Which road for the future?
If the long term decline in audience numbers attending the Championship Section National Final continues, then future journeys made to the Royal Albert Hall each October will certainly be made on ‘A road less travelled by’.
Like Robert Frost’s 1915 poem, Philip Sparke’s test-piece alludes to a ‘continuing journey’, but also to the choices to be made when confronted by the need to change direction, not through indecision, but by inevitability.
Instinctive decisions
For Sparke, those ‘instinctive decisions’ come with what the next new commission asks of the composer – for Kapitol Promotions, perhaps what the accountants reveal as the bottom line in profit or loss.
Just as Frost saw two roads diverge ahead of him on a walk, then Kapitol has been fast approaching a junction point on a path where they will also need to consider the implications a change of direction may bring to future National travel.
All roads still lead to the Royal Albert Hall
Determination
The 2026 Championship this weekend will not be the last to be held at the iconic venue, and with Kapitol working hard to promote the event through a much more proactive appreciation of social media output and marketing, the determination to keep it there is proudly undiminished.
Kapitol working hard to promote the event through a much more proactive appreciation of social media output and marketing, the determination to keep it there is proudly undiminished.
That point still looms though; on one hand maintaining the link to a huge reservoir of tradition, heritage, pride and affection for the Albert Hall – on the other, the cost of doing so. Frost said he was “sorry I could not travel both” – but ultimately even he took the one less travelled by, “And that”, he said, “made all the difference”.
Much to reflect
Much to reflect on then (bands, supporters, and critics alike) as the 20 representatives from the six English regions plus Scotland and Wales, balance musical ambition with budgetary reality as they head on their journey to Kensington Gore.
A rumoured future increase in the prize money may be a popular tweak, with the £2,000 first prize (last increased in 1980) starting to have as much true value as a Man City sponsorship deal.
there will be a lovely presentation made for the first time to the ‘Best Cornet Player’ in honour of the great James Shepherd with his old echo cornet beautifully restored by McQueens in Manchester.
That said, there will be a lovely presentation made for the first time to the ‘Best Cornet Player’ in honour of the great James Shepherd with his old echo cornet beautifully restored by McQueens in Manchester. In addition, there will also be presentations made by the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the Iles Medal to David Thornton and the Harry Mortimer Medal to Ian Raisbeck.
The James Shepherd Memorial Award will be made for the first time (Image: Courtesy - Lorne Campbell)
Extra interest
Extra interest too you hope from the wider world, especially as Grimethorpe Colliery Band are also back in town (for the first time since 2019) to rekindle memories of former glories of when the old Kensington Cake-tin was packed to the rafters and brass bands made the national news.
Grimethorpe Colliery Band are also back in town to rekindle memories of former glories of when the old Kensington Cake-tin was packed to the rafters and brass bands made the national news.
That may be linked to a recall of stereotyped 1980s make-believe on Friday night in accompanying a special 30th anniversary live screening of Grimley Colliery’s famous ‘National’ victory (although filmed at Birmingham Town Hall), but the Albert Hall will be sold-out.
If just 10% of those can be persuaded to return the following day, then what a boost that would be to the real event.
Can some of the full house for Grimely be persuaded to return less than 24 hours later...
Proactive approach
Kapitol will hope so, and their proactive approach in linking to wider connections certainly provided the foundation of the undoubted success of the recent Section 1-4 National Finals in York. If any of that feel-good factor can be harnessed on the weekend, then that will also be another timely boost.
Kapitol will hope so, and their proactive approach in linking to wider connections certainly provided the foundation of the undoubted success of the recent Section 1-4 National Finals in York.
Philip Sparke’s listener-friendly test-piece will also help. As shown at the British Open, people will pay to hear good bands play a fine test piece (especially one of his), even if they have become choosier to whom they listen to.
Hopefully, that will also see them stay to enjoy the short pre-results concert which this year is being headlined by ‘Trivergence Live’ – the trombone trio of Peter Moore, Andy Wood and Mark Nightingale backed by supergroup octet of Isobel Daws, Matt Lewis, Jon Stokes, Sion Jones, Helen Vollam, Andy Cole, Simon Minshall and Dan West.
All star extras...
Intriguing contest day
Before then we have an intriguing day of contesting action to enjoy.
‘A Road Less Travelled By’ certainly tested the bands at the European Championships in Palanga in 2024, and whilst it hasn’t been played a great deal since, it’s been popular with performers and listeners alike – the three linked sections offering scope for technical virtuosity as well as musical refinement.
Judges
A great deal of musical craftsmanship then for the experienced panel of judges to enjoy, compare and contrast, led by Rob Wiffin OBE making his eighth appearance, and third in a row. He will also act as Chairperson and spokesperson.
Alan Morrison makes his fourth appearance and first since 2019. Hugely experienced, he has judged at elite level throughout the UK as well as at the European Championships and many National Championship events. The trio is completed by the welcome return of the vastly experienced Ray Farr to make his second appearance, 14 years after he last took the role in 2012.
As with the British Open, it will take a brave (or foolhardy) person to try their luck in coming up with an alternative theory to why their band didn’t quite end up as high as they hoped for on the day.
As with the British Open, it will take a brave (or foolhardy) person to try their luck in coming up with an alternative theory to why their band didn’t quite end up as high as they hoped for on the day.
It will start at 10.00am with the first of the 20 performances.
Philip Sparke's work will certaibnly test the bands
Draw runes
Much will of course be read into the runes of the draw from the usual banding naysayers, mystics and conspiracy theorists, especially after the British Open was front loaded by a host of fancied runners, yet only Brighouse & Rastrick (who didn’t qualify for this weekend) of the first nine, ended up in the prizes.
Last year only runner-up Black Dyke (7) and Whitburn (fourth off number 3) from the first nine also made a lasting impression with the judges. Desford won from number 15 – and you have to go back to Foden’s in 2018 to find the last single digit winner – and back to Black Dyke in 2009 for the last time one of the first five won.
you have to go back to Foden’s in 2018 to find the last single digit winner – and back to Black Dyke in 2009 for the last time one of the first five won.
Unique experience
As always there will be some bands more familiar with the road travelled to get the Royal Albert Hall than others – from the likes of Black Dyke, Foden’s and Cory to debutants Verwood Concert Brass, Sandhurst Silver and Derwent Brass.
And whilst there will be familiarity for some, for others the event offers a truly unique experience with a lasting personal value that no amount of financial cost can ever erode. Just think of the scenes last year when Desford players rushed back to the hall to celebrate with the famous trophy.
Priceless memories for Desford last year
Defending champion
They return as defending champion, joined by fellow Midlanders in GUS and Derwent, and each potentially benefiting from the extra bit of preparation time offered by not playing at the British Open.
On the other hand that extra bit of Sparke familiarity may well help others - led by Foden’s, who claimed the Open title in superb fashion on ‘Music of the Spheres’. A uber-confident Hepworth (who came sixth) returns as Yorkshire champion this time as they look to claim a second successive mention from the Albert Hall stage.
Approaches to ponder
Others were left to ponder on approaches that didn’t quite, or almost not all, resonate in the box at Symphony Hall, with top-10 finishers Tredegar, Aldbourne and Black Dyke, as well as Flowers, Cory, KNDS Fairey, the cooperation band, Grimethorpe and EverReady all looking to gain prize winning recognition here.
All though will be determined to add their name to the long list of Royal Albert Hall Champions and become part of the history of an event, that despite its future challenges, remains at the pinnacle of the domestic banding movement.
Kirkintilloch (making their first appearance since 2013) and pre-qualified Whitburn also make the journey south in joining NASUWT Riverside in a service station along the way, whilst the trio of debutants in Derwent, Verwood Concert and Sandhurst are joined by Zone One Brass, who may only need to stop-off for a quick ‘Pret A Manger’ sandwich to fuel their journey to Kensington.
All though will be determined to add their name to the long list of Royal Albert Hall Champions and become part of the history of an event, that despite its future challenges, remains at the pinnacle of the domestic banding movement.
That remains priceless.
Iwan Fox
The contest kicks off at 10.00am (doors open at 9.15am) with the first of the performances from the competing bands below:
Test piece: A Road Less Travelled By (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Ray Farr; Alan Morrison; Prof. Rob Wiffin OBE
Aldbourne (Glyn Williams)
Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
Cory (Philip Harper)
Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff)
Desford Colliery (David Morton)
EverReady (Stephen Roberts)
Flowers (Paul Holland)
Foden’s (Russell Gray)
Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington)
GUS Band (Christopher Bond)
Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
Kirkintilloch (Christopher Binns)
KNDS Fairey (Philip Chalk)
NASUWT Riverside (Richard Marshall)
Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck)
the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella-Wheeler)
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
Whitburn (Chris Shanks)
Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
