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Eric and Albert — from 1945 to 2009.

Ball
 

Strange as it may seem but it is now 33 years since we last heard a piece of music by Eric Ball played at the Championship National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.

Enigma

In 2003 bands played his arrangement of some of the variations from Elgar’s ‘Enigma’ – but you have to go back to the 1976 for the last time one of his compositions was actually played.

Wayfarer

That year Black Dyke took the honours on ‘Sinfonietta – The Wayfarer’ – the third time since 1945 that they had won on an Eric Ball piece at the Finals.

Eric Ball enjoyed the atmosphere of the Albert Hall – his introductory note to ‘Kensington Concerto’ certainly showed that, and the facts also show that he made more appearances here than just about anyone except Vera Lynn and Eric Clapton.

Test pieces

His test pieces were as follows:

1956: Festival Music
1967: Journey into Freedom
1969: High Peak
1972: Kensington Concerto
1976: Sinfonietta – The Wayfarer

Curiously, he also conducted four consecutive performances in one go at the 1950 contest — bringing three bands into the prizes4BR

Judge

In addition he judged at the contest 13 times too – from 1960 to his last appearance in 1983.

Then he also conducted 24 bands from 1945 to 1958, including the winners, Brighouse & Rastrick in 1946.

Curious

Curiously he also conducted four bands in succession at the 1950 contest (Ransome, CWS (Manchester), Brighouse & Rastrick and City of Coventry drawn 6,7, 8 & 9) bringing three into the prizes – the longest single conducting appearance at the Nationals since the War.

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Syndey

Report & Results: 2025 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships

April 20 • Sydney City becomes the inaugural Premier Championships of Australia as senior National titles head to Footscray-Yarraville City, Cairns Brass No. 1, Wonthaggi Citizensand City of Ballarat Municipal Brass.


Wobplay

Wobplay offers global opportunities at Euros

April 19 • There will be plenty of advertising opportunities for businesses as part of the comprehensive weekend of live-broadcast action from the European Championships in Stavanger.


Russell Gray

Gray to host double conducting seminars

April 19 • Aspiring conductors can enjoy the opportunity to work alongside Russell Gray in Scotland and Norway next month as he hosts his Conducting Seminars in Bathgate and Askoy.


Siusa

Jena pride at Sousa inclusion

April 19 • Jose Sousa will become the fifth young player from the Jena Brass Band Centre in Germany to represent the nation as part of the European Youth Brass Band.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Saturday 10 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Linthwaite Band

April 21 • Linthwaite Band is a 4th section contesting Band , with a busy Summer of engagements coming up, and are looking to complete our friendly team, with a back row 2nd cornet player, and are keen to fill the position as soon as possible.


Chinnor Silver

April 21 • Required Percussion and Bass players (Eb or Bb). We are a friendly and ambitious band and have successfully qualified for the second section national finals and also earned promotion to the 1st section in 2026. Come along and help complete our happy team


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

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