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2012 English National Championships — Introduction to Preston

The English National Championship continues to try and hog the limelight — even in Preston.

Guild Hall
Looking up...

All roads lead to Preston Guild Hall on Saturday; including the ones which will see the crowds gather on mass to witness the arrival of the Olympic Torch just a few hours before the English National Championship starts at 10.00am.

With its never ending train of no-nonsense police outriders and chubby evangelical cheerleaders dishing out free bottles of sponsored ‘healthy’ Coca-Cola, it resembles a 21st century commercialised version of Eleanor of Castille’s Stations of the Cross.

Nightmare

However, it also means that getting to the Guild Hall to hear eight top class bands battle for a place in Oslo next year could be a bit of a logistical nightmare if you leave your own travel arrangements a bit late.

If it’s fine, Preston’s high streets could be jam packed for a celebratory parade for the first time since the football team won the double in 1889.

Make sure you leave home early then.   

Long way

Hopefully, quite a few of those people will also make the trip over to the Guild Hall to enjoy an English National contest that has come a long way since its inception in 2006.

The BFBB has done a great deal to try and make it an attractive event – including the decision to copy the European format of set work/own choice. 

Unfortunately though, it still remains a contest that has yet to fully spark the imagination of English brass band punters.

Once more it finds itself between something of a financial rock and a hard place, as many bands start weighing up the benefits of attending what they believe is nothing more than an irrelevant qualification round for a contest they ultimately cannot afford to compete at.

BFBB Logo
The BFBB is working hard to make its presence felt in Preston

Relieved

The BFBB will have therefore been relieved that Black Dyke took the admirable decision to defend their title despite claiming the European trophy in Rotterdam a few months back.

Whether or not they will be joined in Oslo by a newly crowned English Champion next year, or a band that has ended as runner up here, is open to debate.

At around £25,000, the European trip is a financial expense few of Dyke’s competitors can afford nowadays, despite the £4,000 first prize and £1,000 of sponsors help.

Perhaps the happiest band in Preston (if the contest goes to form) may well be the one that comes third.

Time and money


That would be a pity, as the BFBB has invested a great deal of time, energy and money into keeping this event alive.

Despite the setbacks (from fair weather sponsors to England’s 2006 fair weather World Cup exit), they have battled to give the contest an identity and purpose that is more than a side show to a main event – even the Olympic Torch.

Coverage

4BR will in Preston to cover the action as it unfolds, with our live coverage coupled to out tracker feed and Twitter, images, interviews, results and post contest analysis and debate.

The format will see the eight competing bands take to the stage at 10.00am to perform the set work, ‘Masquerade’ by Philip Wilby, with the own choice selections starting 1 hour after the last band has played.
 
Entrance admission for Adults is £15 with children at £5. The box office will open at 9.00am.



Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


East London Brass

October 20 • Due to relocation, following on from our appearance at the national finals at the Albert Hall, qualification to the Senior Cup and winning the LSC Area, ELB are looking for a first class TROMBONE player to join our friendly and ambitious band.


East London Brass

October 20 • Due to relocation, following on from our appearance at the national finals at the Albert Hall, qualification to the Senior Cup and winning the LSC Area, ELB are looking for a first class PRINCIPAL CORNET player to join our friendly and ambitious band.


Hathersage Band

October 17 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

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