”.
Speaking on behalf of Besson, Sylvie Irvoas, Marketing Manager,
Group Buffet Crampon said “since the acquisition of the Besson
brand we have oriented our sponsoring policy to the National Brass
Band competitions, targeting European contests. We want to keep
close relationships with all the Brass Band Federations and the
European Brass Band Association (EBBA) involved in the development
of the brass culture. This year we have participated in several
contests in England, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland,
Norway and France and we encourage the brass band movement as much
as possible.”
“Being part of this movement would not be possible without
a high level range of instruments and we are proud to carry on the
original Besson’s values as a manufacturer. Besson celebrates
its 170th anniversary this year and the most precious gift to this
brand is the loyalty of the musicians who have played Besson instruments
for several generations and who are now expressing to us their satisfaction
discovering and adopting the new Besson range”.
The ENBBC is the qualifying contest for the European Championships
and this year’s winner will be invited to represent England
in the 2009 Championships.
End of Press Statement
7th June 2007
ENBBC Trophies
Keith Preston (Instrument Technichian
- Fred Rhodes ltd.) displays the new ENBBC trophies
Keith Preston, an instrument technician at Fred Rhodes
Ltd., has designed new trophies and has come up with 4 exciting
‘Cups’ ased on a similar design he crafted for Glyn
Williams which was made from his old Baritone. Jonathon Webster,
MD of Fred Rhodes Ltd. is happy to sponsor these trophies and they
add to the new fresh feel of the contest and to the innovations
promoted in this event.
Results: 2007 English
Nationals
1. Grimethorpe Colliery, Allan Withington
2. Hepworth (Lanson Homes), Mark Bentham
3. PolySteel, Philip Harper
4. Brighouse and Rastrick, Alan Morrison
5. Leyland, Russell Gray
6. Fodens Richardson, Garry Cutt
7. Newstead Welfare, Duncan Beckley
8. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Frank Renton
9. Fairey, Major Peter Parkes
10. Aveley and Newham, Nigel Taken
11. Reg Vardy, Ray Farr
12. YBS Band, Richard Evans
13. Sellers International, Phillip McCann
14. Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts
15. Mount Charles, Andrew Duncan
