National test pieces announced

12-May-2010
The set works for the Albert Hall and Harrogate have been released by the National organisers Kapitol Promotions.

The set works chosen for the 2010 National Championships of Great Britain have been announced by Kapitol Promotions.

Championship Section:

Martin Ellerby’s 'Terra Australis', written in 2005 through a commission by the Yorkshire Building Society Band for its tour to Australia, has been chosen as the Championship Section work.

Premiered at Sydney Opera House, its first performance in the UK was given by the band, under Professor King, at the RNCM Festival of Brass in 2006.

First Section:

The First Section bands will have to get to grips with George Lloyd’s 'Diversions on a Bass Theme', which was initially commissioned with funds provided by the Bass Brewers for the 1986 Mineworkers’ National Brass Band contest.

It has subsequently been used as a top section set work for the Regional Championships in 1987 and as the British Open set work in 1998.

''Terra Australis' was premiered at Sydney Opera House, whilst its first performance in the UK was given by the band, under Professor King, at the RNCM Festival of Brass in 2006'

~ 4BR

Second Section:

One of Professor Wilby’s most recent works, 'Psalms and Alleluias' will test the bands at the International Conferecen Centre in the Second Section.

The piece was commissioned in 2008 for the National Children’s Band of Great Britain and also selected as the set work for Second Section bands at the 16th World Music Contest in Kerkrade in 2009.

Third Section:

'Willow Pattern' by Philip Harper will be the test awaiting the bands in the Third Section in Harrogate.

The work describes the story behind blue and white designs found on chinaware, which was exported in huge numbers to the UK during the last two centuries.

The work was first performed at the Black Dyke Festival in May 2009.

Fourth Section:

'A Royal Mile Suite' by Alan Fernie is the set work for the Fourth Section.

It was first used as the set work for the Third Section of the Dutch Brass Band Championships in 1997 and again in the Third Section at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in 2006.

The four parts of this expressive suite reflect the atmosphere and character of Edinburgh's High Street, the Royal Mile. The parts are entitled: At the Palace Gates, Holyrood Park, Jenny Ha's Reel and March: Castrum Dun Edin.

Further inforamtion:

For further information on the test pieces go to:
http://www.kapitol.co.uk/